Regional Anticipatory Action, Senior Officer | Opened to all MENA Nationals

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

Building on the IFRC network’s experience in disaster preparedness and community early warning systems, the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre (RCCC) and German Red Cross piloted forecast-based financing (FbF) starting in 2014. FbF is an innovative approach that enables the automatic release of funds ahead of a hazard’s impact based on risk analysis and forecasts. In May 2018, IFRC launched the first global funding mechanism designed to fund forecast-based action as part of the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), called Forecast-based Action by the DREF, representing a critical turning point in making early action possible. Since the establishment of the FbA by the DREF, the mechanism has approved 17 Early Action Protocols (EAPs), out of which seven have been triggered, with an additional 38 EAPs under development. Currently, 38 National Societies around the world are engaging in forecast-based financing. Due to a changing landscape of anticipatory action and in order to meet the needs for scaling up, IFRC is simplifying and expanding the tools available for National Societies to access pre-agreed funding for anticipatory action, including to hazards beyond weather-related hazards. The scale-up will also be boosted by directly supporting the development of early action plans and initiatives.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the IFRC MENA regional disaster risk management coordinator, the regional Anticipatory Action Senior officer is the IFRC focal point for anticipatory action in the MENA region with a particular focus on supporting the implementation of the Anticipatory action initiatives and programmes in the region will help to set up and implement anticipatory action / FbF systems in the region, whilst representing IFRC in regional coordination platforms such as the Anticipatory Action Community of Practice of the MENA region. The post-holder will provide guidance to National Societies and IFRC teams implementing anticipatory action initiatives and liaise with the HDCC teams, Climate Centre and partners to ensure proper integration of the anticipatory action and FbF approach in other thematic functions in the HDCC unit.

The Regional Anticipatory Action Senior Officer will provide timely and high-quality support and technical advice on the eligibility of forecast-based early action described in the approval and management process for Early Action Protocols (EAPs) submitted to the fund and assure its coherence with the DREF.  Will facilitate tailored technical support to MENA National Societies and IFRC delegations in MENA on the anticipatory action approaches, methodologies and tools, incorporating the latest technical developments and lessons learned from the sector on forecast-based Action/Forecast-based Financing (FBA/FBF)

The Anticipatory Action senior officer position will work in a cross-functional and integrated manner with different IFRC technical units, ensuring close cooperation with reference centers (Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and Anticipation Hub), Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP), partner national societies, and other Movement/non-movement partners to ensure proper integration of the anticipatory action in other thematic functions as relevant. Whilst representing IFRC in regional coordination platforms related to anticipatory action, the specialist will also seek close collaboration with the science community and academic institutions.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Technical Support

• Provide technical support to National Societies and IFRC Delegations in the MENA region (prioritizing those countries with existing programs) for the implementation of anticipatory action disaster risk management initiatives and operations:
• Monitor and follow up on the implementation of FbF projects in the MENA region in coordination with relevant partner National Societies (PNSs), UN agencies and disaster risk management (DRM) stakeholders.
• Provide technical support and guidance to IFRC and National Societies (NS) in implementing anticipatory action, including FbF projects and other tools, including advice on the FbF methodology and providing technical support for the development of Early Action Protocols (EAP) and other early action plans, through workshops and collaboration with relevant stakeholders (NS, Climate Centre, Anticipation Hub, partners, government agencies, including national hydro-meteorological services, disaster management and sectoral agencies etc.)
• Facilitate and support the development and implementation of the MENA regional anticipatory action work plans and provide technical support and guidance to NS and IFRC delegations in the MENA Region in a coordinated manner in line with their own strategies, the IFRC Operational Framework for Scaling Up Anticipatory Action, Strategy 2030, IFRC’s policies and plans as well as with regional plans.
• Provide technical support for the integration of anticipatory action into existing regional and Disaster Risk Management plans and contingency and response plans/systems, aligned with broader NS initiatives to strengthen their response and preparedness mechanism (PER).
• Promote understanding of anticipatory action terminologies, tools, quality criteria and approaches including an increased understanding of FbA by the DREF in the region.
• Monitor and follow up on the implementation of RCRC-led FbF projects in the MENA region in coordination with relevant partner National Societies (PNSs), UN agencies, and disaster risk management (DRM) stakeholders
• Lead on project management of FBA by the DREF mechanisms, including supporting the EAP validation process in close collaboration with IFRC delegations and the DREF focal point in the region.
• Coordinate, lead, and support joint initiatives, including scoping of feasibility studies, risk and vulnerability assessments, and/or capacity assessments and/or stakeholder mappings that form the base for the design of FbF mechanism for national/sub-national levels.
• Promote increased understanding of anticipatory action terminologies, tools, quality criteria, and approaches.
• Analyze, coordinate, and support the feasibility of implementing anticipatory action in contexts of Fragility, Conflict & Violence (FCV) in close collaboration and coordination with interested partners.
• Provide technical support to NS and Movement partners in the implementation of the anticipatory action plans to ensure strong linkages with the Preparedness for Effective Response approach and the wider Disaster Risk Management streams.
• Provide technical support for the implementation of the Disaster Risk Management Plan of Action of the MENA region and relevant in connection with the anticipatory action.

