Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Assistant

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 work tirelessly to ensure effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people globally. WFP is recognized for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. The organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its efforts in combating hunger and promoting peace.

Job Overview:
The Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the WFP mission in Iran, particularly under the Disaster Risk Reduction program and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. The successful candidate will work under the direct supervision of the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director, focusing on enhancing Iran's resilience to various natural hazards, including hydro-meteorological and geophysical risks. The role involves implementing specialized program support activities related to disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and emergency preparedness. The DRR Assistant will be responsible for planning, monitoring, and reporting on DRR projects, ensuring alignment with WFP policies and standards. This position requires a proactive approach to identifying implementation issues and developing solutions to enhance program effectiveness.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the DRR Assistant include:

• Supporting the planning, implementation, and monitoring of DRR and climate resilience projects, ensuring adherence to WFP policies.
• Compiling and analyzing program information to prepare reports, presentations, and situation updates.
• Contributing to the development and implementation of contingency plans and standard operating procedures related to disaster risk reduction.
• Coordinating with government counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders involved in DRR initiatives.
• Organizing technical meetings, workshops, and consultations, including preparing agendas and follow-up activities.
• Leading WFP's participation in inter-agency coordination mechanisms related to disaster risk reduction and climate action.
• Conducting assessments of disaster risk, vulnerability, and preparedness, and compiling relevant databases and records.
• Monitoring implementation performance indicators and providing recommendations for program improvement.
• Preparing technical reports and contributing to donor reports and project proposals. 1
• Leading training sessions and capacity-building activities for partners and staff on DRR and emergency preparedness. 1
• Documenting lessons learned and good practices in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience programming.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• Completion of secondary education is mandatory.
• A university degree or post-secondary certificate in Disaster Risk Management, Environmental Studies, Climate Change, Social Sciences, International Development, or a related field is highly desirable.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in disaster risk reduction, climate change, resilience, emergency preparedness, or related fields is required.
• Experience in coordinating with government entities, UN agencies, NGOs, or development partners is essential.
• Familiarity with assessments, program implementation, reporting, and stakeholder coordination is necessary.
• Experience in disaster response or preparedness programming is desirable.
• Experience working in multicultural environments and with international organizations is an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have completed secondary education, with a strong preference for those holding a university degree or post-secondary certificate in relevant fields such as Disaster Risk Management, Environmental Studies, Climate Change, Social Sciences, or International Development. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should possess at least five years of progressively responsible experience in areas related to disaster risk reduction, climate change, resilience, and emergency preparedness. This experience should include working with government entities, UN agencies, NGOs, or development partners, as well as supporting assessments and program implementation. Familiarity with disaster response programming is also desirable, along with experience in multicultural environments and international organizations.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as it is the working language of WFP. Knowledge of additional languages, particularly those relevant to the local context in Iran, would be considered an asset and beneficial for effective communication with stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role based in Tehran, Iran. The contract duration and specific compensation details will be outlined in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, ensuring reasonable accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process. All applications must be submitted through the online recruiting system, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further stages of the recruitment process.