Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer

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 the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of eradicating hunger and improving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. WFP's vision is to create a future workforce that is diverse, skilled, and high-performing, working in an inclusive environment that reflects the values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, and continues to invest in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs.

Job Overview:
The Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the Regional Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Team and Country Offices by engaging in data analysis, information management, and quality review of emergency preparedness and response documents. This position is vital in ensuring that WFP's emergency response efforts are well-coordinated and effective, particularly in light of the increasing food insecurity across West and Central Africa, which is exacerbated by conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability. The officer will report to the Senior Regional EPR Officer and will be responsible for contributing to the development of emergency preparedness plans and protocols, providing project management support for emergency initiatives, and maintaining communication with various stakeholders to ensure timely and effective responses to emergencies. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying and addressing operational challenges, as well as a commitment to enhancing the capacity of WFP staff and partners in emergency readiness and response.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and coordinate emergency preparedness plans, ensuring alignment with WFP policies and humanitarian standards.
• Provide project management support for preparedness initiatives, including learning programs and operational planning.
• Maintain communication with EPR focal points in Country Offices to gather updates on humanitarian needs and operational challenges.
• In emergencies, escalate critical information to senior EPR officers and coordinate support mobilization.
• Identify and manage strategic partnerships to enhance collaborative efforts in food assistance delivery.
• Design and manage emergency data collection systems, ensuring high-quality insights.
• Conduct research on disaster risk and operational effectiveness to inform preparedness strategies.
• Prepare global and regional emergency-related documents under senior guidance.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners for effective collaboration in preparedness efforts. 1
• Support the formulation of preparedness project documents in collaboration with other units. 1
• Contribute to capacity-building efforts for WFP staff and partners. 1
• Provide technical support to Country Office staff for operational challenges. 1
• Lead or support field missions for crisis response activities. 1
• Ensure robust information management for emergency activities. 1
• Contribute to accurate reporting on emergency programs. 1
• Perform other EPR-related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in social sciences, development, international relations, economics, political science, engineering, or related fields. They should demonstrate fluency in both English and French, with a minimum of three years of postgraduate professional experience in development, administration, or food aid support, particularly in emergency preparedness and response. Experience in humanitarian assistance, food aid, disaster mitigation, and contingency planning is essential. Knowledge of the UN system and experience working with WFP are desirable qualifications.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, development, international relations, economics, political science, or engineering is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of humanitarian work and emergency response.

Experience:
The position requires at least three years of postgraduate professional experience in areas related to development, administration, or food aid support, with a specific focus on emergency preparedness and response. Candidates should have experience in humanitarian assistance, food aid, emergency response, disaster mitigation, and contingency planning, as well as familiarity with early warning systems and food needs assessments.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and French is mandatory for this position, with a level C proficiency required. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified at the NOB level and is based in Dakar/Diamniadio, Senegal. The role is full-time, and the application deadline is set for 19 December 2025 at 23:59 GMT. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and encourages individuals with disabilities to apply. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and emphasizes the importance of submitting a complete and accurate application.