Coordination and advocacy

• Contribute to the strategic development of anticipatory action in the MENA Region:
• Lead the development of a strategic plan on anticipatory action in the MENA region.
• Regularly update the HDCC of ongoing anticipatory action initiatives, including EAP progress, to ensure activities are closely linked and coordinated with wider national disaster risk management stakeholders.
• Liaise with RCRC and interagency partners, private sector, and other relevant stakeholders on anticipatory action/FbF mechanisms and technical platforms in place throughout the region to ensure good coordination and identify potential synergies and partnerships.
• Liaise with other thematic teams such as CVA, Operations coordination, Climate & resilience, Health & care, Migration, communications, Finance among others on the implementation of the Anticipatory action Plans of NS related to those areas of work.
• Support National Societies to advocate for anticipatory action scale-up mechanisms, plans and strategies in line with national DRM laws and other relevant policies.
• Contribute to planning and resource mobilization, e.g. prepare concept notes, lead/participate in anticipatory action related project/program proposal development.
• Advise NS, partners and IFRC delegations in MENA on a common approach for integrating the anticipatory action into their DRM streams and other strategies.

Learning and Knowledge Management

• Compile and share the learning and available analysis from the region with the anticipation hub, especially in the MENA region section.
• Build and support evidence basis and capture learning from on-going FbF initiatives for the institutionalization of anticipatory action with national and local governments as well as other key stakeholders.
• Facilitate capacity building and knowledge sharing for anticipatory action/FbF initiatives and processes, including training, at regional and national levels.
• Provide timely updates and advise on scientific and technical developments, trends, best practices, areas for improvement, and lessons learned.
• the Support the RCRC and external partners in MENA to regularly update and share their evidence-informed Anticipatory Action advocacy strategies and action plans for a coordinated approach in the region.
• Coordinate and support RCRC participation and/or represent at relevant platforms on Anticipatory action and EWEA.
• Support and contribute to the preparation of the regional anticipatory action Community of practice and support the Dialogue Platforms together with IFRC offices, key Partners, and the Climate Centre, including technical content on behalf of IFRC MENA Region.
• Contribute to the lessons learnt processes on improving the relevance and effectiveness of the Anticipatory Action, and document achievements and lessons learnt (e.g. from FbF programs and operations in order to i) input to global methodologies and ii) develop case studies, lessons learnt and other knowledge and advocacy products.
• Promote and support monitoring and evaluation of anticipatory action planned interventions in the region integrated in the DRM field.

Planning and reporting

• Support monthly, quarterly, biannual, and annual plans and reports.
• Provide feedback and quality assurance to IFRC offices in the region on annual operational plans with the aim of ensuring the integration and scaling up of anticipatory action.
• Participate in operations meetings, providing technical and scientific information related to FbF and early action planning.
• Provide technical support to develop, and monitor project proposals and project related to Anticipatory Action in the MENA region.
• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals.
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Education

• Relevant post-graduate university degree in disaster management, international foreign affairs. - Required
• Basic Delegates Training Course (BTC), WORC, IMPACT or equivalent knowledge. - Preferred
• Technical training in disaster risk management and/or response preparedness. - Required
• Technical training in climate science, contingency planning and/or disaster risk financing mechanisms. - Preferred.

Experience

• 3-5 years’ experience in the humanitarian sector, related to disaster risk management, institutional preparedness capacity strengthening and emergency response operations. - Required
• 2 years’ experience in anticipatory humanitarian action. - Preferred
• Good understanding of the IFRC. - Preferred
• Good understanding of the global humanitarian environment. - Required
• Experience in coordinating with the authorities and other humanitarian actors. - Required
• Experience in narrative and financial reporting and proposal writing. - Required
• Experience in the MENA region. - Required
• Knowledge, Skills and Languages
• Excellent communication, organization, and facilitation skills. - Required
• Self-sufficient in computers (Email, Internet, spread sheets, word-processing, etc.) - Required
• Skills in developing and training staff. - Required
• Skills in negotiation and building relations. - Required
• Fluently spoken and written English and Arabic. - Required 
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish). - Preferred 

Competencies, Values and Comments

VALUES:

• Respect for diversity.
• Integrity.
• Professionalism.
• Accountability

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Communication.
• Collaboration and Teamwork.
• Judgement and Decision Making.
• National Societies and Customer Relations.
• Creativity and Innovation.
• Building Trust.

MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES:

• Managing Staff Performance.
• Managing Staff Development.
• Strategic Orientation.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic Orientation.
• Leadership.
• Empowering Others.

Any nationals across MENA can apply and the duty station of the position will be confirmed upon selection of the successful candidate.

IFRC Provides equal employment opportunities