Head of Climate Change and Resilience

s the WFP Philippines transitions to the new CSP, the CO is committed to building resilience on multiple fronts, including individuals, communities, systems, and institutions. At the same time, WFP stands ready to complement emergency response operations in case of the Government’s relief systems get stretched.

Under the CSP Activity 3, WFP supports the Government to reduce its vulnerability to climate, economic and conflict-related shocks through: i) the design and implementation of multi-sectoral, integrated programmes that include the building of small-scale agricultural infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture and other nature-based solutions; ii) helping smallholder farmers invest in high-valued local crops, organize in cooperatives, and access potential markets with better prices and terms; iii) technical support to develop multi-hazard impact-based forecasting and early warning systems that can reach the “last-mile” communities, iv) institutionalization and operationalization of Anticipatory Action (AA) systems for typhoons and other priority hazards; iv) evidence generation on climate-related vulnerabilities and risks to livelihoods, food security, and nutrition.

• Specifically, as the Government’s implementing partner, WFP supports the effective implementation of the 2022-2026 Green Climate Fund (GCF) project “Multi-Hazard Impact-based Forecasting and Early Warning System for the Philippines (MH-IBF-EWS)”. The project aims to transform and enable the country’s early warning system to issue impact-based advisories, support the institutionalization of the AA approach within the national DRM framework, and enhance the inclusivity of EWS to reach far-flung communities and improve their emergency preparedness, AA and response capacities.
• Under the United Nations Joint CERF Programme on AA, WFP is ready to provide unconditional cash assistance and early warning information to approximately 45,000 vulnerable households across 33 municipalities as early as three days before a severe typhoon hits. In 2024, building on the lessons learned and recommendations from simulation exercises in 2023, WFP is focusing on improving its plan of operations, strengthening joint implementation and coordination with the partner LGUs through co-developed SOPs, and generating robust evidence and knowledge material on AA.
• At the policy level, WFP is leading the technical discussions and coordination with the Government for the development of the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Bill that has been filed in the Senate in February 2024. This Bill will allow national and local governments to access funding for the implementation of AA and other pre-emptive measures to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events.
• As part of its climate analytics and evidence generation work, WFP published the Climate Change and Food Security Analysis (CCFSA) study in 2021 that highlights the interconnectedness of climate change and food security in the Philippines, particularly the threats and opportunities its presents to food security, nutrition, and livelihood in rural and urban areas. In 2024, WFP aims to expand the development and government uptake of innovative research products focusing on climate change vulnerabilities, exposure and impact on food security and nutrition in collaboration with academia, government and other partners.
• In the BARMM region, WFP collaborates closely with communities and the government to implement an integrated resilience programme through Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) projects that support the transition out of conflict, reduce food insecurity, and develop sustainable and conflict-sensitive livelihood strategies for the re-integration of former combatants and affected populations.
• In addition to its food- and cash-for-work programmes, WFP Philippines is implementing a demand-driven value chain development approach by helping smallholder farmers invest in high-valued local crops, organize in cooperatives, and access potential markets with better prices and terms through Farm2Go and its wider Smallholder Agricultural Market Support (SAMS) programme.
• WFP has also developed an internal Climate Risk Management Strategy that defines key programmatic priorities and opportunities under the current Philippines Country Strategic Plan (2024-2028). The CRM Strategy also highlights the substantial linkages of climate adaptation and resilience programmes with other key PHCO projects including under the EPR and Social Protection teams and the need for strong coordination to take advantage of potential synergies and opportunities for collaboration.
• To further support the implementation and scale-up of its climate risk management and resilience programmes, WFP is seeking experts with proven experience in project and people management and specialized skills in AA, climate change adaptation and resilience programmes.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme and work under the overall guidance of the Deputy Country Director. He/she will act as a Deputy Head of Programme, with a technical focus on Climate Change and Resilience, ensuring collaboration and coordination with technical leads to advance the strategic objectives of the CSP. The key activities proposed during the assignment are as follows. (Not all inclusive, within delegated authority):

Specific tasks:

Project Management:

• Provide overall guidance and day-to-day management for the climate adaptation and integrated resilience portfolio, including project oversight, oversight of project teams, reporting, and budget management.

