TYPE OF CONTRACT: International Consultant (Level II) – include When Actually Employed contract model
UNIT: Programme
DUTY STATION: Roster – open for any duty station
DURATION: Any
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Emergency Simulations Specialist will be responsible for providing technical guidance and support to WFP teams, partners and government stakeholders. Depending on the theme of the simulation (eg: logistics, cash-based assistance, anticipatory action, etc), the Specialist will need to work closely with subject matter experts in the Country Office and Regional Bureau.
While exact tasks will be determined by the requesting partner / office, responsibilities could entail:
1. Planning and Development:
- Support WFP regional / country office and the requesting party (eg regional body, government agency, other) to define the intended outcome(s) and objective(s). Advise accordingly on the most appropriate format of the exercise, estimate budget and lead time.
- Lead (or support) the planning, development, and coordination of the exercise. Ensure that scenarios and materials are tailored to reflect the relevant emergency response context, national emergency mechanisms and protocols, and latest guidance and best practices.
- Identify, organise, and oversee the preparation of necessary equipment and materials. Coordinate with relevant teams for administrative and logistical arrangements to ensure seamless preparation and execution of activities.
- Liaise with government representatives, disaster management actors, UN agencies, NGOs, and other partners to integrate relevant stakeholders into simulations, fostering a collaborative approach to emergency preparedness. Conduct pre-briefings with facilitators, observers, and participants to ensure role clarity and alignment on objectives.
2. Management, Facilitation and Troubleshooting:
- Lead (or co-lead) the implementation of the exercise.
- Facilitate and provide real-time support and troubleshooting during simulations, adapting scenarios as needed and addressing emerging challenges. Maintain clear communication throughout the exercise.
- Conduct post-exercise debrief to collect learnings and outcomes.
3. Documentation and Capacity Building:
- Provide the repository of documentation and materials (TTX/SIMEX design, budget, and timeline of project; all materials and injects; etc) to the country office and regional bureau prior to the end of assignment, for knowledge management.
- In the end of project report or related deliverable, capture lessons learned and identify areas for improvement to refine scenarios, processes, and deliverables for future exercises.
- Train/mentor WFP staff and partners involved in the process to strengthen their capacities and confidence in development/facilitation of TTX/SIMEX.
- Depending on the skillset of the Specialist, through the SIMEX engagement work with WFP (and requesting partner) to identify opportunities to strengthen the relevant emergency response systems, policies, and plans tested as part of the exercise.
4. Other Duties:
- Upon request, support emergency preparedness and response activities as needed and undertake additional tasks as assigned by tasking entity (Regional Bureau or Country Office), such as developing training of trainers or simulation guidance materials and manuals.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education
- Minimum of bachelor’s degree in one or more of the following disciplines: social sciences, development studies, public policy / administration, international relations, or another relevant field.
Experience:
- ONLY CANDIDATES WHO HAVE DIRECT EXPERIENCE IN LEADING THE DESIGN AND FACILITATION OF SIMULATIONS / TRAINING EXERCISES SHOULD APPLY.
- Minimum of 6-10 years of professional experience in disaster management / emergency preparedness with the UN, government, NGO, Red Cross, and/or private sector. Including as mandatory, at least 2 years of diverse (multi country/theme) experiences in leading the design and facilitation of emergency related simulations, training exercises, or disaster response scenarios.
- Experience coordinating joint pieces of work (training, simulation, response plan, other) across a diverse set of actors including government, UN, NGO, Red Cross Societies, defence actors, civil society, private sector, development actors and donors.
- Experience working with government systems to strengthen emergency response capacities, including collaboration on contingency planning, preparedness activities, or reviewing/testing national emergency protocols and shock responsive systems.
Knowledge & Skills:
- Proven ability to work independently, manage and progress projects;
- Client orientation with excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to build partnerships with people from diverse professional backgrounds (development and humanitarian sectors, defense, government, etc);
- Experience in training and building capacity and skills of others;
- Strong written and oral communication skills;
- Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse multicultural environment;
- Flexibility to travel when necessary, including hardship duty stations.
- Experience working in Asia and the Pacific an added asset.
Languages:
- Excellent command of English (written and spoken) essential;
- Knowledge of additional language/s relevant to Asia and the Pacific beneficial.