Emergency Preparedness and Response Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and extreme weather shocks. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries and employs thousands of staff members worldwide, all committed to addressing hunger and promoting security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. WFP's mission is to ensure that no one goes hungry, and it works tirelessly to provide food assistance to those in need, while also focusing on long-term solutions to hunger and malnutrition. WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, highlighting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts globally. The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its workforce, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Job Overview:
The Emergency Preparedness and Response Consultant will play a crucial role in enhancing WFP's emergency preparedness and response capabilities in Venezuela. This position is vital for ensuring that the organization can effectively address current and emerging humanitarian needs while supporting national systems and government counterparts. The consultant will be responsible for leading and coordinating emergency preparedness and response activities, particularly in relation to earthquake response and the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon. The role requires a strategic approach to disaster risk management and operational readiness, ensuring that WFP and its partners are equipped to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to humanitarian emergencies. The consultant will work closely with the EPR team and field offices to implement preparedness and response activities, contributing to the overall mission of WFP to save lives and improve food security for vulnerable populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and support WFP’s emergency preparedness and emergency response activities, including earthquake response and the design and implementation of early recovery interventions.
• Support preparedness, contingency planning, and operational readiness for potential El Niño impacts in 2027, including scenario development and response planning.
• Develop, update, and maintain CONOPS, contingency plans, preparedness tools, and emergency response frameworks to strengthen institutional readiness.
• Provide technical guidance and support to the EPR team and WFP Field Offices in planning, implementing, and reporting emergency preparedness and response activities.
• Strengthen disaster risk management systems and preparedness capacities through collaboration with government counterparts, UN agencies, humanitarian clusters, NGOs, and other strategic partners.
• Coordinate with LACRO, Regional Bureau, and relevant headquarters technical units to ensure timely information sharing, access to technical support, surge capacity, and alignment with regional and corporate EPR priorities.
• Monitor evolving humanitarian, climate, socioeconomic, and operational risks, providing analysis and recommendations to strengthen WFP’s preparedness and response capacity.
• Support resource mobilization efforts through the identification and follow-up of funding opportunities related to preparedness, anticipatory action, and emergency response.
• Prepare strategic and operational inputs for internal and external reporting, donor briefings, resource mobilization materials, after-action reviews, lessons learned exercises, and senior management decision-making. 1
• Perform any other duties necessary to support the Venezuela earthquake response and broader emergency preparedness and response priorities of the Country Office.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in international affairs, economics, agriculture, business administration, social sciences, development studies, humanitarian action, disaster risk management, public policy, or another field relevant to international humanitarian assistance. A first university degree with additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have at least five years of progressively responsible postgraduate professional experience relevant to emergency preparedness, humanitarian response, programme management, food security, coordination, or related fields. Demonstrated experience in supporting emergency preparedness and response operations, particularly in sudden-onset disasters, is essential. Experience working with government counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs, donors, and community-based actors in complex operational environments is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in fields such as international affairs, economics, agriculture, business administration, social sciences, development studies, humanitarian action, disaster risk management, public policy, or other relevant areas. In cases where candidates possess a first university degree, additional years of relevant experience may be accepted as a substitute for the advanced degree, ensuring that candidates have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform effectively in this role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible postgraduate professional experience in areas related to emergency preparedness, humanitarian response, programme management, food security, coordination, or similar fields. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in supporting emergency preparedness and response operations, particularly in contexts involving sudden-onset disasters such as earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes. Experience working collaboratively with government counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs, donors, and community-based actors in complex operational environments is highly desirable. Familiarity with the Latin America and Caribbean region, particularly Venezuela or comparable contexts, is also advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in both Spanish and English, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. This requirement ensures effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including local communities, government officials, and international partners. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with a broader range of stakeholders in the humanitarian context.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is classified as a CST (Consultant) type and is expected to last for a duration of three months, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and organizational needs. The position is based in Caracas, Venezuela, and may require frequent travel to affected areas, subject to security and access conditions. WFP offers an attractive compensation package, which will be detailed in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. The organization is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities.