Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance as a means to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates in numerous countries around the globe, employing thousands of individuals dedicated to humanitarian efforts. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging candidates from various backgrounds to apply. WFP's mission is centered around the values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, ensuring that the workforce reflects the communities it serves. WFP has received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to global humanitarian efforts. The organization invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Job Overview:
The Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer position at WFP involves supporting the coordination and implementation of emergency preparedness and relief activities. The role requires responsiveness to the diverse needs of women, men, and youth in both urban and rural contexts. The officer will contribute to designing anticipatory action interventions in collaboration with humanitarian partners, review relief project proposals, and provide project management support. This includes liaising with internal units, conducting field visits to monitor implementation, and drafting analytical reports on program status and resource utilization. The officer will also contribute to the Humanitarian Response Plan and strengthen the capacity of WFP staff and partners in emergency preparedness and response. This position is critical in ensuring that effective humanitarian assistance reaches those in need, and it requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and collaboration with various stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer include:

• Supporting the coordination and implementation of emergency preparedness and relief activities, ensuring responsiveness to the diverse needs of affected populations.
• Contributing to the design of anticipatory action interventions in collaboration with humanitarian partners.
• Reviewing relief project proposals and presenting them to the Project Review Committee, following up on committee recommendations with Area Offices.
• Providing project management support, including conducting field visits to monitor implementation and resolve operational issues.
• Drafting analytical reports on program status, food needs, resource utilization, and performance trends, ensuring compliance with corporate quality standards.
• Contributing to the Humanitarian Response Plan (security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security pillar) and related donor reporting.
• Strengthening the capacity of WFP staff, partners, and government counterparts in emergency preparedness and response.
• Serving as a focal point for resolving operational issues within the relief portfolio.
• Tracking and following up on resource utilization under relief projects. 1
• Supporting Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) processes, ensuring timely information sharing and feedback mechanisms for affected communities. 1
• Facilitating community-level program integration and feedback processes. 1
• Contributing to project closure reporting and providing inputs for routine reports and donor communications. 1
• Performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer position include:

• Completion of Secondary School Education or a University Degree (Diploma/Bachelor) in International Relations, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Economics, Agriculture, Urban and Rural Development, or any other related fields.
• At least seven (7) years of experience with a Secondary School Certificate or University Degree (Diploma/Bachelor’s) with a minimum of two (2) or more years of relevant experience in emergency assistance and humanitarian programs.
• A good knowledge and experience working in relief, nutrition, SafetyNet, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), or livelihood-related program activities.
• Solid knowledge of humanitarian work, standards, and principles, with a very good understanding of food security and related interventions.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, along with solid analytical skills and the capacity to synthesize complex information.
• Ability to plan and coordinate effectively, and to work under pressure while delivering quality inputs.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes the completion of Secondary School Education or a University Degree (Diploma/Bachelor) in relevant fields such as International Relations, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Economics, Agriculture, Urban and Rural Development, or any other related disciplines. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of humanitarian work and the various factors that influence emergency preparedness and response efforts.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer position is significant, requiring at least seven (7) years of experience in the field. Candidates with a Secondary School Certificate must have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience in emergency assistance and humanitarian programs. This experience should encompass a good understanding of relief operations, nutrition, SafetyNet, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), or livelihood-related program activities, particularly in fragile contexts or emergency settings.

Languages:
Fluency in English (level C) and Somali is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including affected communities, partners, and internal teams. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is open to qualified Somali national candidates only, with a strong encouragement for female candidates to apply. WFP is committed to providing female-friendly spaces in the workplace. The organization emphasizes the importance of an inclusive work environment and supports individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. The position may involve a contract of varying duration, and candidates should be aware that all employment decisions are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process, and candidates are advised to be cautious when submitting personal information online.