Consultant - Programme Policy Officer- Emergency Preparedness and Response, Khartoum, Sudan
Support emergency preparedness and response strategies in Sudan.
Overview
Support emergency preparedness and response strategies in Sudan.
You have:
- Masters level degree in social sciences such as Sociology, Political Science, or other relevant fields.
- At least 5 years of professional working experience in the field of emergency preparedness in various contexts, preferably with experience in Sudan or in the region.
- Knowledge and understanding of key food security challenges in Sudan; ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds.
- Willingness to travel to field duty stations in challenging conditions.
- Excellent written and oral English skills, working knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage.
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WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.
Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.
ABOUT WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
In 2021, Sudan's humanitarian needs continued to grow, compounded by protracted conflict and displacement, natural shocks (such as droughts and flooding), epidemics, malnutrition and food insecurity across the country. At the macro level, the ongoing economic crisis has placed a significant number of Sudanese nationals, refugees and IDPs, including people in hard-to-reach areas, in a severe state of food insecurity. The 2021 Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) identified 9.3 million people – nearly one in four of people in Sudan– in need of humanitarian assistance. One of WFP Sudan's key priorities is to improve its capacity and that of its partners to effectively prepare for, anticipate and respond to rapid and slow onset shocks. Under the direct supervision of the Head of Emergencies, the Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer plays a key role in strengthening WFP's ability in EPR. The candidate works across the various functional areas within WFP Sudan, leading a team and coordinating with key partners, including the Government, to find innovative and strategic emergency preparedness opportunities. The candidate manages operational partnerships, implementation, and reporting related to emergency preparedness.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
- Support the drafting and designing of the CO's emergency preparedness and response strategy in an effort to bridge the humanitarian, development and peace nexus;
- Lead the Emergency Preparedness and Response Information Sharing Platform in collaboration with RBN, HQ, the Government of Sudan entities and WFP Area Offices;
- Supervise and lead the design, implementation and monitoring of innovative emergency preparedness actions, including Forecast Based Financing and Anticipatory Action
- Provide regular technical reviews of the CO preparedness plans and ensure that these are in line with the CO Country Strategic Plan (CSP), the emergency and preparedness strategy (once designed);
- Provide critical support to the Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit on EPR matters;
- Draft regular donor proposals for internal and external emergency preparedness and response capacity strengthening opportunities, in coordination with other relevant WFP units such as M&E, VAM and Resilience;
- Draft contingency plans at country level and facilitate/ participate in inter-agency simulation and programme criticality exercises, should be needed;
- Provide support and advice to CO on corporate issues such as risk mitigation and compliance matters;
- Other duties as required.
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT
Enhanced WFP's leadership status in forums relating to emergency preparedness; Effective emergency preparedness actions are in place, i.e. early warning, risk analysis, and contingency planning, in order to respond to humanitarian crises and needs. Compliance with corporate emergency preparedness strategies ensured. Implementation of pilots/innovative EPR such as Forecast Based Financing (FbF) and/or Anticipatory Action.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Masters level degree in social sciences such as Sociology, Political Science, or other relevant fields.
Experience: At least 5 years of professional working experience in the field of emergency preparedness in various contexts, preferably with experience in Sudan or in the region. Fully familiar with emergency preparedness protocols in different settings.
Knowledge & Skills: Knowledge and understanding of key food security challenges in Sudan; ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds. Willingness to travel to field duty stations in challenging conditions.
Languages: Excellent written and oral English skills, working knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
15 August 2021
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Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply
WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
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.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time when you had to develop an emergency response plan? | This assesses your experience in developing response strategies in urgent situations. | Discuss a specific instance, highlighting the steps you took and the outcomes achieved. |
| How do you prioritize tasks when dealing with multiple emergencies? | The interviewer seeks to understand your ability to manage pressure and prioritize effectively. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies would you employ to ensure effective communication among diverse stakeholders? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a challenging situation you faced in disaster management and how you dealt with it. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What role does community engagement play in emergency preparedness? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |