Programme Associate (epr)

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme is the largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and fostering peace. In the Philippines, WFP's Country Strategic Plan (2024-2028) guides efforts to strengthen government systems at national, local, and BARMM levels. This aims to build community resilience against shocks and stressors, aligning with national strategies and the UN Sustainable Development Framework, particularly in a disaster-prone nation.

Job Purpose

The Programme Associate (Emergency Preparedness and Response - EPR) plays a crucial role in supporting the World Food Programme's efforts to strengthen the Government of the Philippines' emergency preparedness and response capacities. This position is instrumental in operationalizing key disaster management legislation and enhancing the resilience of vulnerable communities. The incumbent will primarily focus on supporting the design and delivery of targeted initiatives aimed at bolstering the disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) capabilities of provincial governments and municipalities. This encompasses a broad spectrum of activities, including preparedness, anticipatory action, and response mechanisms within social protection, food systems, humanitarian supply chain, and telecommunications. The role involves providing technical guidance, facilitating capacity strengthening initiatives with local government units, and ensuring the timely and effective implementation of WFP programmes in the assigned area. By fostering strong partnerships with local stakeholders and contributing to robust reporting, the Programme Associate ensures that WFP's interventions effectively build local resilience and improve emergency response readiness in disaster-prone regions.

Responsibilities

The role encompasses providing comprehensive technical support for the design, implementation, and monitoring of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) activities, ensuring strict adherence to WFP policies and guidelines. A core responsibility involves collaborating with Local Government Units (LGUs) to co-design and co-implement capacity-strengthening initiatives focused on preparedness, anticipatory action, social protection, humanitarian supply chain, and emergency telecommunications readiness. The incumbent will also deliver specialized project management support to WFP programmes, ensuring timely delivery against established targets and full compliance with WFP rules and accountability requirements. This includes preparing and contributing to detailed reports and data products, monitoring resource utilization, programme status, and performance, and identifying trends, gaps, and risks to meet corporate reporting standards. Effective collaboration across WFP’s specialized teams and coordination of on-site activities are essential. Furthermore, the role demands strong coordination and communication with external partners such as LGUs, regional line agencies, NGOs, and communities. Significant support for emergency response operations is also required, involving participation in rapid needs assessments, coordination with LGUs, assisting the Country Office with geographic targeting and beneficiary selection, identifying and liaising with potential cooperating partners, and providing oversight for beneficiary registration and assistance distribution.

Work Experience

Candidates need at least six years of professional experience in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), specifically in implementing capacity-strengthening initiatives for Local Government Units (LGUs), local organizations, and communities. Essential competencies include stakeholder engagement and localization. A broad understanding of anticipatory action principles and approaches is also required.

Skills

Skills include Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) program design, implementation, and monitoring, with expertise in capacity strengthening, preparedness, anticipatory action, and emergency telecommunications. Strong project management, including timely delivery and compliance. Experience in emergency response operations, needs assessments, and beneficiary management. Proficient in stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and communication with government and partners. Analytical skills for identifying trends and risks. Operational readiness, adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving. Fluent in English, ideally proficient in local languages.

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