Program Assistant/Climate Risk Management

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) saves lives in emergencies and changes the lives of millions of people around the world. WFP’s mission is to help achieve the goal of Zero Hunger by 2030.

In El Salvador, PMA’s work focuses on vulnerable households through social protection with a broad focus on nutrition, including school feeding, supporting small producers in accessing markets, increasing resilience to climate change in vulnerable populations and respond to emergencies of slow and rapid development.   

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:   

In July 2022, WFP El Salvador began the implementation of its new Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2022-2027. Based on a comprehensive consultation process and analysis of the main drivers of food security and nutrition in the country, and based on WFP humanitarian assistance, the important themes of building resilience, adaptation to climate change and the modification of food preparation practices and eating habits as priorities for WFP’s program portfolio. 

• Climate change multiplies existing threats to food security and malnutrition, will make natural disasters more frequent and intense, make fertile land and water more difficult to access, and increase agricultural productivity even more difficult. to achieve.
• Given this scenario, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) is currently implementing an Adaptation Fund project entitled “Strengthening the Adaptive Capacities of Climate Vulnerable Communities in the Goascorán Hydrographic Basin of El Salvador and Honduras through Integrated Community Adaptation Practices and Services. The objective of the project is to increase the resilience of vulnerable communities in the Goascorán basin to the effects of climate change. The project is being implemented in close collaboration with the governments of El Salvador and Honduras, as well as other key stakeholders in the region.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: 

• The Project Technical Advisor will be responsible for providing technical leadership and support to Component 2 of the project. This component focuses on connecting climate-vulnerable populations in the Goascorán Basin with innovative services that increase their climate risk management capabilities. The Advisor will work closely with stakeholders, partners and communities to ensure effective implementation of activities and achievement of project objectives

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:   

• Provide technical expertise and guidance for the design and implementation of Component 2 activities, ensuring they are aligned with project objectives, Adaptation Fund requirements and WFP corporate guidelines.
• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the climate risk management capabilities and needs of climate vulnerable populations in the Goascorán Basin, identifying gaps and opportunities for innovative climate services.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, service providers, NGOs and community-based organizations, to identify and facilitate access to innovative services that address the specific climate risk management needs of vulnerable communities.
• Support the development and delivery of training programs and capacity-building activities for community members, local authorities, service providers and project staff.
• Provide technical guidance on the establishment and implementation of mechanisms and platforms that facilitate the delivery and adoption of innovative climate services, including technology-based solutions, early warning systems and climate information services.
• Support the design of the insurance product and its annual refinement, including the development of insurance policies, distribution channels and links with other project components.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of Component 2 activities, ensuring that they are executed effectively and in accordance with the project work plan and budget.
• Contribute to the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, indicators and tools to assess the impact and effectiveness of innovative services in improving climate risk management capabilities.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and learning among project stakeholders, documenting and disseminating best practices, lessons learned and success stories related to innovative services for climate risk management.
• Collaborate with other project team members and stakeholders to ensure integration of Component 2 activities with other project components and cross-cutting issues.
• Prepare regular progress reports, technical summaries and other documentation required by the National Coordinator and the Binational Coordinator.
• Support the national coordinator in the planning, implementation, follow-up and monitoring of all project activities according to the work plan, providing technical assistance as required to ensure project results and goals are achieved

EXPERIENCE TO PERFORM THIS ROLE:   

• Minimum 6 years of professional experience in climate adaptation, climate finance, climate risk mitigation strategies and/or financial inclusion.
• Solid knowledge of climate change adaptation concepts, methodologies and tools, with experience in assessing climate vulnerabilities and risks to livelihoods.
• Experience working with local communities, government institutions and NGOs in the context of climate resilient livelihood projects.
• Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of climate interventions, preferably in the agriculture, rural development or entrepreneurship sectors.
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into practical solutions adapted to the context.

Excellent communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills

MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:   

• Higher university degree in agriculture, rural development, economics or a related field.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND CONDITIONS: 

• Driver’s license and experience driving light vehicles
• Willingness to travel constantly or reside in the eastern part of the country
• Knowledge of the Salvadoran rural context 

Source: https://career5.successfactors.eu//career?career_ns=job_listing&company=C0000168410P&navBarLevel=JOB_SEARCH&rcm_site_locale=en_GB&career_job_req_id=832783