Technical assistance:

• Lead the implementation of the programmatic recommendations included in PHCO’s Climate Risk Management Strategy and the Resilience Theory of Change.
• Support resource mobilization efforts for the development of climate adaptation and resilience activities through the design and submission of project proposals.
• Building on the lessons learned and recommendations from the 2023 SIMEX exercise, coordinate with relevant teams to keep updated WFP’s AA SOP and ensure PHCO’s operational readiness for the next phase of the CERF AA project.
• Support the technical capacity building of national and local government authorities to design and implement AA systems, ‘last mile’ climate services and other climate adaptation measures based on government needs and WFP’s geographic and programmatic priorities.
• Provide technical support to the Government to develop the required policies, implementing rules and regulations to enable the operationalization of AA at the national and sub- national levels.
• Work closely with the Emergency Preparedness and Response unit to ensure coordination and synergies in the implementation of AA and other cross-cutting climate adaptation projects.
• Promote integrated resilience activities, especially in BARMM, with linkages to Home Grown School Feeding and other relevant activities.
• Ensure community driven development activities through last mile community infrastructure development and smallholders’ market access activities adhere to global standards.
• Promote greater collaboration with Rome Based Agencies and other relevant UN agencies, government departments, academe and civil society on climate change and resilience.
• Work closely with the Social Protection team to support the development and implementation of Adaptive and Shock Responsive Social Protection programmes, based on WFP’s expertise on climate risk management and role in flagship social protection programmes, including the school feeding and Walang Gutom programmes.
• Support national and local government partners to integrate WFP’s Climate Change and Food Security Analysis (CCFSA) and other research products in their disaster risk management plans including training modules to strengthen understanding and ownership of the tools available.
• In collaboration with WFP’s RAM team, lead the generation, documentation and dissemination of robust evidence as well as best practices and lessons learned from the implementation of WFP’s AA approach in the Philippines.
• In coordination with RAM team, lead the development of innovative research products focusing on climate change vulnerabilities, exposure and impact on food security and nutrition in collaboration with academia, government and other partners.
• Strengthen partnerships, advocacy and coordination with partners (e.g. UN, IFRC, NGOs, Government, academia), and represent WFP in related national and regional platforms such as the national AA Technical Working group.
• Perform other related duties as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Successful management of AA/CCA and resilience teams and projects.
• Implementation of the programmatic recommendations in PHCO’s Climate Risk Management Strategy, specifically on climate analytics, strengthening government systems and capacities for climate risk management, strengthening local adaption and climate-proofing food systems.
• Provision of inputs into national policies and operational guidance for the mainstreaming of AA in the national DRM framework.
• Updated WFP AA SOPs for typhoons under the CERF AA project. Development/enhancement of AA SOPs for partner LGUs.
• Evidence material generated on AA/CCA and resilience, including M&E reports and country-case studies with results and lessons learned.
• Strengthened uptake of Climate Change and Food Security Analysis (CCFSA) and other innovative WFP climate analytics tools by government and other stakeholders.
• Support to national and regional workshops and advocacy events.
• Inputs to project proposals on climate change adaptation and resilience programmes.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• EDUCATION: Advanced university degree (Masters level), or university degree with experience and training/courses in one or more of the following disciplines: climate adaptation, meteorology, hydrology, environmental science, disaster management, agriculture, development studies or related area.
• EXPERIENCE:At least five (5) years of post-graduate, progressively responsible work experience in Anticipatory Action, climate adaptation and/or disaster risk management, as well as experience managing programme/project staff, establishing/managing partnerships and resource mobilization.

KOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Experience in project design and management, including work experience on designing and implementing interventions at national and community levels focusing on AA/CCA/resilience, as well as on M&E and knowledge management, budget management and donor reporting.
• Solid understanding of food security, risk and vulnerability assessments, early warning information and ability to link those to programme design and contingency planning. Experience working with early warning and hydrometeorological forecasts is an asset.
• Experience leading a mid-size team to ensure the effective delivery of objectives.
• Experience working with a wide variety of development actors including governments, international development organizations (including United Nations agencies), donors and other funding agencies, private sector entities, and/or civil society organizations including community groups and academia.
• Experience in providing capacity strengthening to government in terms of advocacy, policy engagement and technical assistance.
• Experience providing inputs for the development of country-level policies, strategies, and related discussions.
• Excellent research, report writing, analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a timely and organized manner observing deadlines and achieving results.
• Ability to work in a team and establish effective working relationships with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds and multi-task as needed.
• Proficiency in Windows, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), experience with GIS platforms is an asset.

LANGUAGE:

• Working knowledge of English (proficiency/level C) and intermediate knowledge (intermediate/level B) of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is preferable. For specific regions, proficiency/level C in French, Portuguese and Spanish will be required.

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