Anticipatory Action and Preparedness Officer

Volunteering Crisis & Emergency Response

Overview

Support UNICEF's humanitarian preparedness and anticipatory action initiatives effectively.

You have:

• Demonstrated interest or experience in emergency preparedness, anticipatory action, humanitarian action, and climate resilience.
• Knowledge management, content development, communication and documentation experience.
• Abilities in drafting and editing clear and engaging documents, reports and knowledge products.
• Familiarity with data collection, consolidation and analysis for programme activities.
• Experience in organizing events, workshops or training sessions.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment with colleagues and partners from diverse backgrounds.

Contract

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The Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS) provides strategic and coordinated support to Country Offices preparing for and responding to humanitarian crises, in collaboration with Regional Offices and Centres of Excellence (CoEs), to ensure that they have the right capacities to respond effectively and deliver on UNICEF’s Core Commitments to Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs). EMOPS leads efforts to ensure that UNICEF’s role in complex emergencies and natural disasters is clearly defined, that the organisation is properly equipped to fulfil that role, and that all levels of the organisation are prepared to deliver on its mandate.

The Risk Analysis and Preparedness Section (RAPS) within EMOPS supports UNICEF in being ready to meet the CCCs in humanitarian emergencies and contributes to the organisation’s ability to assess, anticipate and adapt to a range of risks. RAPS aims to strengthen UNICEF’s preparedness to save and protect lives and reduce children’s vulnerability in the face of crises.

UNICEF’s anticipatory action work is expanding rapidly to help Country Offices and Regional Offices design, implement and document anticipatory action frameworks that protect children and communities from forecastable hazards and predictable crises. This assignment will support both the technical and coordination aspects of this growing portfolio, including documentation of good practices, development of communication materials, and support for country office capacity building. The role will also contribute to the organisation of events, training sessions and other capacity building activities at country and regional levels.

Through this assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with Country Offices and Regional Offices where anticipatory action frameworks are being developed or implemented, gaining valuable experience in humanitarian preparedness, climate resilience and knowledge management.

In addition, the assignment will support broader emergency preparedness initiatives led by RAPS, including the development and roll-out of the Emergency Preparedness Platform 3.0 (EPP 3.0), a core corporate system designed to strengthen emergency preparedness and response planning across Country Offices. As UNICEF prepares for the global launch of EPP 3.0, the UN Volunteer will support the development of roll-out materials and coordination with Country Offices, including data consolidation, integration of inputs into the platform and analysis of preparedness information.

Under the direct supervision of the Emergency Specialist, the Anticipatory Action and Preparedness Officer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Content development and knowledge management • Support Country Offices and Regional Offices with documentation and reporting on existing anticipatory action frameworks • Assist in developing templates and guidance for Country Offices to collect video stories, photos, and beneficiary stories • Contribute to knowledge sharing products such as case studies, good practices, and lessons learned • Support the management and updating of UNICEF’s anticipatory action SharePoint site and related knowledge platforms • Support the roll-out and promotion of UNICEF’s anticipatory action training on AGORA

2. Support coordination and contribute to proposal development • Support Country Offices in developing concept notes and proposals for new anticipatory action frameworks • Assist with drafting resource mobilization concept notes in collaboration with the Global Programme Division, clusters, and relevant divisions such as the Public Partnerships Division (PPD) and Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP) • Coordinate with Country Offices, Regional Offices, and Centres of Excellence (CoEs) to gather inputs, templates, and updates related to anticipatory action initiatives

3. Support for organizing events, training sessions, and capacity building • Provide support for planning and delivering trainings, workshops, and capacity building sessions for Country Offices • Assist with coordination of country and regional learning events related to anticipatory action • Contribute to documentation of key outcomes and lessons learned from these activities

4. Support to emergency preparedness initiatives and EPP 3.0 roll-out • Support the roll-out and launch of the Emergency Preparedness Platform 3.0 (EPP 3.0) • Assist the Emergency Specialist with compiling and integrating data provided by Country Offices into the EPP system • Support coordination with Country Offices to collect, consolidate, and review preparedness information required for the platform • Contribute to the preparation of guidance materials and resources supporting the EPP roll-out • Support the Emergency Specialist with other emergency preparedness related tasks and assignments as required. • Perform any other duties as delegated by the supervisor.

· Accountability

· Adaptability and flexibility

· Creativity

· Judgement and decision-making

· Planning and organising

· Professionalism

· Self-management

Demonstrated interest or experience in: • Emergency preparedness, Anticipatory Action, Humanitarian action, climate resilience, • Knowledge management, content development, communication and documentation • Supporting coordination across multiple offices and partners • Organizing events, workshops or training sessions

Skills in: • Drafting and editing clear and engaging documents, reports and knowledge products • Supporting data collection, consolidation and analysis for programme activities • Working effectively in a diverse, international team environment • Coordinating tasks and activities across different offices and partners

Additional competencies: • Strong organizational and communication skills • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing • Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment with colleagues and partners from diverse backgrounds • Solid computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email, and internet tools • Self-motivated with the ability to work with minimum supervision and manage multiple tasks within tight deadlines • Interest in humanitarian preparedness, anticipatory action, and the work of UNICEF and the UN system

Rome, the capital of Italy, is a large metropolitan city with a Mediterranean climate featuring cool, humid winters and warm, dry summers. Housing in central districts is generally expensive, and utilities such as gas and electricity are commonly not included in rental agreements.

Public transportation is extensive, with metro lines, buses, and trams serving most neighborhoods, and the city offers reliable internet connectivity with widespread high‑speed service. English is widely spoken in tourist and international areas, though basic Italian is essential for managing everyday tasks and administrative processes.

Crime levels are generally low, although petty theft occurs in crowded areas and major transport hubs such as Termini Station, where extra caution is advised at night.

Rome offers a culturally rich environment with historic landmarks, vibrant local communities, and a unique blend of ancient and modern life, requiring adaptability and cultural awareness from those relocating to the city

UN Volunteers are expected to arrange their own housing and living arrangements prior to or upon arrival.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances:

Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations of the monthly post adjustment.

The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.

Monthly Living Allowance (Per month, paid in USD): apx. USD 2524.1 Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 3500 Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): USD 225 Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations in the exchange rate.

Leave entitlements: Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified sick leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle. Uncertified sick leave: 7 days for 12 months and 4 days for shorter assignments Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months (shorter assignments are prorated)

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 months ago - Updated 3 months ago - Source: unv.org