JOB TITLE: Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer
GRADE: National Officer Level B (NOB)
**UNIT/DIVISION:**Programme-EPR
**DUTY STATION (City, Country):**Dakar/Diamniadio, Senegal
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:
Food insecurity across West and Central Africa is worsening due to conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability. Over 36 million people are currently affected, with projections exceeding 52 million during the June–August 2025 lean season. The crisis disproportionately impacts displaced populations, including refugees and internally displaced persons.
To address these growing needs, WFP aims to assist 11.7 million vulnerable individuals in 2025. The Regional Office for Western and Central Africa (WACARO), based in Dakar, provides strategic and technical support to WFP operations in 19 countries across the region. To strengthen its response, WFP is recruiting an Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer, level B.
JOB PURPOSE:
Reporting to the Senior Regional EPR Officer, the incumbent will support the Regional EPR Team and Country Offices in data analysis, information management, and quality review of emergency preparedness and response documents to strengthen coordinated emergency efforts.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):
1. Contribute to the development and coordination of emergency preparedness plans, contingency frameworks, and response protocols, ensuring alignment with WFP policies, humanitarian standards, and global guidance.
2. Provide project management support for preparedness and emergency response initiatives, including learning programs, simulation exercises, and operational planning, ensuring coherence with broader humanitarian strategies.
3. Maintain regular communication with Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) focal points in Country Offices to gather updates on humanitarian needs, operational challenges, and support requirements, and ensure timely information flow to Regional Office, Global HQ, and senior management.
4. In sudden-onset emergencies, escalate critical information to senior EPR officers and coordinate the mobilization of support requested by Country Offices, ensuring rapid and effective response.
5. Support the identification, development, and management of strategic partnerships, including participation in stakeholder discussions and drafting of partnership documents (e.g., MoUs), to enhance collaborative efforts and improve food assistance delivery.
6. Design and manage emergency data collection and monitoring systems, including early warning indicators, risk analysis, and compliance tracking (e.g., Emergency Preparedness Checklist), ensuring high-quality, actionable insights.
7. Conduct research and analysis on disaster risk, vulnerability, and operational effectiveness to inform the design of preparedness strategies, emergency interventions, and policy development.
8. Prepare and contribute to global and regional emergency-related documents, including Hunger Hotspot reports, Risk Outlooks, Corporate Alert System updates, and Operational Response Plans, under the guidance of senior EPR officers.
9. Coordinate with internal units and external partners, including government agencies, NGOs, and UN bodies—to ensure effective collaboration in preparedness and response efforts, and proactively identify risks to operational delivery.
10. Support the formulation and implementation of preparedness and emergency project documents, such as Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), in collaboration with other Regional Office units.
11. Contribute to capacity-building efforts for WFP staff, partners, and national governments, including training design, technical guidance, and support for learning initiatives to strengthen emergency readiness and response capabilities.
12. Provide technical support and guidance to Country Office staff, acting as a point of referral for operational challenges, analysis, and strategic queries.
13. Lead or support field missions to assist Country Offices in the implementation of crisis response activities, including surge support, coordination, and operational troubleshooting.
14. Ensure robust information management for emergency preparedness and response activities, including documentation of lessons learned and facilitation of knowledge sharing across the region.
15. Contribute to accurate and timely reporting on emergency programs and activities, supporting informed decision-making and consistent communication with stakeholders.
16. Perform other EPR-related duties as required by the EPR Team
Competencies and Skills:
Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
Reporting
Good analytical skills
Good computer skills with the ability to effectively use databases
Ability to work under pressure in a security challenging environment
Ability to work under tight deadlines
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Education:
Advanced University degree in a field related to social sciences, development or international relationships, economics, political science, engineering, or other related fields.
Language: Fluency (level C) in English and in French languages.
Experience:
At least 3 years of postgraduate professional experience in development, administration or food aid support, emergency preparedness and response.
Experience in humanitarian assistance, food aid, emergency response, disaster mitigation, contingency planning, early warning, food needs assessments, budget and programming.
Desirable: knowledge of the UN system at national and regional levels.
Desirable: experience in working with WFP.
More Information
- Job City Senegal
