Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF has been active in Venezuela since 1967, with a focus on humanitarian action and partnerships with national authorities, civil society, and the private sector. The organization is currently implementing a four-year Country Programme Document (CPD) that began in March 2023 and is set to end in December 2026, with an extension planned until December 2027.

Job Overview:
The Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the overall emergency preparedness and response of the UNICEF country office in Venezuela. This role involves developing, planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating emergency interventions to ensure the survival and well-being of children, mothers, and affected communities. The coordinator will work under the guidance of the Deputy Representative for Programmes and will play a crucial role in humanitarian coordination, emergency preparedness, and response planning. The position requires strong leadership skills and the ability to engage with various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and UN partners, to effectively address the needs of vulnerable populations during crises.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Humanitarian Coordination and Cluster Leadership: Coordinate UNICEF’s contributions to the IASC humanitarian architecture at various levels, ensure effective participation in cluster coordination mechanisms, promote Core Commitments for Children (CCC), monitor Cluster Lead Agency accountabilities, and strengthen leadership skills of cluster coordinators.
• Emergency Preparedness and Planning: Develop and update contingency plans, formulate emergency plans of action, mainstream disaster prevention strategies, provide policy advice, and conduct emergency training for staff.
• Emergency Response Coordination: Act as Team Leader during crises, ensure staff safety, lead needs assessments, and oversee emergency operations.
• Resource Mobilization and Advocacy: Support donor relations, contribute to fundraising activities, mobilize funding for recovery efforts, and assist in advocacy strategies.
• Strategic Partnerships and Liaison: Maintain coordination with government, UN agencies, NGOs, and donors, monitor socio-economic developments, and represent UNICEF in humanitarian forums.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree in social sciences, public administration, law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration, or related fields. Specialized training in emergency response management is desired. Candidates should possess strong management and administration skills, along with relevant technical expertise.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced university degree in fields such as social sciences, public administration, law, public health, nutrition, international relations, or business administration. A combination of management, administration, and technical fields is preferred, along with specialized training in emergency response management.

Experience:
A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in program/project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration is required. Fieldwork experience in humanitarian contexts and operationalizing the nexus approach is essential.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, while fluency in English is desirable. Proficiency in another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian) is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position is applicable for national personnel only. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization offers a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and appointments are subject to medical clearance and visa requirements. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process.