DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS19 March 2025-23:59-GMT-04:00 Atlantic Standard Time (Barbados)
WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.
ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme is the worldโs largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.
To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.
WHY JOIN WFP?
WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
In 2018, WFP re-established its presence in the Caribbean with an office in Barbados. The WFP Caribbean Multiยญ-Country Office supports 22 countries and territories across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. WFP Caribbean's capacity strengthening programme focuses on vulnerability analysis and mapping; end-to-end supply chain management; shock-responsive social protection; food systems strengthening; and climate risk financing. In times of crisis, WFP works with partners to provide direct assistance when events surpass national and regional capacities by delivering food, cash or voucher assistance, or through emergency logistics or emergency service provision. The purpose of the assignment is to support the WFP Caribbean Multi-Country Office with developing and implementing a Forecast-Based Financing/Anticipatory Action (FBF/AA) project for the Caribbean, under the framework of the WFP Caribbean Disaster Risk Finance Strategy.
Job Purpose:
The Anticipatory Action Officer will be the main focal point within WFP Caribbean Multi-Country Office for anything related to Early Warning and Anticipatory Action (EW&AA). The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the Programme Policy Officer โ Disaster Risk Management. It will include fostering linkages with other Multiยญ-Country Office programming related to social protection, supply chain and, climate resilience, food systems and disaster risk financing. The Anticipatory Action Officer will help further support the WFP Caribbean Multi-Country Office with developing and implementing a Forecast-Based Financing/Anticipatory Action strategy for the Caribbean under the framework of the WFP Caribbean Disaster Risk Finance Strategy. The incumbent will work closely with governments and other relevant stakeholders (CDEMA, UNDRR, FAO, UN agencies, IFRC, (I)NGOs) to ensure harmonized approaches. This entails the development of a coherent concept that identifies the types of risk on which to focus, the funding mechanisms might be tapped into (CERF, GCF, etc.), identifying pre-defined triggers, and the type of support WFP would be able to provide as part of a wider multi-sectoral response. The Anticipatory Action Officer will also represent the CO vis-ร -vis the convening of regional meetings and explore other areas where EW&AA activities could be implemented.
The role will also entail providing strategic and operational inputs to climate fund proposals and national and regional strategies, as well as fostering partnerships with governments, regional actors, and stakeholders.
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Engage with different stakeholders such as government partners (agricultural, meteorological, disaster management, social protection), UN agencies, Red Cross, NGOs, and other regional entities to develop and validate technically sound thresholds, (seasonal) forecast triggers and anticipatory actions for climate-related hazards.
- Lead and contribute to the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Anticipatory Action Plans (AAPs) for Forecast-based Financing, which will include anticipatory actions, timeline, costs, forecast triggers, thresholds, stakeholders, targeting and the associated early warnings.
- Provide technical leadership for implementation of anticipatory actions, when triggered, in collaboration with governments to mitigate the risk of drought/tropical storms and other climate risks on food security.
- Liaise with social protection, CBT, RAM and preparedness colleagues to ensure forecast based funding/anticipatory action approach is streamlined and compliments already existing efforts and strategies.
- Review current SOPs and communication structures (vertical and horizontal) for hurricane and drought risks and make suggestions for potential improvements to strengthen early warning, preparedness, and anticipatory actions at different levels.
- Prepare concept notes and draft Anticipatory Action Plans (AAP) for countries of interest as covered by the Multiยญ-Country Office.
- Collaborate with RAM in the engagement of national, regional and global institutions with regards to capacity building of national meteorological services.
- Collaborate with CDEMA to develop, convene and co-lead a technical working group on anticipatory action.
- Represent WFP at regional and global forums related to early warning and anticipatory action.
- Support the Programme Policy Officer โ Disaster risk management in other areas related to climate finance and disaster risk financing such as the Green, Climate Funds, Adaptation Fund, insurance, contingency funds and other risk financing instruments.
OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS (details to be determined by Post Managers):
WFP provides emergency response support to the 22 English and Dutch-speaking countries in the Caribbean. In this role, the incumbent may be required to:
- Support the Unit's emergency response activities.
- Deploy to affected countries to assist with operations as required.
- Work beyond regular working hours as needed.
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
- Support the development of a strategy to advance anticipatory action in the Caribbean which builds on existing work in the region with regards to the development of a forecast based funding mechanism, development of thresholds and anticipatory actions, exploring forecasting capacities, exploring lead time required to ensure readiness actions can be implemented and exploring the cost of action vs. inaction in deciding when to act.
- Lessons learned document on the design of the anticipatory action programme which is in place between the Government of Saint Lucia and WFP.
- Pilot an anticipatory action programme for drought in Belize.
- Finalize a report on fiscal space analysis and options for an anticipatory action fund in the Caribbean.
- Regional workshop on anticipatory action for the Caribbean convened by WFP and workshop report.
- Support to regional and national workshops for forecast based funding.
- Project implementation effectively managed based on relevant results framework
- Technical exchanges conducted with key partners and governments
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education: Advanced university degree in climate change, environment, earth sciences, geography, climatology, disaster risk reduction/management, natural resource management, food security, agriculture, or related fields.
Experience:
- Demonstrated, progressively responsible work experience on designing and implementing climate risk management and/or climate change adaptation interventions at national or community levels.
- Experience in forecast-based financing.
- Experience with programmes in the food security, agricultural and/or rural sector is desirable.
- Experience in engaging with a range of actors from Government agencies, UN agencies, NGOs, academic, and the private sector.
- Experience in designing contingency plans, setting up multi- stakeholder processes and establishing and maintaining partnerships.
- Experience with design and/or implementation of climate finance proposals/projects, such as with the Green Climate Fund or Adaptation Fund is desirable.
- Experience in providing support to national government policy/planning processes that address climate change impacts on food security and nutrition is considered an asset.
- Desired: Experience in small island developing states; experience in the Caribbean; and climate and disaster risk financing and insurance.
Knowledge & Skills
- In depth understanding of food systems, climate adaptation, and resilience strategies.
- Excellent ability to coordinate across multiple units and organizations.
- Ability to write clear and concise reports.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Proven team building and leadership skills.
- Experience inputting into climate fund proposals (e.g. Green Climate Fund).
- Has experience on strengthening smallholder farmers access to markets.
Languages: Fluency (level C) in both oral and written communication in English.
Who Can Apply?
- This position is open to all candidates meeting the required qualifications and experience. Please be advised that we will only reach out to candidates who have been shortlisted for this position.
Employment Particulars
- Type of position: Short Term, Full Time
- Type of Contact: Consultancy
- Duration on Contract: 11 months.
- Duty Station: Bridgetown, Barbados
- Remuneration: WFP offers a competitive compensation package determines on the basis of the Terms of Reference and the selected candidate's qualifications and experience.
- Travel Requirements: The WFP Caribbean Office cover the 22 English and Dutch speaking Caribbean countries. The selected candidate may be required to travel from time to time, both regionally and internationally, to support missions, emergency responses, training etc. As such full medical clearance will be required.
WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.
Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: global.inclusion@wfp.org
NO FEE DISCLAIMER
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.
- This position is open to all candidates meeting the required qualifications and experience. Please be advised that we will only reach out to candidates who have been shortlisted for this position.