Emergency Coordinator
Organizational Context
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the transformation to efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems to improve production, nutrition, the environment, and livelihoods. The Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER) provides technical, operational, and administrative support to FAO country offices in fragile contexts. OER empowers rural populations to anticipate agricultural threats, respond to food crises, reduce risks, and build lasting resilience. It develops and maintains corporate tools and standards to assist Members in preparing for and responding to food crises, strengthening national and subnational capacities.
Job Purpose
This role supports the implementation of FAO's emergency response, aligning with priorities in coordination, assessment, and time-critical interventions. The incumbent will be responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating assigned programmes and projects. This includes providing leadership in emergency and rehabilitation efforts as part of the country's resilience work, encompassing preparedness, needs assessment, response, programming, implementation, and resource mobilization. The position requires close liaison and collaboration with the food security cluster/sector and relevant FAO personnel to ensure effective emergency operations and strategic alignment.
Responsibilities
Provide leadership in emergency and rehabilitation efforts, including preparedness, needs assessment, response, programming, implementation, and resource mobilization, in collaboration with the food security cluster/sector and FAO personnel. Lead and coordinate the Emergency Response Team, setting objectives, monitoring progress, and ensuring timely corrective actions. Promote FAO's resilience focus, particularly in emergency and rehabilitation, engaging with government, UN agencies, NGOs, and donors. Review relevant documents, identify issues, propose solutions, and track follow-up actions. Assist in policy development, including analysis of trends and impact evaluations. Prepare various written outputs such as background papers, reports, and publications. Conduct outreach activities, training workshops, and presentations. Coordinate budget and funding activities, including project preparation, progress reports, and financial statements. Ensure FAO's active participation in humanitarian coordination mechanisms, engaging with local authorities, UN agencies, donors, and partners. Develop emergency response strategies and lead programming from needs assessments to implementation, including appeals and project proposals. Ensure participation in joint needs assessments and sector-specific assessments, addressing vulnerable groups' needs and accountability to affected populations. Develop and oversee the implementation of emergency operations plans. Assist in setting up emergency assessment and response teams and provide surge capacity. Coordinate FAO's contributions to inter-agency Humanitarian Response Plans and Flash Appeals, and prepare project documents for donor funding. Coordinate project and budget formulation for Emergency Response projects and monitor financial execution. Ensure technical assistance is available to the Emergency Response Team and partners. Support sectorial coordination through the Food Security Cluster. Develop an advocacy and outreach plan, including key messages and communication materials. Establish and maintain donor contacts, providing updated information on FAO activities. Coordinate FAO's contribution to Post Disaster Needs Assessments and Post Conflict Needs Assessments. Ensure the safety and well-being of FAO personnel. Manage the demobilization of the Emergency Response Team and transition to country-led programming.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in public and/or private sectors is required. This experience should encompass programming, planning, and technical cooperation in the field of food and agriculture. Experience working in developing countries, especially those prone to disaster or emergency risks, is essential. Experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
Skills
Core competencies include Results Focus, Teamwork, Communication, Building Effective Relationships, and Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement. Functional skills include extensive international experience in policy formulation, programming, and managing field operations. Demonstrated experience in identifying and preparing programme strategies and policy positions for humanitarian and transition contexts at global and country levels. Strong knowledge of the international humanitarian architecture, including agencies, NGOs, and partners. Proven experience in needs assessments, cluster coordination, UN consolidated appeal processes, and emergency operations for Level 3 emergencies. Demonstrated experience in rehabilitation and humanitarian policy development, programme formulation, and implementation. Experience in response management and surge support coordination. Limited knowledge (level B) of a second FAO language is an asset.