Closing date : 8 Dec 2023
Project Background:
The USAID Uganda Feed the Future Water and Food Systems for Resilient Communities Activity (WFSRCA) is a five year activity (2023-2028) that aims to inclusively and equitably improve food and water security in the Kyoga Basin in northeastern Uganda, specifically three watersheds – Lokok, Awoja, and Lokere, by empowering individuals and communities to mitigate and adapt to shocks and stressors in order to improve livelihoods, maintain nutrition and health wellbeing, address drivers of conflict, and reduce reliance on humanitarian assistance. This area is home to nomadic pastoralists whose livelihoods are at risk due to violent cattle raiding and the effects of climate change (drought and flooding). This part of Uganda also suffers from fragmented markets, chronic underinvestment in public services, and a lack of private sector investment. This Activity is aligned with the Water and Development II (WADI II) scope to access critical technical services in support of the U.S. Government’s Global Water Strategy, Global Food Security and Strategy Refresh, Agency Climate Strategy, and the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience; and is a cornerstone of the USAID Uganda (2022) Country Development Cooperation Strategy Development Objective (DO) 2, Resilient Growth Enhanced. The activity aims therefore aims to achieve results under the following development objectives:

Improve water supply and integrated water resource management.
Increase equitable access to sanitation and hygiene services for households and schools.
Improved agriculture-based livelihoods.
Increased consumption of nutritious foods among women and children.
Expanded access to financial resources for women, men, youth, indigenous people, and marginalized groups.
Improve local capacity to manage shocks and stressors.
WFSRCA will enhance market systems, strengthen relevant institutions, expand access to climate-resilient services, and—in two of the most vulnerable of the 20 districts covered by the activity—employ “graduation” approaches to assist the ultra-poor. These initiatives will incorporate conflict sensitivity, local leadership, climate change adaptation, and approaches inclusive of women, youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and indigenous groups.

Result 6 of the FtF WFSRCA will ensure there is improved local capacity to manage shocks and stressors in the geographic selected areas by 1) enhancing the capacity of local governance structures and communities to respond to human-made and natural shocks and stressors, and 2) improve access to accurate climate and weather information. Result 6 is a cross-cutting element to all other Results in the contract.

Role’s Purpose:

The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Senior Specialist will have a key role in leading the design, implementation, adaptation, reporting, and learning of all Result 6 interventions, as well as advise other technical personnel on relevant cross-cutting interventions with the other Result areas. The DRM Senior Specialist reports to the Cross Cutting Director.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead the design and reporting of all Result 6 activities, to contribute to meeting WFSRCA performance targets under Result 6 (i.e., via annual work planning, listening and pause and reflect sessions, and contractual reporting).
Provide Result 6 supervision and technical support to local partners.
Oversee the completion of technical deliverables and events related to Result 6.
Coordinate with the Agriculture Livelihoods Lead, Deputy Chief of Party Technical, Cross-cutting Director, Implementation Director, and other Technical Leads to ensure the comprehensive integration of Result 6 components into WFSRCA programming.
Support in the development or review of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning indicators or activities, as they relate to Result 6.
Engage with local communities and stakeholders to ensure project activities are responsive to their needs and priorities, while also maintaining conflict sensitivity in all stakeholder engagement processes.
Other tasks, as assigned by supervisor, COP, or their designee.
Qualifications

Advanced degree development studies, emergency and disaster management, humanitarian assistance, agriculture, water/environment/natural resource management, or related field.
9+ years of relevant professional experience. Experience with USAID or donor-funded humanitarian assistance/agriculture/water-related programs in Uganda preferred.
Demonstrated skills working in the technical areas of disaster risk management.
Excellent knowledge of USAID rules and regulations, preferred.
Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with local counterparts, grantees, USAID, international donors, private sector partners, and other key stakeholders.
Professional proficiency in English is required, and proficiency in local languages is preferred.
Reporting

The Disaster Risk Management Senior Specialist will report to the Cross-Cutting Director.

How to apply