DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

10 March 2025-23:59-GMT+07:00 Indochina Time (Bangkok)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE: Regional Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer – Asia & the Pacific
TYPE OF CONTRACT: International Regular Consultant (Level II)
UNIT: Programme
DUTY STATION: Bangkok, Thailand
DURATION: 11 months

Note: This vacancy announcement will also be used to build a roster of pre-qualified applicants for future opportunities within same job profile.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Within the programme team, the Regional EPRO will be responsible for providing strategic and technical guidance and augmented capacity to country offices to enhance efficient and effective emergency response (including through WFP’s technical assistance to government stakeholders); supporting WFP’s regional and country offices on strategic long-term preparedness investments,
actions, and evidence building; and enhancing regional level coordination, partnerships, and analysis.

The successful candidate will have: (a) varied and multi-country experience in emergency food security and nutrition operations design, coordination and delivery; and (b) experience in managing the organization and implementation of in-kind and cash-based assistance distributions; and (c) experience in guiding or supporting the delivery of assistance through or by government systems.

Reporting to the Regional lead for Emergency Preparedness and Response and Cross-Cutting Issues, expected responsibilities of the EPRO International Consultant Level II may include.

Emergency response: The EPRO will play a critical role in supporting the timely, effective, and coordinated delivery of emergency preparedness and response [by WFP or by government]:
1. Depending on the context, support, advise or lead WFP country offices, their partners and national/regional actors on the preparation and delivery of: (a) contextual risk analysis and scenario building; (b) realistic contingency planning, Concept of Operations (CONOPS), and/or Operational Plans; and (c) lessons learned / after action reviews.
2. During an emergency, provide strategic guidance to WFP regional and country offices on all matters related to emergency response. Guide WFP regional and country level teams on the internal mechanisms to enable efficient WFP response such as how to harness internal surge, funding, and assets. Provide timely analysis for senior management to ensure effective decision-making, provide guidance on principled and accountable programming, support risk identification and documentation, and guide on humanitarian coordination structures. Facilitate coordination to ensure coherent, integrated, and efficient emergency preparedness and response.
3. Ahead of / during an emergency provide hands-on support to WFP country offices and governments to design and implement effective, assured, and accountable distributions. This may include supporting the design of: assistance packages (in kind basket, cash-based transfer value/mechanism); realistic targeting and identity management strategy; identification and training of frontline delivery actors (eg civil defense, community level volunteers, cooperating partner); SOPs for distribution planning and delivery; etc.

Emergency Preparedness: The EPRO will be required to support and advise country and regional offices in their preparedness work:
4. Provide technical guidance to regional and country level teams to design meaningful emergency preparedness investments and build evidence for preparedness such as through return on investment or similar methodologies.
5. Provide strategic and technical guidance and capacity building to WFP country offices and/or to regional bodies to enhance the effectiveness of government-led emergency response frameworks and policies, including through assessments such as the Emergency Preparedness Capacity Index. In collaboration with regional level technical counterparts, support WFP regional and country level teams and partners (including regional bodies) to enhance multi hazard risk and contingency planning, strengthen where needed the protocols and capacities of humanitarian response and disaster management actors, support early warning systems and accessible risk messaging, and promote / enhance sustainable disaster management systems through linkages with related systems and actions (such as anticipatory action, social registries and social protection systems, disaster risk financing).
6. Lead / support the design and delivery of targeted preparedness actions such as simulations.

Regional Coordination:
7. Identify and build meaningful strategic and operational partnerships including with academia/think tanks, humanitarian-military, non-governmental and inter-governmental bodies, and donors. Represent as appropriate WFP in external emergency and preparedness fora, ensuring that WFP’s interests and strategies are effectively communicated. Actively engage with stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge, and promote coordinated emergency preparedness and response efforts. Support the development and monitoring of action plans such as the ASEAN-UN Joint Strategic Plan of Action on Disaster Management.
8. Provide analysis on emerging country, regional or global issues relevant for WFP and for the humanitarian, food security and nutrition landscape in the region. Develop informed recommendations for WFP senior management based on emerging trends.
9. Promote exchange and learning across countries facing similar challenges. Generate knowledge management and learning products on best practices from the region for internal and external consumption and support targeted advocacy efforts. Lead the coordination and documentation of lessons learned to promote knowledge management and improve future emergency responses in the region. Identify and provide opportunities for growth for high-performing emergency response staff and teams fostering an inclusive, equitable workplace that reflects WFP’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. 10. In your regional capacity: support / manage the flow of information between WFP’s global HQ and the field; contribute to the review of corporate guidance, tools, and trainings, ensuring these are informed by field / operational realities and fit for the humanitarian and
development contexts in which WFP operates; contextualize and support the dissemination of corporate guidance, tools and trainings related to emergency preparedness and response.

Other duties as required. This position is expected to include regular travel within the region, in some cases for prolonged periods and to hardship contexts, as/when the context requires.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education: Advanced degree in one or more of the following disciplines: humanitarian diplomacy and leadership, social sciences, public policy / administration, development studies, international relations, supply chain management, or another relevant field. Or first university degree with additional years of relevant work experience and/or advanced training/courses.

Experience:
• At least 7 (seven) years of professional experience in relevant areas including at least 5 (five) years progressively responsible professional experience in at least 3 (three) diverse international humanitarian contexts.
• Experience in multiple facets of EPR programming relevant for WFP work in the region, including demonstrated ability to design, lead and coordinate delivery of food distributions and cash-based assistance in response to sudden shocks.
• Experience working to assess, deliver through, or strengthen government-led emergency response including technical assistance to disaster management and/or shock-responsive social protection systems.
• Proven ability to build partnerships with diverse stakeholders including government authorities, humanitarian partners, military actors, and to engage with affected populations.
• Experience coordinating diverse, multicultural and cross-functional teams to maximize capabilities for effective, timely support.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to write and deliver high level briefs providing clear insight and recommendations for decision making.

Preferable:
• Familiarity with Asia and the Pacific region.
• Experience in first wave earthquake response, hot meals programming, and in complex humanitarian access environments (including familiarity with rapid response mechanisms).
• Experience working with WFP and knowledge of WFP’s internal EPR procedures, policies, and systems.

Knowledge & Skills:
• Understanding of WFP’s work, mandate and humanitarian principles.
• Strong analytical, written and oral communication skills.
• Client orientation with excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to build partnerships and influence the work of others.
• Experience in building capacity for technical staff as well as in influencing / advising senior managers.
• Proven ability to produce outputs independently.
• Flexibility to travel when necessary.

Languages:

• Excellent command of English (written and spoken) is essential.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: [email protected]

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements