Project Manager- Anticipatory Action

Location : Myitkyina

Report to : Area Manager

Overall purpose of the role:

DRC is seeking a highly motivated and experienced National Anticipatory Action (AHEAD) Manager to lead and coordinate anticipatory action programming at the national level and field level. In particular, the National AHEAD Manager will be the national lead for the global Anticipatory Humanitarian Action for Displacement (AHEAD) project implemented across seven countries globally, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The four-year project will develop anticipatory action data models and approaches using local and global data for local-level analysis to help inform humanitarian actors’ decisions when deploying humanitarian assistance and to enable timelier, more dignified, efficient and sustainable assistance.

Further, this position will be pivotal in expanding DRC’s anticipatory action initiatives beyond the AHEAD project, ensuring timely, coordinated, and efficient responses to displacement risks from both conflict and climate hazards. You will work closely with country teams, local government bodies, and stakeholders to design, implement, and scale anticipatory action projects that enhance preparedness and improve the resilience of communities at risk of displacement.

Responsibilities:

Management and Coordination

• Serve as the national technical focal point for all activities, ensuring alignment with DRC’s global strategy and the country’s specific needs.
• Lead implementation of the Anticipatory Action program in Kachin
• Coordinate with regional and global teams to ensure effective integration of Anticipatory Action activities into overall program strategies.
• Facilitate awareness raising and collaboration across sectors and with key stakeholders, including government agencies, local partners, and UN agencies, to ensure that anticipatory actions are well understood, integrated, and prioritized as effective response option.
• Engaging in existing Anticipatory Action coordination platforms, such as technical working groups, or support the establishment of new coordination structures, prioritizing the adoption of harmonized Anticipatory Action approaches and implementation across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Ensure the visibility of DRC’s Anticipatory Action portfolio in humanitarian coordination platforms, such as the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) or relevant humanitarian clusters.

Implementation and Technical Support

• Project Cycle Management lead on budget management, line management of officers, MEAL oversight and project planning.
• Lead the development and implementation of anticipatory action plans, including leading the co-design of readiness and anticipatory actions, trigger mechanisms, and evidence generation frameworks, following a participatory, bottom-up design process.
• Lead the anticipatory action systems building, including strengthening of early warning systems, trigger development, and development of anticipatory action plans in close collaboration with duty bearers and in-country partners, en
•  country office to build awareness and capacity for anticipatory action  ensuring they meet DRC’s standards and principles.
• Provide technical assistance within DRC’s programming, including policy advocacy, data-driven and forecast-based planning, anticipatory finance and anticipatory action implementation.
• Coordinate with emergency response teams to ensure that anticipatory actions are well-integrated into broader emergency preparedness and response strategies.
• In case of a trigger activation, provide operational oversight of anticipatory action plan implementations, ensuring timely delivery of anticipatory actions and robust evidence generation.

Data, Analysis, and Learning

• Work with the Evidence, Knowledge, and Learning team to ensure that data and displacement forecasting models are effectively used for anticipatory action.
• Support DRC’s global and regional analysts to monitor and analyze data related to disaster risks and displacement, ensuring that forecasts and triggers are aligned with the evolving needs on the ground.
• Capture and disseminate lessons learned from anticipatory action projects, contributing to global, regional and national knowledge-sharing and advocacy efforts.

Business Development and Advocacy

• Contribute to the development of proposals to secure funding for anticipatory action initiatives, in collaboration with country teams and donor engagement.
• Represent DRC at national and, as per need, regional forums, advocating for the adoption of anticipatory action approaches within the humanitarian sector.
• Work closely with DRC’s advocacy teams to influence national policies and promote the integration of anticipatory action into government and humanitarian sector planning.

Reporting and Communication

• Ensure timely and high-quality reporting on Anticipatory Action activities, in line with donor and organizational requirements.
• Maintain strong communication with country focal points to track progress, share updates, and resolve challenges in implementation.
• Provide regular technical support and guidance to local staff and stakeholders, ensuring clear understanding and commitment to Anticipatory Action objectives.

*Perform any other relevant tasks as requested by Line Manager.

Experience and technical competencies:

• At least 4 years of international experience in disaster risk management or anticipatory action programming, preferably in conflict-affected regions.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing anticipatory action projects, including development of triggers and anticipatory action planning.
• Strong understanding of data-driven decision-making, with experience with displacement forecasting models and early warning systems being a strong asset.
• Excellent stakeholder coordination skills, with an ability to navigate diverse stakeholder groups and drive joint progress to achieve common goals.
• Familiarity with conflict-sensitive programming and the impacts of displacement on vulnerable populations.
• Ability and willingness to travel, including to remote or conflict-affected areas, up to 35% of the time.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and coordination skills, with the ability to work across multiple teams and with diverse stakeholders.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Conditions

Contract: DRC will offer the successful applicant a DRC’s Regular contract included 3-month probation. Renewable depends on both funding and performance. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment. The position is placed in Employment Band F-2 management.

Application and CV

Interested? Click the button to apply. Please send your application, in English, no later than 31st Jan 2025. 

CV only applications will not be considered.

(Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates may be contacted for interview/an offer made before the advertised closing date)