Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) Adviser (Ireland) At Concern Worldwide

Job Description

Concern Worldwide is a non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. Concern is headquartered in Dublin with other principal offices in London, New York, Belfast, Seoul and in each of the countries of operation. We work in partnership with the very poorest people in these countries, directly enabling them to improve their lives, as well as using our knowledge and experience to influence decisions made at a local, national and international level that can significantly reduce extreme poverty.

Enhanced Responses to Nutrition Emergencies (ERNE) Programme (2020-2023):

The Enhanced Responses to Nutrition Emergencies (ERNE) Programme is a 3-year programme being implemented by Concern with funding from DG ECHO under an innovative Pilot Programmatic Partnership (PPP) in five countries in Africa (DRC, Ethiopia, Niger, South Sudan and Sudan). The programme links emergency and development through an integrated approach. Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) is a key component of the programme. This involves the setup and implementation of a community-based Early Warning System (EWS) in the programme areas of each country which will be linked to early actions and emergency cash distribution interventions aimed at preventing further deterioration of malnutrition.

Job Title: Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) Adviser

Reports to: ERNE Global Programme Coordinator

Liaises with: Country Offices within the ERNE programme, International Programmes Directorate, Strategy, Advocacy and Learning (SAL) Directorate, Emergency Directorate and Communications Directorate, DRR Advisor

Manages: N/A

Job location: Dublin (currently fully remote with a move to a hybrid working model as the pandemic eases)

Pay Band: Ireland: Pay Band 5

Contract: 18 months

Job Purpose:

The purpose of this 18 month position is to support the delivery of the EWEA component of the ERNE programme. The EWEA Advisor will advise on and support the monitoring of early warning information; guide the establishment of triggers for early action with country teams and define appropriate courses of actions according to triggers set; support preparedness for cash-based early action responses; and monitoring to ensure that the system is functional and fit for purpose. The Advisor will also play a critical role in documenting learning from the component.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide ongoing technical support and advice to ERNE programme staff on the setup and operation of early warning systems including identifying appropriate indicators and triggers for action
• Supporting community engagement approach to EWEA in the programme countries (e.g. establishment of community resilience committees, community level monitoring of information)
• Support countries to identify the type of early warning information to be monitored per country and programme area, including sources of information and frequency of monitoring.
• Ensure each country has a documented implementation plan for EWEA which is aligned to the joint programme framework
• Develop harmonised technical guidance and tools to guide implementation across the five programme countries and facilitate consolidated learning.
• Liaise with the Social Protection and Safety Nets and Cash and Market Advisers; and the Supply Chain and Logistics Unit to ensure that technical support on cash transfers, including market and risk analysis to select the most appropriate transfer mechanism, preparedness including beneficiary selection, developing framework agreements, risk management and monitoring is in line with organisational guidelines and incorporated in EWEA actions
• Conduct field visits, provide remote support, build technical capacity of Concern and partner staff in the EWEA components of the ERNE programme in conjunction with relevant technical advisers across the organisation.
• Develop and support the cross-country EWEA Learning strategy (in conjunction with the ERNE Learning and Advocacy Advisor)
• Compile, synthesise and document high quality practical evidence and learning (e.g. case studies) within individual countries and across all ERNE countries of operation in conjunction with relevant colleagues
• Manage the partnership with the Red Cross Climate Centre (RCCC) in relation to the ERNE programme and ensure that the results of their research or other outputs is integrated into the programme area monitoring systems where relevant
• Monitor international sources of early warning information, ensuring that this information is integrated into programme area monitoring systems
• Coordinate with forecasting and EWEA fora, including START/FOREWARN, ALERT, the World Bank, etc. ensuring that the ERNE programme utilises available and pertinent forecasting information, and coordinates with them to leverage support and exploit synergies where they exist.
• Potentially be deployed to support emergency responses for up to six weeks in ERNE countries of operation
• Support donor reporting and other grant management requirements
• Any other tasks as directed to ensure effective delivery of the programme

Skills and Experience Required:

Essential:

• A minimum of five years’ experience working in the area of livelihoods, disaster risk reduction, early warning systems in International NGOs, development agencies or the private sector, three of which should have been based in a developing country in Sub Saharan Africa.
• A postgraduate degree in economics, food security, entrepreneurship, business, finance or related field; or equivalent technical field experience.
• Experience in establishing or contributing to sub-saharan early warning systems, including analysing data sets of early warning information
• Experience in various approaches and tools, e.g. PCMMA, pro-poor market systems, etc. used in market and cash transfer programmes such as market and value chain analysis, income generating activities, community-based saving and loan groups, and business and vocational training.
• A strong understanding of inequality in relation to food security and livelihoods programmes.
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills; works well as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Adaptable to evolving work priorities and schedules.
• Willing to travel overseas for up to 50% of working time.
• Ability to work proficiently in both French and English languages.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of DG ECHO policies and guidance in relation to resilience, early warning, cash transfers
• Experience of identifying the needs that can be met through cash and market based assistance and the calculation of adequate support packages.
• Experience working in integrated, multi-sectoral programmes including social protection, livelihoods, nutrition, health, and WASH. Familiarity with social and behaviour change approaches.
• Experience working with research institutions, and relevant national and international institutions and networks.