Bangladesh Red Crescent Society
National Headquarters
684-686, Red Crescent Sarak, Bara Mogh Bazar, Dhaka-1217

Job Description

Job Purpose:

Anticipatory Action (AA) is a relatively new but widely accepted approach as it focuses on anticipating the impact of a disasters rather responding to them. Anticipatory action refers to actions taken before a crisis hits to prevent or reduce potential disaster impacts prior to a shock or before acute impacts are felt. The actions are carried out based on forecasts or predictions of how the event will unfold. The types of actions are varied and depend on the hazard and context and early actions are based on in-depth forecast information and risk analysis. This is a growing area of disaster management that relies on data analysis to predict where crises might strike and act ahead of time.  Anticipatory action works best if activities (the delivery), as well as triggers and decision-making rules (the model) are pre-agreed to guarantee the fast release of pre-arranged financing (the money). By using early warning systems and scientific advances in predicting disasters, anticipatory action maximizes the window of opportunity between the moment of prediction and the arrival of a forecasted shock to trigger interventions that prevent or mitigate imminent humanitarian impacts. This calls for more humanitarian action linked to risk and vulnerability, instead of a singular focus on needs and suffering.

There is growing evidence that acting prior to the onset of a predictable shock is significantly faster, dignified and more (cost-)effective humanitarian response. Scaling up anticipatory action requires investment to improve national disaster risk reduction in management systems, including national and local DRR strategies, ensuring availability of risk data, and strengthening social protection systems, among others.

In Bangladesh, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), in collaboration with German Red Cross (GRC), International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and World Food Programme (WFP) with technical support from Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre (RCCC) have been working since 2015 to design and further develop the FbF approach. Since beginning of the piloting of FbF, it gained lot of momentum among different stakeholders. Currently FbF has gained prominence in the country, and other stakeholders as well have adopted this approach in managing the anticipated risk of the imminent disasters. As FbF is growing and gradually scaling up, involved actors identified a need to have a working group to discuss, coordinate and harmonise all issues and initiatives vis-à-vis the FbF. Considering the need, the discussion started in June 2019 to form a FbF working group. The group officially formed at the beginning of 2020 and now being termed as Anticipatory Action Technical Working Group.

BDRCS being the pioneer to introduce and pilot anticipatory action in Bangladesh, was the first to develop two Early Action Protocols (EAP) in Bangladesh back in 2018 and took the lead to coordinate FbF/A working group. Following the progress on AA in country and the discussion between RCRC Movement, RCO and UN OCHA, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) offered to host an Anticipatory Action Secretariat which will be an independent body supporting and servicing all the actors working in the field of anticipatory action in a better coordinated way. The vision is to create an AA Hub in Bangladesh which will enable knowledge management and dissemination of best practices.

Main purpose is this role to support the coordination and implementation of Anticipatory Actions agenda in Bangladesh in close collaboration with International Coordinator for Anticipatory Action Working Group   in collaboration with MoDMR, UNRCO & other relevant UN organizations including WFP, Red Cross Red Crescent RCRC including BDRCS, IFRC & GRC and other national/international stakeholders.

Roles and Responsibilities:  

Coordination support at the Anticipator Action TWG Secretariat

• Support the functions of the International Coordinator of the Anticipator Action Technical Working Group to materialize the priorities and annual work plan of the TWG.
• Act as the national focal person for Anticipator Action Technical Working Group in close coordination with government counterparts and member agencies.
• Liaise with TWG members to map their activities, provide technical guidance and coordination of the implementation of the activities under AA frameworks.
• Participate AA initiatives in Bangladesh as and when necessary.
• Function as the national officer to support partner requirements in related to the implementation of AA programmes in collaboration with various agencies under the guidance of FbF/A Task Force.
• Ensure the AA are in line with the national frameworks and agreed protocols in Bangladesh and navigate Anticipatory Action strategies and actions across programmes based on strong analysis of context and conditions in various targeted areas.

