Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. As the international community has committed to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition by 2030, one in nine people worldwide still do not have enough to eat. Food and food-related assistance lie at the heart of the struggle to break the cycle of hunger and poverty.

For its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict, WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. In 2020, WFP assisted 115.5 million people – the largest number since 2012 – in 84 countries.

On any given day, WFP has 5,600 trucks, 30 ships and nearly 100 planes on the move, delivering food and other assistance to those in most need. These numbers lie at the roots of WFP’s unparalleled reputation as an emergency responder, one that gets the job done quickly at scale in the most difficult environments. WFP’s efforts focus on emergency assistance, relief and rehabilitation, development aid and special operations. Two-thirds of our work is in conflict-affected countries where people are three times more likely to be undernourished than those living in countries without conflict.

Türkiye, situated in a region prone to various natural and man-made disasters, faces various challenges in mitigating the impacts of such events. Recent devastating earthquakes have underscored the urgent need for enhanced disaster management systems and preparedness measures.

Through its extensive experience, resources, and global network, the World Food Programme (WFP) stands ready to support Türkiye's endeavors on strengthening its emergency preparedness and response led by the Government of Türkiye. With a focus on supporting Türkiye's existing robust national systems and initiatives, WFP would like to contribute to the Government`s efforts (especially collaborating with the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), operating under the Ministry of Interior, that is responsible for coordinating disaster and emergency services in Türkiye including working to mitigate disasters, minimizing associated damages, coordinating post-disaster responses, formulating training policies for disasters and emergencies, enacting relevant legislation, and promoting cooperation among various government agencies) to enhance the local capacity for disaster preparedness and response.

The state system of the Republic of Türkiye is well-established and structured, has a well-developed infrastructure supported by a vibrant private sector within a functioning market economy.
This has manifested in efficient emergency response times as well.

WFP's past collaboration with Türkiye during emergencies, such as the 2023 devastating earthquakes, demonstrates its commitment to supporting government efforts and strengthening resilience at the community level. By leveraging its resources, partnerships, and expertise, WFP aims to enhance Türkiye's readiness to respond to future emergency circumstances and minimize the impact on vulnerable populations. Furthermore, WFP provides mapping (LogIE) and simulation web tools available for use by the humanitarian community, which will be discussed in the final section. Lastly, WFP maintains strong partnerships with private sectors, partners, and NGOs to coordinate support mechanisms and receive services during emergencies.

Through collaboration, we can ensure that systems are better equipped to protect lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure during times of crisis.

This UNV assignment will be hosted by WFP Türkiye Country Office for mainly in the following proposed areas: (i) Strengthening Logistics and Supply Chain Management, (ii) Capacity Enhancement, (iii) Inter-Agency and Cluster Coordination (including Emergency Preparedness and Response (ERP) Working Group) to strengthen emergency preparedness efforts and bolster resilience in response to evolving disaster risks.

There is possibility of at least 4-month extension of this UNV assignment directly depending on high quality deliveries, satisfactory performance, continuation of mandate, availability of funding, and operational necessity although there is no guarantee of assignment extension.

Under the delegated authority and supervision of WFP Representative/Country Director, the national UN Volunteer will perform the following tasks:

• Strengthen Logistics and Supply Chain and Management:
- Leverage WFP’s expertise and tools in (particular the Logistics Cluster Information Exchange (LogIE) platform, to enhance logistical infrastructure and coordination
- Develop strategy to enhance logistical infrastructure and coordination
- Lead the actions and researches to build the system on logistics and supply chain
- Guide the beneficiary groups and clusters to facilitate rapid response and coordination
- Collaborate with the private sector, NGOs, and academia to establish supply chain network
- Contribute WFP’s public-private partnerships efforts on resilient supply chain management

• Enhancement of capacities on humanitarian planning and preparedness:
- Provide technical assistance on emergency preparedness and response
- Deliver training programs including leading the development of agenda and materials
- Innovate tools and learning materials to support strengthening efforts on emergency and humanitarian planning
- Collect the exchange information and views on common operational issues
- Strategic guidance and strengthening localization efforts

• Coordination of Inter-Agency and Clusters:
- Coordinate the quarterly EPR Working Group (WG) collaboration, agenda, minuets of meetings, dialogues, briefing notes and other related materials, support documents
- Support the RC and WFP to work with partners to ensure fit for purpose and effective international support to national emergency preparedness and response including responsibilities as EPR WG coordination role
- Coordinate Inter-agency efforts and UNCT +
- Leverage WFP's leadership roles in key emergency clusters, such as the Emergency
- Telecommunications Cluster and Logistics Cluster
- Support WFP’s resource mobilization activities and efforts
- Facilitate the coordination mechanisms among government agencies and respective partners to better understand the existing national system and agree avenues to support national support disaster risk reduction, and humanitarian preparedness and response.
- Facilitate the coordination mechanisms among stakeholders (NGOs, academia, and others) to ensure effective collaboration during emergencies.
- Coordinating emergency preparedness activities of member organisations and act as liaison for Turkiye EPR WP as well as the IASC Regional EPR Group in the MENA Region
- Ensure the Turkiye’s participation in global humanitarian mechanisms, including UN Humarnitarian Air Services (UNHAS) and UN Humanitarian Response Deport (UNHRD)

• Communication and advocacy:
- Lead building upon existing UN and NGO efforts, the EPR WG amplifies and where necessary helps to harmonize humanitarian messaging on principled humanitarian preparedness, resource mobilization, and early warning for emerging crises
- Coordinate the country level interagency and cluster knowledge and communication flow
- Liaise with AFAD whose mandate is to encompass disaster mitigation, response coordination, training, and legislative initiatives

• Monitoring and reporting.

• Performs other duties as required.




Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
- Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day, 5th of December).
- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
- Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities (for instance at https://vra.unv.org),
- Contribute articles/wrjte-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
- Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
- Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.