JOB DESCRIPTION

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

19 December 2025-23:59-GMT Greenwich Mean Time (Dakar)

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: Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer
LEVEL: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.

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