Compile Landscape Analysis Document

• Compilation of AA Landscape Analysis document of existing hazard (e.g. flood, cyclone, heatwave, landslide) related Anticipatory Actions work in country across sectors and geographic areas of operation (inclusive of GOB counterpart identification),
• Support the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief with the development of a National Multi-Hazard Anticipatory Action Framework (NMHAAF) and supporting National Contingency Plan of Action, in partnership with IFRC and other partners,
• Provide technical support to the MODMR Forecast-Based Financing/Action Task Force (FbF/A TF) and Technical Working Group to harmonize Anticipatory Action work in Bangladesh into the NMHAAF,
• Conduct regular AA Technical Working Group meetings and organize annual/periodical Dialogue Platforms in collaboration with AA actors in country,
• Support the development of scientific determination of triggers, and or the agreement on formulas for the development of localized/site specific triggers.

Capacity and structural support of the Forecast-Based Financing/Action Task Force (FbF/A TF)

• Establish mechanisms for the uptake and agreement of newly proposed FbF/AA plans and projects for approval,
• Facilitate workshops and consultations to align partners (including regional colleagues) into a common work plan in support of the NMHAAF, setting goals and milestones for joint achievements as agreed with the Ministry,
• Advocacy for cross-boundary information and data sharing
• Development partner data alignment/harmonization/synergies/ between donors including relevant strategies, data sharing and coverage of support across GoB priority areas,
• Provide updates to the development partner community as to progress in the development of the NMHAAF and advocate for further coordination and forecast-based financing support to actions of the NMHAAF,
• Regularly analyze the activities of the partners in the sector and provide analysis on gaps in coverage, duplications and variance in packages being provided,

Coordinate Support to the hydrometeorological services, i.e. Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Flood Forecast Warning Center, Bangladesh Water Development Board (FFWC)

• Work closely with the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC of the Bangladesh Water Development Board) and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) partners to develop and refine the pre-monsoon flash flood and drought thresholds and trigger mechanisms, for inclusion in the larger Anticipatory Action Protocol,
• Work closely with BMD in coordination with MoDMR, DDM, Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) to identify support needs for further improving hazards monitoring, early warning dissemination, impact-based forecasting, triggers, threshold, etc.
• Work with relevant actors and technical leads to support achieving targets for the Early Warnings for All initiative.

Create Synergies with GOB Social Protection Programmes

• With support from the clusters, analyze the government safety net/ social protection programs to link with anticipatory actions.
• Work Social Protection Specialists and counterparts on the inclusion of social protection synergies within the NMHAAF and existing national social safety net programmes,
• Liaise with government’s different departments to ensure harmonization of program activities with government plans and strategies with support from the Government and Stakeholder Liaison Officer

Develop Mechanisms for the Mainstreaming of AA within GOB partner agencies

• Work closely with District Disaster Management Committees (DDMC) on the adoption of AA Protocols at government and community levels, including trainings, consultations and simulation exercises as needed,
• Support the strengthening of preparedness and responses strategies and policies all levels – ensuring a continuum of service provision between EWS, AA and response action,
• Develop training modules as needed for Anticipatory Actions awareness, design, implementation and mainstreaming,

Coordinate Anticipatory Actions Emergency funds from different donors and agencies

• Mapping of sector specific funds from different donors
• Key anticipatory activities monitoring and reporting
• Assist cluster to coordinate AA responses fund raising

Lead in the addressing policy gaps related to the uptake of AA protocols and policies

• Develop strategic documents and facilitate discussions, as well as responding diplomatically to sensitive issues in line with institutional strategic direction.
• Track the value for money and return on investment of programme activities and revise programming accordingly, in coordination with Monitoring and Evaluation team.
• Promote Accountability to Affected Populations actions across programme planning and implementation.

Person Specification:

Education and experience

• Master’s degree in Disaster Management, Environmental Science, Geography & Environment, Development Studies, Social Science, Atmospheric physics/ science or related discipline (Education qualification will be relaxed in case of potential/ experienced candidates).
• Minimum 10 to 12 years’ experience in managing Disaster Risk Management programs (working experience with humanitarian/development organization and in Forecast based Financing/Action (FbF/A) or Anticipatory Action (AA) will be preferred).
• Strong coordination and multi stakeholder management skill.
• Strong project cycle management skills: assessments, design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and strategic planning skills.
• Having good knowledge on hydro-met services and atmospheric science will be considered as added value.
• Ability to understand and work with Government /Ministries, departments, agencies, policies and regulations.
• Excellent command of English language both in oral and writing

Competent candidates are encouraged to apply online by 18th December 2023. Candidates who meet the criteria only will be shortlisted.

BDRCS is an equal opportunity employer.