World Food Programme
Vacancy Announcement No: RBN/007/2015
Post Title: National Emergency Preparedness & Response Officer
Grade: Service Contract SC9 (NOB equivalent)
Duty Station: WFP’s Regional Bureau for East & Central Africa (RBN), based in Nairobi
Salary: As per UN Service Contract Salary Bands
This vacancy is open to both male and female Kenyan Nationals.
Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide.
We are currently seeking to fill the position of National Emergency Preparedness & Response Officer, in support of the Regional Bureau for East & Central Africa (OMN), based in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Regional Bureau provides strategic guidance, policy/technical support and direction to WFP operations and activities in nine countries: Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda.
Job Context: The Regional Bureau Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) team is responsible for enhancing WFP’s preparedness and response capacity in emergencies including early warning, preparedness planning, crisis support and information management.
Specific focus is put on emergencies with cross border implications, where coordinated preparedness and response is crucial.
The EPR team further provides strategic and normative guidance, technical support and capacity building to Country Offices, as well as Inter-Agency coordination.
The incumbent will be part of the Regional Bureau EPR team and will be expected to maintain close functional links with the Headquarters, Regional Bureau and Country Office (CO) colleagues, as well as partner agencies.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the Regional Emergency Preparedness and Response Advisor, the National Emergency Preparedness & Response Officer will perform the following duties:
- Emergency Preparedness and support at country level, and linking the DFID supported activities with the overall DRR strategy of the country office;
- Support Country Offices in the roll out and strengthening of the EPR tool, and country office and sub office levels;
- Support country offices in the formulation and design of programme frameworks to support National Disaster Management Authorities (NDMAs), both at the policy level and the implementation level;
- Undertaking technical support missions to assist to support planning and implementation of activities funded through the DFID grant, and provide technical advice and practical support, as required;
- Providing support in the drafting of the IA Contingency planning both at regional and country levels;
- Support IA and internal WFP simulations and table top exercises, and train partners in risk profiling and contingency planning;
- Coordinate monitoring of the critical indicators for the risks identified at CO/SO and RB levels, as well as communicate and liaise with WFP RB and the HQ Early Warning structures on the development and monitoring of risks identified;
- Assist in reviewing key COs’ program documents during preparatory phases and provide required support in coordination with other relevant OMN units;
- Support the Head of Unit in the operational coordination of major emergency operations in regional;
- Proactively identify and map out relevant EPR related information resources for informing risk analysis and early warning;
- Identify barriers for information collection, collation, analysis and sharing and develop appropriate supportive strategies, as needed;
- Assist in strengthening information exchange and operational linkages between WFP HQ, Country Offices, Regional Bureau, other UN Regional Bureaux, and other partners;
- Assist in planning and organizing Regional and Country Offices preparedness workshops, meetings, as required;
- Deploy as required to directly support emergency operations within the region;
- Assist in other tasks as assigned by supervisors.
Qualifications and Experience
Education: Advanced University degree in social sciences, economics and other related fields, or first University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.
Experience: At least three or more years of job-related experience with humanitarian organizations or government institutions with proven field experience in emergency operations and/or emergency preparedness.
Experience in the management and coordination of emergency food assistance to affected populations is highly desirable.
Skills and Competencies:
- An understanding of the principles and global frameworks relating to disaster risk management.
- Ability to engage effectively at working level with a wide range of actors including those in the international humanitarian community and governments;
- Excellent analysis and drafting skills are required;
- Ability to work under tight deadlines;
- Maturity, initiative, courtesy, tact and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
- Proficiency in Windows, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Language:
- Fluency in both oral and written communication in English is essential.
- Proficiency official WFP language, preferably Intermediate knowledge of French highly desirable.
*This position involves extensive travel throughout the region.
Application procedures:
Step 1: Create your online CV.
Step 2: Click on “Description” to read the position requirements and “Apply” to submit your application.
NOTE: You must complete Step 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy.
Deadline for applications: 02 June 2015.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
If you have any queries relating to this VA please send them to: wfp.rbnhr@wfp.org
WFP does not charge fees at any stage during the recruitment process.
WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.