Programme Policy Officer (disaster Risk Modeling Analyst) - SSA8 (re-advertised)

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity. WFP uses food assistance to support people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. We are committed to diversity, inclusion, and investing in our employees' personal and professional development.

Job Purpose

The Programme Policy Officer (Disaster Risk Modeling Analyst) will be instrumental in enhancing the performance of an advanced early warning system designed to predict and mitigate the impact of natural disasters like landslides and storms. This role involves coordinating extensive field data collection, analyzing historical and real-time data (including geological, meteorological, and vulnerability information), and integrating data from various sources. The analyst will calibrate disaster prediction models, quantify risks, and develop accurate early warning messages. A key responsibility includes designing and updating informative dashboards for strategic decision-making, ensuring seamless data integration, and collaborating with modeling experts to continuously improve model accuracy and functionality. The position also requires disseminating warning messages effectively and providing training to stakeholders, ultimately contributing to WFP's mission of saving lives and changing them for the better.

Responsibilities

The Programme Policy Officer (Disaster Risk Modeling Analyst) is responsible for enhancing an early warning system designed to predict and mitigate the impact of natural disasters. Key duties include coordinating extensive field data collection for model verification and analyzing historical, geological, and meteorological data to understand hazard patterns. The role involves integrating data from various sources, including stakeholder APIs, and assessing community, infrastructure, and ecosystem vulnerability. A significant part of the job is calibrating disaster prediction models, determining risk probabilities, and generating accurate early warning messages. This includes analyzing model thresholds and outputs to suggest calibration improvements and organizing review meetings with experts. The officer will also design and implement informative dashboards for strategic decision-making, continuously updating them with real-time data. Furthermore, responsibilities extend to innovating and improving existing disaster models, staying updated on technological advancements, and collaborating with modeling experts. The role also involves overseeing the generation and dissemination of warning messages, analyzing risks based on system-generated datasets, and designing communication structures for these messages. Feedback collection from emergency responders and local communities is crucial, as is coaching and training staff and stakeholders on early warning system functionalities. Maintaining up-to-date risk exposure information, processing risk control data, and proposing mitigation measures are also key aspects of this position.

Work Experience

Requires advanced data analysis skills for interpreting complex datasets and extracting actionable insights. Experience with predictive models, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for spatial data analysis and hazard risk mapping, and geospatial technology (e.g., ArcGIS) is highly advantageous. Proficiency in Python for model development, data analysis, and process automation is also needed.

Skills

Data Collection, Data Processing, Data Analysis, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Mathematical Modeling, Disaster Risk Management, Early Warning Systems, Dashboard Development, Python Coding, Communication, Planning, Organizational Skills, Problem Solving, Leadership, Mentoring

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