Humanitarian Response and Preparedness Assistant

Organizational Context

UNFPA's Regional Office in Panama City supports 30 country offices across Latin America and the Caribbean. The Humanitarian Unit focuses on disaster preparedness, emergency response, risk analysis, and recovery efforts in a region prone to recurrent disasters and complex humanitarian situations. This role offers a young professional practical experience in humanitarian programming, preparedness systems, knowledge management, and regional coordination, with exposure to mixed migration and displacement issues.

Job Purpose

The UN Volunteer Associate will support UNFPA's Humanitarian Unit in Panama, contributing to analytical, operational, and coordination functions. This role provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in humanitarian programming, preparedness systems, knowledge management, and regional coordination processes within a multidisciplinary team. The assignment involves collaboration with country offices, humanitarian partners, and regional inter-agency mechanisms, offering exposure to humanitarian needs intersecting with mixed migration and displacement in the region.

Responsibilities

The UN Volunteer Associate will support the Humanitarian Unit by compiling and organizing information on regional preparedness, emergency response, and humanitarian trends. Responsibilities include maintaining and updating preparedness and response tools, conducting research and data analysis for planning and situation updates, and assisting in drafting reports and presentations. The role involves supporting the organization of meetings, webinars, and training sessions, participating in preparedness initiatives, and contributing to knowledge management by organizing relevant materials. Additionally, the volunteer will monitor regional developments related to humanitarian crises and displacement, assist in administrative preparations for events, and collaborate on cross-unit initiatives, particularly where humanitarian response intersects with sexual and reproductive health and resilience programming.

Work Experience

No prior experience is required, though a demonstrated interest and/or up to two years of experience in humanitarian action, disaster preparedness, migration, development cooperation, research, data analysis, coordination support, or knowledge management is beneficial. Previous volunteer experience or experience in a different cultural setting is highly regarded.

Skills

Key competencies include adaptability, flexibility, client orientation, commitment, motivation, continuous learning, communication, integrity, planning, organization, technological awareness, and teamwork. Specific skills in drafting, analysis, information management, organization, coordination support, and communication are essential. Expertise areas include communication, community development, and crisis/emergency response.

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