Early Warning Capacity Building Assistant job at Food and Agriculture Organization

About the Organization

FAO and Uganda have a long history of cooperation. The Organization’s technical assistance in the country began as early as 1959 in the areas of aquaculture development and livestock disease control. Cooperation has increased since the opening of FAO’s representation in 1981, with interventions comprising national policy and programme formulation, agricultural and rural development projects, and emergency and rehabilitation assistance. More recently, emphasis has been given to building resilience to the effects of climate change.

FAO’s cooperation with Uganda Government is shaped by the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2015-2019, jointly developed with the Government and other partners.

The CPF is a joint framework which forms the basis for strategic cooperation over the next five years between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of the Republic of Uganda. The CPF is fully aligned with national and regional development priorities as well as the UN Development Assistance Framework for Uganda.

Over the years, the stature and influence of FAO in Uganda has grown considerably. Currently, the country programme comprises well over 20 projects with a combined budget of close to 80 million USD, which makes FAO one of Uganda’s significant development partners. FAO projects are mainly field-based, addressing on-ground pertinent issues.

Until 2010, FAO’s support programme emphasized emergency and rehabilitation following two decades of insurgency in Northern and North Eastern Uganda. The current CPF however, focuses more on long-term development objectives aimed at revitalizing agricultural production and productivity and spurring economic development for the country.

FAO Uganda therefore falls under the Development Programme. FAO’s development interventions aim to support and build resilient agriculture-based livelihoods. Our interventions focus on crops, livestock, fisheries, forestry and their interaction with the environment, Climate change and building resilience. Further, FAO gives guidance in drafting effective legislation and creating national strategies to achieve transformational development and alleviate hunger.

Job Description

Support DLG personnel, particularly the District Early Warning Focal Person (DEWFP) and the District Heads of Department (DHOD), and other key stakeholders as applicable on all aspects of multi-hazard early warning bulletin production, including but not limited to:

Duties and Responsibilities

Support DLG personnel, particularly the District Early Warning Focal Person (DEWFP) and the District Heads of Department (DHOD), and other key stakeholders as applicable on all aspects of multi-hazard early warning bulletin production, including but not limited to:
Timely, accurate and quality data collection at the district and parish level for hazard (impact) monitoring and surveillance
Analysis and interpretation of collected data and remote sensing data.
Developing of early warning message and advisories and compiling of bulletins
Timely dissemination of the Early Warning Bulletins to key stakeholders and communities
In consultation with the Early Warning System Specialist and the Program Officer/Head of Moroto Office, build the capacity of District Local Government (DLG) personnel and other key stakeholders as applicable on all aspects of the MHEWS (day-to-day capacity building, dedicated trainings, etc.)
Support institutionalization of the MHEWS by working closely with DLGs and advocate for the inclusion of the MHEWS in the district development plans and district budgets. Identify other barriers against/gaps in independently producing and disseminating multi-hazard early warning information by districts, develop measures to address these barriers, and implement measures in close collaboration with the districts and other key stakeholders.
Support installation and effective running of agro-meteorological stations, to ensure reliable data is available for monthly multi-hazard analysis.
Support public awareness and capacity building programme at district and community level to effectively utilize climate risk information. Specifically undertake the following:
Engage with local communities to raise awareness about early warning systems and disaster preparedness.
Conduct field visits to assess the effectiveness of early warning systems at the community level.
Gather feedback from community members to improve the functionality and impact of MHEWS.
Participate coordination meetings, field missions with project partners, stakeholders and collaborators and report accordingly.
Submit monthly progress briefs and make input to technical reports as required.
Perform any other duties as required.

Qualification, Experiences and Competencies

University Degree in agro-meteorology, meteorology, hydrology, agriculture, natural resources management, environmental sciences, disaster risk reduction, or related fields from a recognized University
A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in in agriculture, disaster risk management (including early warning systems, anticipatory action), vulnerability analysis, and/or information technology
Working knowledge of English
National of Uganda

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

Extent and relevance of experience in disaster risk reduction and management (including early warning), food security and/or agricultural meteorology
Extent and relevance of experience in data collection, analysis, reporting and dissemination
Extent and relevance of experience in organizing and conducting trainings at local government level
Extent and relevance of experience in building partnerships with government and development or humanitarian actors
Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
Ability to ride a motor Bike
Working knowledge of a local language spoken in Karamoja (e.g. Ng’karimojong, Ethur or Kiswahili/Pokot) is desirable
Demonstrated ability to open to innovative approaches and new practices.
Ability to deliver project outputs in a timely manner with high standard quality.
Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills within team and with external stakeholders.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

How to Apply

To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualification
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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