Organizational Setting

The Vietnam Disaster Monitoring System (VDMS) was developed by the DMPTC under the VDDMA and is one of the several digital tools used to support disaster management interventions. The system compiles various (static) socio-economic and historical hazard data nationwide at different administrative and national levels. Even though the availability of socio-economic data has improved in recent years, the socio-economic indicators have yet to be fully unlocked and systematically organized for supporting decision-making processes ahead of a disaster.

The project OSRO/GLO/113/EC “Increasing capacities and scale for Anticipatory Action including through Social Protection systems” funded by DG ECHO aims to work on scaling up a humanitarian approach to Anticipatory Action (AA) through the implementation of a combination of early actions as to reduce the potential impacts on lives and livelihoods of communities at risk.

To achieve this, the project plans to support upgrading the Vietnam Disaster Monitoring System (VDMS) and the development of an Impact-based Forecast (IBF), aiming to have the commune risk map in place. This will contribute to the decision on where to implement AA. Currently, the project has access to the aggregated damage data at the provincial level as well as socio-economic data such as population density, household size, children, elderly, houses, PWD, female-headed households, etc.…at the commune level as inputs for the analysis and calculation of a commune risk map.

Against this background, the commune risk map specialist will analyze the available data of one province. The result of this analysis will set the tone for the methodology to be replicated in other provinces and eventually will serve as inputs for developing the platform for a commune risk map and IBF that will be integrated into VNDMS.

Reporting Lines

The Commune Risk Map Specialist will work under the overall administrative supervision of the FAO Representative, daily supervision of the Assistant to FAO Representative (Programme), and the technical supervision of the Disaster Risk Management Technical Specialist. The Commune Risk Map Specialist will further work in close collaboration with the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) Anticipatory Action team.

Technical Focus

Develop the methodology for calculation for the commune risk map based on the damage data at the provincial level and socio-economic data at the commune level for one province, and replicate in other provinces.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Review the available data including aggregated damage data at the province and socio-economic data at the commune level;
•    Review the first analysis of data and commune risk map using INFORM Risk Index submitted by 510 Team;
•    Develop the methodology for analysis and calculation of the provided data for the development of the commune risk map;
•    Support FAO to facilitate the consultation and consensus with DMPTC and provincial VDMA on the proposed methodology;
•    Propose a methodology for developing commune storm risk maps based on key indicators, i.e. windspeed and rainfall accumulation, which potentially impact the target provinces and communities;
•    Develop the commune-based questionnaire for validating storm risk model results;
•    Validate the storm risk and storm damage in pilot province under certain past storms;
•    Process data analysis and develop commune storm risk maps for a pilot province in the project area;
•    Expand the agreed and tested methodology to other target provinces;
•    Work with FAO international experts (Anticipatory Action Specialist and Hydro-meteorologist) to improve the methodologies that can be applied to other provinces such as Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam and Phu Yen
•    Support FAO to carry out the training for relevant staff of DMPTC/provincial VDMA;
•    Propose ways to collect aggregated damage data at the commune level to validate and adjust the model for more accuracy of the result of storm risk maps.
•    Support FAO in coordinating with DMPTC in the process of the upgrade of VNDMS;
•    Support FAO and DPMTC to work with a subcontractor to develop the platform for a commune risk map and IBF that will be integrated into VNDMS;
•    Support FAO to ensure the integration of the commune risk map and IBF into the platform developed by an IT company is accepted by DMPTC;
•    Support FAO to facilitate training on commune risk maps for government staff.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    Advanced university degree in one or more of the following: Development Studies, Humanitarian Assistance, Climate Change response, Early Warning and Risk Analysis, Disaster Risk Management, GIS and spatial data modeling, or a closely related field;
•    At least 2 years of experience in similar work for natural risk mapping with national and international NGO’s, UN agencies, governments, and donors;
•    Working knowledge of English and Vietnamese.
•    National of Viet Nam or resident of the country with valid work permit.;

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Work experience in a similar area;
•    Excellent organizational skills;
•    Good written communication skills, including in emergency settings;
•    GIS background;
•    Demonstrated ability to analyse problems, make appropriate recommendations, effective decisions, including in emergency settings;
•    Strong foundation in programme formulation, planning, implementation, management, and evaluation.

Selection Criteria

•    Experience in working with government agencies in conducting research, emergency operations, and community-based disaster risk reduction.
•    Being familiar with working with concerned government bodies including the Ministry of Rural Agriculture and Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
•    Experience in climate finance, disaster risk, and resource mobilization from private and public sectors for disaster management and CC response.
•    Experience in working with vulnerable groups, gender equity and inclusion.