Technical Lead- Anticipatory Action & DRF

Start Network is a global membership of more than 90 aid organisations working across six continents tackling what it sees as the biggest systemic problems the sector faces. Start Network’s vision is for a locally led humanitarian system that is accountable to people affected by and at-risk of crises. We aim to achieve this vision by making systemic-level shifts through innovation, fast funding, early action, and localisation.

The Forecast-based, Warning, Analysis, and Response Network (FOREWARN) is Start Networks’ community of experts that provides this support to humanitarians on the ground, and advocates for early action to become the norm. FOREWARN was established in 2016 and is a multi-disciplinary, multi stakeholder network of aid professionals, academics, scientists, and risk experts who work together to monitor risks and provide technical advice and practical recommendations to Start Network member organisations.
                
Forewarn Bangladesh started its journey in November 2019 as a national platform of the Global FOREWARN initiative under Start Network. In the process of localising the technical capacity for Start Bangladesh in-country members, FOREWARN Bangladesh has been supporting Start Bangladesh (SB) Members since its birth. FOREWARN Bangladesh is facilitating a platform of hazard experts focusing on generating, analysing and interpreting hazard specific knowledge including forecasts for Start Bangladesh members to anticipate risks (covering anticipatory project and disaster risk financing) and ex-ante responses so as to help Start Bangladesh members to make decisions.

At Start Bangladesh, the Technical Lead- Anticipatory Action & DRF plays a crucial role in ensuring the timely assessment, and communication of anticipated/forecasted risks associated with predictable and modellable disasters or other events that require an Anticipatory Action approach. The responsibilities typically encompass a range of activities aimed at improving readiness and early actions to such events.    

This position requires a strong background in Anticipatory Action, forecasting, data analysis, GIS, and Remote Sensing. The ideal candidate will excel in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and possess the skills necessary to support risk monitoring and Anticipatory Actions (AA) efforts in Bangladesh. The success of this position also depends on maintaining an effective engagement with the network of hazard experts in Bangladesh i.e., the national FOREWARN platform so to help Start Bangladesh members in making decisions around anticipatory actions

• Ensure that existing forecasting information (for natural and man-made hazards) in the country is available and usable for Start Bangladesh (SB) members by engaging forecast and other data providers alongside humanitarian actors (including SB members).
• Act as a focal point to encourage communication, learning and continual innovation of early action in Bangladesh. 
• Proactively support SB members to raise alert in anticipation of a forecasted crisis and help members to make allocation decisions with technical support from the FOREWARN expert group   
• Raise awareness of SB FOREWARN activities.
• Actively coordinate and support the Bangladesh FOREWARN expert group through regular meetings, reviews, and shared learnings.
• Regularly monitor the effectiveness of different hazard impact models (flood and cyclone), triggers, thresholds to ensure alignment with local context; and work closely with Start Network global tech team and service providers to improve the efficiencies of those models.
• Support Start Bangladesh members in capacity building related to anticipation and disaster risk financing.
• Support SB members to make informed decisions on DRF pre/activation (for both Readiness and Early Action phase).    
• Negotiate and diversify partnership with likeminded agencies for technical collaboration.   
• Champion the SB key stakeholders in country and regional platforms.
• Participate in field visits and identify community voices to improve tools and models.
• Map and identify in-country advocacy agendas related to anticipation, and integrate these into Start Bangladesh's strategy.  
• Ensure that the FOREWARN Risk monitoring Officer is performing her/his responsibility in line with the defined tasks and maintaining relationship with Start Bangladesh members, engaging members in monitoring risks and supporting them with required information i.e., to anticipate risks and raise anticipatory alerts.  

Key Accountabilities:

• Convene the national FOREWARN expert group (frequency as decided by group/ FOREWARN ToR) 
• Lead on the recruitment and induction of FOREWARN members 
• Lead the workplan/ identification/ prioritisation of key hazards of focus 
• Lead on tool and stakeholder mapping exercises
• lead on coordination of in-person workshops and events e.g., Hackathon, anticipation cafe etc.  
• Ensure that the work of the FOREWARN Bangladesh group is well documented and recorded (including meeting agenda, minutes, handbooks and ToRs) 
• Communicate the works of the national FOREWARN platform and explore potential engagement with other relevant networks to share learning and progress nationally and internationally  
• Share information and help to identify opportunities for collaboration and learning between FOREWARN group members and Start Bangladesh members  
• Maintain contact lists including Skype groups for group representatives    
• Oversee and manage the contract/s for consultancy/outsourcing activities and deliverables.   

