Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The FAO Representation in Ghana is the body in charge of ensuring liaison between FAO and the Government of Ghana and is the first port of call for analyzing and appraising government assistance requests; identifying, formulating, implementing and monitoring all FAO programmes and projects; managing all phases of the project cycle for national projects for which operational and budget holder responsibilities have been assigned by the Technical Cooperation Department; identifying opportunities for collaboration, and mobilizing technical and operational support from the Regional Office, Headquarters and other funding sources as appropriate.

FAO Ghana’s programme of work is guided by the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2023-2025. In line with Priority 3 of the CPF - Increased resilience to climate change through sustainable natural resource management, ecosystem services, anticipatory action, and climate justice - and aligned with its mandate and comparative advantage, FAO works on enhancing disaster risk reduction (DRR), to protect food security and agriculture, amongst others through early warning and anticipatory action interventions.

The Government of Ghana and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations are current implementing various initiatives in this area. The projects “Strengthening Resilience of Vulnerable Communities in Northern Ghana Through Climate-Resilience” (GCP/GHA/043/NOR) and “ Increasing climate resilience and improving farmers livelihoods in Ghana’s Upper East region” (OSRO/GHA/042/CAN), will 1) Strengthen multi-hazard early warning systems and anticipatory actions mechanisms, and 2) Strengthen capacities of key stakeholders and communities on DRR in agriculture in the Upper East and Savannah regions. Furthermore, FAO is supporting the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to develop a comprehensive National DRR Strategy and Action plan.

Reporting Lines

The Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for Ghana in close collaboration with the Programme/Operations/Administrative Units and in consultation with the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and other relevant Technical Units in the Regional Office for Africa (RAF), Sub- Regional Office for Western Africa (SFW) and headquarters.

Technical Focus 

The DRR Specialist will support Early Warning (EW) and Anticipatory Action (AA) programmes and activities in Ghana, including but not limited to 1) disaster risk knowledge; 2) observation, monitoring, analysis, and forecasting; 3) warning dissemination and communication; 4) preparedness, anticipatory action and response capabilities. The Specialist will work across all components, including planning, implementation, and the development of products and services to contribute to the development and use of risk information and its application into the decision-making processes for anticipatory actions based on early warnings. The Specialist will also play a role in the implementation of the Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative to ensure that EW information is used to inform policy planning, investing and budgeting decisions in humanitarian and development interventions.

The DRR Specialist will also contribute to resource mobilization, partnerships, outreach and representation for FAO Ghana. This includes identifying strategic partnerships, foster internal dialogues, engage in external consultations and support the development of integrated and impactful programmes in line with FAO’s Strategic Framework.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Support the planning and implementation of DRR activities and initiatives for FAO Ghana, specifically:
o    Lead the development of a National DRR strategy (including detailed Action plan) for Ghana, including but not limited to: draft work plan, conduct situation analysis, draft the strategy, and conduct consultations with all relevant actors.
o    Support the technical planning and implementation of Early Warning and Anticipatory Action components of the projects “Strengthening Resilience of Vulnerable Communities in Northern Ghana Through Climate-Resilience” (GCP/GHA/043/NOR) and “ Increasing climate resilience and improving farmers livelihoods in Ghana’s Upper East region” (OSRO/GHA/042/CAN).
•    Support the technical design and enhancement of national Early Warning and Anticipatory Action mechanisms and contribute to technical consultations with stakeholders and within FAO technical and policy process.
•    Conduct Early Warning and Anticipatory Action assessments and analysis, coordinates in-country early warning alerts and further coordination with partners.
•    Contribute to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. project profiles, full-fledged documents, analyses, as well
as ad-hoc reports related to FAO Ghana work on DRR (inc. EW and AA)
•    Contribute to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
•    Provide advice on the development of national policies, strategies, protocols and guidelines on DRR (inc. EW and AA) 
•    Participates in capacity building activities, such as trainings, workshops and seminars, and makes presentations on DRR (inc. EW and AA) as required.
•    Supports and participates in field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.
•    In close collaboration with FAO Ghana Team members, identifies and promotes partnerships within and beyond the
UN family.
•    At the request of the supervisor, represents FAO in platforms and advocate for FAO’s mandate, interventions and technical
leadership.
•    Perform any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced University Degree in disaster risk reduction, environmental science, agriculture, (agro-)meteorology, natural resource management, or a related field.
•    Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, agriculture and/or program management.
•    National of Ghana
•    Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work 
•    Expertise in Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning
•    Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills
•    Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement and facilitation
•    Strong understanding of international Disaster Risk Reduction Frameworks and Ghana’s context of Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning
•    Solid experience, knowledge, and understanding of concepts, principles, and approaches in Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning.
•    Ability to plan, organize and develop clear goals 
•    Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish effective partnerships
•    Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures is an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION