Technical Specialist in Humanitarian Assistance

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Government of Guate-mala signed the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2022-2025, which defines the na-tional priorities that FAO will address through actions at the country level within the scope of strategic framework. These priorities are intended to guarantee the comparative advantages of FAO to contribute to the achievement of the goals established in national policy instru-ments such as: a) the National Development Plan K'atún Nuestra Guatemala 2032 (CON-ADUR-SEGEPLAN, 2014), b) the National Development Priorities (SEGEPLAN, 2016), c) the General Government Policy 2020-2024; as well as the United Nations Cooperation Framework for the Sustainable Development of Guatemala (MC), and the 2030 Agenda, which contributes to the three Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): SDG1 (no poverty), SDG2 (zero hunger) and SDG10 (reduction of inequalities).

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations plays a pivotal role in enhancing agricultural productivity and food security worldwide, with a particular focus on supporting rural communities in developing countries. In Guatemala, the FAO's efforts are directed towards empowering local agricultural sectors, promoting sustainable development practices, and improving livelihoods in rural areas. These initiatives are crucial in a country where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy and sustains most of its population. Guatemala faces significant challenges, including climate change impacts, deforestation, and soil degradation, which threaten agricultural productivity and food security. Additionally, the country's rural communities often grapple with limited access to markets, financial services, and modern agricultural technologies. In response, the FAO office in Guatemala is implementing a range of projects aimed at addressing these challenges, fostering sustainable agricultural practices, and enhancing the resilience of rural communities.

The project “Increasing Food Security through Anticipatory Actions and Emergency Responses in Central America” is implemented in coordination with government institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), the Secretariat of Food and Nutritional Security (SESAN), the National Coordination for Disaster Reduction (CONRED), Municipalities, and Non-Governmental Organizations such as OXFAM, the Guatemalan Red Cross, and the German Red Cross, funded by the European Union through ECHO. The project focuses on anticipatory actions in response to drought, as well as responding to the damages caused by droughts in previous years, with the ultimate goal of helping families prepare for adverse climate events while also recovering productive assets affected by drought.

The project consists of three components: 1. Regional, national, and local disaster preparedness and response systems are strengthened through the adoption of national strategies for Anticipatory Actions; 2. Community-based anticipatory action systems are established, and risk-based anticipatory actions are implemented to mitigate the negative impacts of crises on lives and livelihoods before they occur, in coordination with key partners and government entities; and, 3.The livelihoods of 41,100 vulnerable rural families in Guatemala’s Dry Corridor affected by an extreme climate event associated with El Niño are restored, strengthened, and diversified through the provision of climate-adapted supplies and cash transfers. The project is being carried out in three territories of the department of Chiquimula: Camotán, Jocotán, and San José La Arada.

To support this monitoring work, we are thought in request a United Nations volunteer.

Contribute to the planning, coordination, and implementation of humanitarian interventions within the Emergency and Risk Management Unit of FAO Guatemala, which addresses the immediate needs of vulnerable populations, implements anticipatory actions in response to drought, and supports early recovery efforts. That is to strengthen community resilience in the face of emergencies, use a human rights-based, gender-sensitive, and culturally appropriate approach.

Under the direct supervision of the project coordinator, who also leads the Emergency and Risk Management Unit of FAO Guatemala, the volunteer will support humanitarian assistance efforts by carrying out the following tasks:


1. Conduct a diagnosis of the current operations of the Emergency and Risk Management Unit of FAO Guatemala, using the humanitarian response process as a guiding thread.
2. Design an appropriate operational model for the Emergency and Risk Management Unit of FAO Guatemala.
3. Design humanitarian response plans in line with institutional guidelines and humanitarian standards ( Sphere Standards (Esfera), Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), European Community Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), etc.).
4. Facilitate training sessions on humanitarian response plans aligned with institutional guidelines and humanitarian standards.
5. Conduct field visits to observe the implementation of humanitarian response with partners and local actors.
6. Develop a document outlining the ideal humanitarian response process for communities and families.
7. Facilitate training on conducting rapid humanitarian needs assessments in affected communities.
8. Support the implementation process of the ECHO Project in the territories of Chiquimula.