Professional and Educational Qualifications

• Educational Background: A master's degree/PhD in a relevant field such as meteorology, environmental science, civil-engineering, disaster management, geography, water resources development, urban and regional planning, GIS & remote sensing, data science.
• Experience: Prior experience (min. 5 years) in anticipatory action, climate change & sustainability, risk monitoring, early warning systems, or disaster risk reduction is highly preferred. Experience in designing and supervising research, data analysis, data gathering, and research related to disaster risk management. Familiarity with the specific risks and challenges in Bangladesh, including hydro-meteorological hazards (cyclones, floods, cold-wave, riverbank erosion), geological risks (landslide) and health hazards.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in using relevant software and tools for data analysis and risk assessment. Knowledge of any programming language, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing is a plus. Have the ability to analyse interpretable data-driven models for climate-induced disaster impact prediction.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively convey risk information to various stakeholders. Ability to prepare reports, develop communication strategies, and collaborate with diverse teams.
• Language Proficiency: Proficiency in Bengali, English, as well as any other language from this Asia-Pacific region l is required to communicate with local communities and international teams.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work effectively with experts, academics, government agencies, NGOs, and other partners. Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
• Adaptability: Comfort working in a fast-paced and sometimes high-pressure environment, especially during hazard seasons. Flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities.
• Commitment to the Mission: A genuine commitment to disaster risk reduction, early warning, and supporting vulnerable communities in Bangladesh.

Skills:

• Fluent in English, Bangla and other relevant languages  
• Demonstrable high-level competence in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships across organisational boundaries 
• Proven skills in building partnerships for humanitarian programme delivery 
• A strong understanding of the humanitarian context and workings in Bangladesh, including the localisation agenda and commitments, and demonstrable experience with promotion of equitable partnerships 
• A flexible and initiative-taking attitude with the ability to work autonomously  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills  
• Excellent computer skills including word processing, presentation and use of spreadsheets combined with the ability to develop and maintain office and management information systems 

ESDO has a Safeguarding & PSEAH policy to protect its employees and beneficiaries and any kind of discrimination, harassment, and abuse falls under ESDO “ZERO TOLERANCE” Policy. All employees are expected to abide by the PSEAH, Child Protection, Safeguarding, and Gender policy of ESDO.

ESDO does not tolerate any child & youth abuse. So, if you have any history of child & youth abuse in organization or personal life please abstains from apply here. After your selection or between the service periods if we found any misinformation, we will take legal action as per organization rules and county law.

ESDO does not tolerate any Safeguarding abuse. So, if you have any history of gender abuse in organization or personal life, please abstains from apply here. After your selection or between the service periods if we found any misinformation, we will take legal action as per organization rules and county law.

ESDO does not tolerate any kind of extremism/terrorism. So, if you have any history of extremism/terrorism in organization or personal life please abstains from apply here. After your selection or between the service periods if we found any misinformation, we will take legal action as per organization rules and county law.

ESDO does not tolerate any corruption. So, if you have any history of corruption in organization or personal life, please abstains from apply here. After your selection or between the service periods if we found any misinformation, we will take legal action as per organization rules and county law.

If you are passionate to improve lives of the people in the transforming climate context, courageous to bring positive impact through your proficiencies, confident to meet organization’s expectations and fulfil the above-mentioned requirements please visit the following link and apply.

Please submit your CV to startbangladesh@startnetwork.org CC hr.esdo@gmail.com  using the subject line: ‘Technical Lead- Anticipatory Action & DRF’.

A cover letter along with a recent Photo, photocopy should reach within 18/11/2024 addressing Head of HR, ESDO, Collegepara (Gobindanagar), Thakurgaon-5100, Bangladesh.

Instructions for Online Application:

Applications should submit within 23/11/2024 by 5.00PM through ESDO website online application link: https://career.esdo.net.bd/

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted and called for an interview.
Women are especially encouraged to apply.

Equal opportunity, and promoting women & children`s rights is the mandate of ESDO.

Application Deadline: 18 November 2024