CARE is one of the world’s leading international humanitarian and development organisations, committed to helping people in poor communities improve their lives and alleviate poverty. Founded in 1945, CARE is working across 104 countries to fight global poverty and marginalization. CARE has been active in Bangladesh since 1949 being one of the largest country offices of CARE. CARE works to help people achieve social and economic well-being, while being among the best in their fields. CARE put women and girls at the center of our work because we know that we cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities. CARE Bangladesh is currently shifting towards a program approach, where it has developed longer-term impact visions to have more sustainable changes in the lives of the extreme poor and marginalized.

Globally, there is a growing interest and investment in Anticipatory Action (AA) as an approach to reduce potential impacts of anticipated disasters. In Bangladesh, humanitarian and disaster risk management organizations are carrying out various pilots to test, gather evidence, build capacity, and advocate for strengthening the DRM governance and financing system to reduce shocks on vulnerable people and their livelihoods, improve the effectiveness of emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts, and reduce the humanitarian burden. Government of Bangladesh has also included ‘Forecast-based Financing and Action’ (FbF/A) in its recently revised Standing Orders on Disasters (SOD 2019) which shows their willingness to adopt the approach.

A consortium led by CARE Bangladesh, Concern Worldwide and technical partner Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) has been established. The consortium has launched the ECHO funded project ‘Scaling-Up Flood Forecast-based Action and Learning in Bangladesh’ (SUFAL-II) to strengthen the case for early action by implementing FbA system in three flood-prone districts of Northern Bangladesh. CARE Germany, the CARE Member Partner (CMP) holding the donor contract will oversee the project in Bangladesh and liaise directly with the donor.

SUFAL consortium partners with national and local government to implement AA to address the technical, economic, and institutional barriers limiting its uptake. The project will strengthen flood forecasting early warning by facilitating impact-based forecasting to contextualize forecasts, and identify wide range of community-focused early actions by developing an institutionalized mechanism to initiate FbF/A. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will guide how FbF/A are systematically tied to triggered threshold levels and provide guidelines on the roles of government and local stakeholders in taking early actions, emphasizing the protection of vulnerable groups. SUFAL will advocate for financing early actions, and propose recommendations on how FbA can be integrated into the DRM framework. Furthermore, SUFAL will study how social safety net programmes can also support early actions, and advocate for strengthening Shock Responsive Social Protection. During the monsoon season, SUFAL will test the system established to strengthen the evidence base for AA by assessing its impact and value for money. SUFAL will facilitate national and local level dialogue and advocacy around FbA to address institutional mandate challenges. By increasing capacity for AA, this project will improve the Government of Bangladesh’s ability to respond timely and effectively to monsoon floods.

Reporting to the Consortium Coordinator, the Technical Coordinator – Anticipatory Action will be primarily responsible for providing support to implementation of the SUFAL project. S/he will coordinate with consortium implementing and technical partners to mobilize and guide field-based staff on activities such as community risk assessments, planning for AA, capacity building on AA, simulations, testing during monsoon season, baseline/end line surveys, and review of AA. The incumbent is accountable for data management and preservation, ensuring accurate and timely presentation to donors and stakeholders as necessary. The Technical Coordinator is responsible for producing high quality, reliable, timely and efficient information systems tailored to needs of different levels of management and operational staff, the donor and Government of Bangladesh. S/he will support monitoring, evaluation, accountability, learning and evidence-based advocacy according to the project plan, and ensure overall quality of programme delivery.

% of Time

50%

• Along with consortium project teams and consultants, coordinate and oversee the conduction of Community Risk Assessment to develop local Disaster Management plans with focus on anticipatory action and sectoral issues (agriculture, livestock, WASH, health with focus on waterborne diseases).
• Coordinate and provide support from a DRM perspective to technical partner-RIMES in development of methodology for flood risk mapping; and oversee the collection of quality and accurate data for development of local flood risk maps.
• Coordinate with technical partner-RIMES, government, international and nongovernment organizations, and functional teams in CARE to support the development of web-based portal on flood risk information to facilitate anticipatory action to monsoon floods.
• Lead identification and development of forecast-based early actions with longer-lead times for testing in coordination with local government institutions and Disaster Management Committees, through consortium project teams.
• Lead development of flood early action advisories to accompany early warning messages for communities. Also, develop IEC materials to build knowledge of communities on FbA to reduce potential impacts on lives and livelihoods.
• Update training modules and support facilitation of capacity building (TOT, trainings) of staff, Disaster Management Committees, community and other stakeholders on FbA to ensure timely and effective implementation of FbA during monsoon seasons.
• From a DRM perspective, provide technical support to development and implementation of local Disaster Management Plans with project teams, local Disaster Management Committees and communities.
• Building on SUFAL results and learning from previous activation/implementation, provide support to the development of Early Action Protocols (EAPs) / Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) for monsoon floods with the Taskforce on FbF/A.
• Oversee development of financing guidelines for to support districts and upazilas in the implementation of FbA from disaster management funds and other sources of financing.
• Support identification of social safety net programmes for testing in the monsoon seasons to understand how Shock Responsive Social Protection can be strengthened to support most vulnerable households and communities in anticipation of floods.
• Support in organization of forums/workshops/training and other events with consortium partners, government and other stakeholders.

