Job description

The Position:

The Emergency Officer for the UNFPA Policy and Procedures for Emergency Response (EPPs) Secretariat  post is located in the Global Emergency Response Unit (GERU) within the Humanitarian Response Division (HRD), based in Geneva. Under the guidance of the Head of the Global Emergency Response Unit, the candidate provides substantive support to the GERU team in the planning and implementation of the EPPs rollout, monitoring, knowledge management, and reporting of EPPs related processes. The candidate will be responsible for the EPP secretariat function, especially,  when a corporate emergency response is activated.

Overall,  the EPP Secretariat function covers emergency response multi stakeholders coordination, knowledge management, and substantive support to  the Country Offices (COs), Regional Offices and all HQ Business Units involved in activated emergencies, as well as  supporting the preparedness planning by GERU. The ultimate aim of this role is to support GERU and HRD’s role in  ensuring  that UNFPA’s emergency responses adhere to the structured policies and procedures framework outlined in the EPPs. 

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2021-2025), focuses on critical pathways and the strategies necessary to accelerate the achievement of three transformative results: (a) ending the unmet need for family planning; (b) ending preventable maternal deaths; and (c) ending gender-based violence and harmful practices, including female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage. These three transformative results, which UNFPA is committed to achieving, also formed the basis of the current UNFPA strategic plan, 2018-2021, the first of the three strategic plans leading to 2030.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in Programme results.

 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

 

Job Purpose:

The Emergency Officer (EPP Secretary) is responsible for the following functions: 

General Emergency Coordination

  • Support the coordination role between HQ, ROs, and COs for EPP activated emergencies.
  • Provide tailored operational support for emergency preparedness and response to UNFPA’s regional and country offices.
  • Support the  quality control and standardization in applying organizational policies in emergencies.
  • Facilitate the activation and deactivation of emergency responses, and  follow up action points that ensure  EPP deliverables are met within the specified timelines.

EPP Secretariat-Specific Responsibilities

  • Support the  EPP Crisis Response Team (CRT) meetings during emergency activations and deactivations, document the proceeding of the CRT, and to follow up the implementation of the  actionable outcomes.
  • Support  the development, refinement, and dissemination of EPP tools, templates, and guidelines.
  • Support the development and monitoring of preparedness actions, including risk analysis, contingency planning, and advanced preparedness measures.
  • Monitor  and document the adherence to EPP timelines and protocols, and support the provision of the technical guidance to ROs and COs.
  • The Emergency Officer will support the coordination of the  Level 3 (L3) After Action Reviews (AARs) and support the implementation of AARs for Level 2 (L2) and Level 1 (L1) emergencies. The incumbent is responsible for consolidating and managing the knowledge that emerges from the AAR outcomes and ensuring follow-up with relevant Business Units within UNFPA to implement corrective measures and strengthen organizational response capacity.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing

  • Support the development and delivery of capacity building training sessions on EPP protocols and emergency preparedness measures.
  • Collate and synthesize lessons learned from emergency responses, contributing to the refinement of UNFPA’s emergency policies and procedures.

Data Management and Reporting

  • Collect and analyze data from emergency responses, ensuring that findings inform planning and decision-making processes.
  • Prepare periodic reports on EPP activation and response activities for senior leadership.

Cross-functional support services

  • Within the Humanitarian Response Division, liaise with various units to support the integration of cross-cutting thematic areas into UNFPA emergency response.
  • Contribute and provide inputs into interagency engagement on UNFPAs positions on emergency preparedness and response as per appropriate and requested. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

  • An advanced university degree in International Relations/Development, Business Administration, Management, Humanitarian Affairs, International Law or other similar  fields is required.

Knowledge and Experience: 

  • At least two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, field operations, emergency preparedness, project management, or advisory services in humanitarian settings, with an in-country office operations experience.
  • Proven experience in coordination and field-level program implementation.
  • Strong understanding of humanitarian response and preparedness frameworks, including the  IASC protocols.
  • Knowledge management experience is an asset, including use of dashboards and data analysis and  management. 
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to operate under stressful conditions. 
  • Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
  • Experience within the UN system would be an asset.
  • Previous secretariat experience or special assistance function will be an asset.
  • Computer literacy - Word, Excel, Power-point, etc., and good knowledge of Atlas/PeopleSoft would be an asset.
  • Proficient writing and communication skills.

Languages: 

  • Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic, French or another official UN language is considered as an asset. 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

  • Exemplifying integrity, 
  • Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
  • Embracing cultural diversity, 
  • Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

  • Integrity/Commitment to the mandate;
  • Achieving results
  • Results orientation/Commitment to excellence;
  • Self and conflict management;
  • Communicating information and ideas;
  • Ability to plan and organize;
  • Being accountable;
  • Developing and applying professional expertise/ business acumen;
  • Thinking analytically and strategically;
  • Working in teams/ managing ourselves and our relationships;
  • Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

  • Strong analytical skills.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems.
  • Proficiency in data analysis and reporting

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.