Vacancy title:
Anticipatory Action Specialist

[Type: FULL_TIME, Industry: Nonprofit, and NGO, Category: Management]

Jobs at:
International Rescue Committee

Deadline of this Job:
Tuesday, July 15 2025

Duty Station:
Kenya | Nairobi | Kenya

Summary
Date Posted: Friday, July 4 2025, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

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JOB DETAILS:

Specific Responsibilities:

• The Anticipatory Action Specialist will lead IRC’s Trafigura Foundation & Google.org funded Anticipatory Action responses globally – as well as other potential private foundation funding. Potential future responses include: Burkina Faso, Sudan, Guatemala & El Salvador.
• The dynamic nature of forecast-based programming, working within a constantly evolving 4-month planning window, means that it is essential that the Anticipatory Action Specialist is not only comfortable with, but thrives in a role that involves constant change. It is alsessential that the Anticipatory Action Specialist is willing & able twork in Fragile & Conflict Affected contexts for at least 3 weeks / quarter. 
• The AA Specialist specific responsibilities are as follows: 
• In select contexts, ensure timely implementation of Anticipatory Action responses (70%)
• Monitor Long-range forecasts 
• In partnership with IRC’s Climate Analyst, the Anticipatory Action Specialist will use long-range forecasts tprioritize locations for Anticipatory Action responses
• In prioritized locations, the Anticipatory Action Specialist will lead the engagement with Regional & Country Program teams and ensure coordination with relevant Technical Units and the Emergency & Humanitarian Assistance Unit (EHAU). This will include provide an overview of IRC’s “follow the forecast” approach tAnticipatory Action and practical implications for Country Program teams, including likely timeline, staff & budget requirements and direct support that can be provided. 
• Rapid Contingency Planning
• The Anticipatory Action Specialist will lead the development of a rapid contingency planning process with Country Program focal points (typically ERD / Emergency Coordinators). 
• The rapid contingency planning process involves a review of available secondary data and develop the initial parameters of a response plan including geographic priorities, potential timelines for response, understanding of existing livelihood strategies, review of existing Anticipatory Action protocols (drawing on Anticipation Hub data) and direct support for a contingency planning workshop. This typically involves 3 weeks of in-country support that includes coordination with other operational agencies, primary data collection as well as leading the contingency planning workshop itself. 
• Cash Transfers
• Cash transfers are the primary response modality for IRC’s Anticipatory Action responses
• The Anticipatory Action Specialist will work closely with Country Program staff, the Anticipatory Action (HEA) Specialist & IRC’s broader Cash Global Practice Area tdetermine the appropriate cash transfer modality, cash transfer value and transfer schedule. 
• The Anticipatory Action Specialist will alsensure that the broader Anticipatory Action portfolimakes best use of IRC’s significant historical investments in broader cash programming & existing cash capacity. 
• Cash Preparedness
• Cash Readiness: initial assessment of Country Program cash capacity in the initial G/ NGdecision and determination of cash support requirements during the contingency planning period
• Cash Feasibility: specific assessments that may be required tdetermine the feasibility of cash transfers in specific locations where Anticipatory Action responses are activated. 
• Cash Preparedness: additional short-term cash preparedness activities that may be needed (based on cash readiness assessment) before the start of an Anticipatory Action response. 
• Cash Preparedness: if there are periods with limited Anticipatory Action responses planned: cash preparedness activities in Country Programs with significant long-term climate vulnerability but not on the IRC Watchlist (since these are supported by EHAU). 
• Early Warning
• Cash transfers are combined with Early Warning messages using IRC’s digital platform: Signpost
• For flood hazards, IRC is piloting the integration of Signpost and Google Flood Hub tautomate the delivery of early warning messages
• The Anticipatory Action Specialist will support the design & timely delivery of early warning messages as a key part of the rapid contingency planning process. 
• Learning & Documentation
• Develop & update Standard Operating Procedures for the use of cash in IRC’s Anticipatory Action responses 
• Document Anticipatory Action responses tsupport policy & advocacy, communications & learning. 
• Support & encourage collaboration with key partners 
• Support national coordination & partnerships with other operational agencies & coordination forums. 
• Support the Senior Specialist and Climate Global Practice Lead in external donor and stakeholder engagement related tIRC’s “follow the forecasts” approach tAnticipatory Action.
• Externally represent and advocate for AA with local stakeholders and local / national Government.
• Lead Anticipatory Action capacity building and communication efforts (15%)
• Lead internal capacity building of Country Program team in core Anticipatory Action tools in Counties where an Anticipatory Action response is triggered.
• Support efforts traise awareness of IRC’s “follow the forecast” approach tAnticipatory Action internally among Technical Units, EHAU, Country Programs & Regional teams.
• Support efforts traise awareness of IRC’s “follow the forecast” approach tAnticipatory Action amongst other operational agencies in Countries where an Anticipatory Action response is triggered.
• Key Working Relationships: 
• Anticipatory Action Team: Anticipatory Action Senior Specialist, Anticipatory Action Specialist (HEA), Anticipatory Action Coordinator & Climate Analyst
• Country Programs (DDP, ERD Coordinator, Emergency Coordinator)
• Emergency & Humanitarian Assistance Unit (EHAU)
• Technical Units (Health, Education, Protection, Economic Recovery & Development)
• Policy & Advocacy and Communications
• Position directly supervises: Anticipatory Action Coordinator
• Other Internal and/or external contacts: 
• Internal: EHAU, Research and Innovation department teams, ERD Technical Unit teams, Grant Operations & Analytics Team, Awards Management Unit staff, and IRC country office staff.
• External: Trafigura Foundation, Google.org.

Job Qualifications: 

• It is highly desirable, but not essential, that the Anticipatory Action Specialist is an experienced Cash practitioner with a comprehensive understanding of the use of cash transfers in both humanitarian and longer-term development contexts – as well was Fragile & Conflict Affected States
• Understanding of IRC cash transfer systems & protocols would be an advantage but is not essential 
• Demonstrated experience of the use of cash for education, health & protection would be an advantage
• Experience in contingency planning & emergency responses would be desirable. 

Work Experience:

• At least 5- 8 years of professional experience leading both humanitarian & development responses, including contingency planning, with demonstrated analytical skills.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 60

Level of Education: bachelor degree

Job application procedure

Interested and qualified? Go to International Rescue Committee on careers.rescue.org to apply

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