20%

• Provide programmatic and technical support for effective implementation of program activities, particularly related to information management of SUFAL’s anticipatory action activities.
• Support coordination with DDM, MODMR, Taskforce on FbF/A, technical working group on FbF/A, Red Cross Movement, UN, Start Fund Bangladesh, FOREWARN for collection, generation and dissemination of information; advocacy; and organization of events related to SUFAL’s anticipatory action activities.
• Maintain close cooperation with Taskforce on FbF/A, technical working group on FbF/A, and related functions / units / focal at DDM, MoDMR, clusters, other working groups and identified stakeholders. Support development of new relations as needed for success of the project.
• Represent SUFAL at forums and meetings as advised by Consortium Coordinator.

15%

• In coordination with consortium implementing partners and research partner-OPM, support utilization of the MEAL system appropriate for documenting and measuring results from implementation of project activities, and the implementation of FbA as specified in the EAPs/SOPs, and thereby contribute to building evidence.
• In coordination with consortium members, work closely with Project Managers / Project Officers to ensure that all necessary information is collected and organized for regular monitoring, and to produce substantial evidence against the indicators as was set in the proposal and log frame.
• In coordination with project teams and communication teams of consortium partners, ensure regular documentation of activities and results from implementation of the AA approach through collection of case stories, photo stories, video documentation, etc.
• Contribute to, and where necessary, lead the development of knowledge materials, as well as policy and learning briefs to advocate for the institutionalization of FbF/A, and strengthening community-based approach to Anticipatory Action.
• Ensure compilation and sharing of results, learning and uptake from all the activities.
• Support Consortium Coordinator in other tasks related to knowledge management and advocacy as required.

15%

• Prepare detailed project workplan in consultation with Consortium Coordinator and Partners, and maintain regular tracking with necessary adjustments to ensure timely completion of all project activities.
• Liaise with consortium partner project teams for establishing an effective information sharing / updating / reporting mechanism.
• Produce scheduled reports in line with ECHO, CARE and Consortium requirements.
• Prepare project progress report, activity reports, case studies and other special reports as per project plan and needs.
• In consultation with the respective consortium members’ project managers ensure the effective compliance and response mechanism is established at their field level.
• Assist the Consortium Coordinator and other project management colleagues through submission of timely data and information as requested.
• Validate and provide field data on a regular basis for donor and other reporting (e.g. Government required reports, FD6, FD4, facilitate and collect activity certificates from administration, etc.) in coordination with Finance Officer.

• Qualification:

• 5 to 6 years of relevant professional experience in Humanitarian and Resilience projects/programmes related to FbF/FbA, climate information services, DP/DRR, community-based DRR, gender-mainstreaming and inclusion.
• Masters in science or social science discipline. Preference will be given to candidates with undergraduate and/or postgraduate degree in Disaster Management, Environment/Climate Change, Geography, Statistics, Development Studies.
• Strong analytical skills; ability to summarize and present complex information in effective manner. Experience in using infographics will be an added advantage.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to communicate clearly and effectively; maintain relationships at all levels. Skills in networking, negotiation, persuasion and advocacy for mainstreaming new concepts and approaches.
• Experience in cooperating with and capacity building of national and international organizations.
• Experience in working with or managing teams (project staff, volunteers, consultants).
• Knowledge and understanding of DRR issues and DRM framework in Bangladesh. Incumbent must be familiar with agenda on Forecast-based Financing / Action (FbF/FbA) or Anticipatory Action.
• Experience with donor-funded projects (ECHO, USAID, FCDO).
• Excellent computer skills (spreadsheets, word, databases and other programmes). Skills with software, such as QGIS/ARC GIS, KOBO, MS office Package, and AutoCAD, will be considered an asset.
• Strong communication, report writing and presentation skills in Bangla and English.

• Commitment to and understanding of CARE core values and principles.
• Demonstrated competency to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Commitment and energy to work across multiple sectors and with a variety of actors.
• Ability to communicate ideas in a culturally-sensitive manner.
• Willingness to live and work in difficult and rapidly changing conditions.
• Resilient, flexible and gender sensitive.
• Experience of procedures and best practice in emergency operational management.
• Willingness to live and work in difficult and rapidly changing conditions.
• Able to manage many tasks simultaneously.
• Proactive and have the desire to learn and build professional expertise.
• Ensure and Promote GEDI and be GEDI sensitive, creating an enabling environment where diversity can flourish and all staff and stakeholders experience inclusion and appreciation.