Emergency Response Specialist

Position: Emergency Response Specialist

Relations: At HQ – Managed by the Head of Operations; Strong collaboration with Departments and Specialists. On assignment – Managed by the Country Representative, the Head of Regional Unit or other appropriate designee, based on the deployment; Strong collaboration with the Head of Departments/Services; Management of staff as assigned

Location: Tunis, Tunisia (or any WeWorld mission within +/- 4 hours Italy) with around 50% field deployment, based on needs

Reporting Relationship: Head of Operations

Application deadline: 11/04/2025

Starting date: asap

Job description

The Emergency Response Specialist is part of the International Programmes Department (IPD) and reports to the Head of Operations, working closely with Regional Heads and Technical Departments. The role focuses on strengthening and implementing WeWorld’s humanitarian response through preparedness, coordination, and direct deployment in emergency settings.

This position requires a highly flexible and experienced humanitarian professional capable of deploying on short notice to lead or support emergency responses, provide technical expertise, and contribute to capacity building and strategic development.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Emergency Response Deployment

The Emergency Response Specialist deploys to crises worldwide to lead or support emergency response efforts of staff in WeWorld countries depending on need. The person will assume a variety of roles such as Program Manager, Area Manager, or Country Director, as needed depending on the crisis nature or country office structure. S/he is responsible to support current WeWorld’s emergency responses and/or to set up new responses, based on needs.

Key areas of intervention:

• Assessments & Strategy: lead or support to rapid needs assessments and support the development and the revision of Country emergency strategy components
• Program Oversight: ensure the effective design, implementation, and monitoring of emergency projects, in alignment with humanitarian principles, quality standards, and accountability frameworks and in collaboration with technical and country staff
• **Team Leadership:**supervise emergency teams, during emergency response and act as technical manager to help them to set clear expectations, and provide guidance
• Coordination & Representation: coordinate the engagement with UN agencies, key emergency donors, peer NGOs, and government authorities to represent WeWorld during emergencies
• Resource Mobilization: support fundraising efforts by contributing to proposal development, donor engagement, and external communications
• **Security & Risk Management:**ensure staff safety, monitor risks, and implement security protocols during emergency deployments

Emergency Institutional strengthening and Capacity building

S/he contributes to strengthening the organization’s emergency tools and capacities and fostering humanitarian culture, capacity and global recognition as humanitarian actor.

Responsibilities may include (not exhaustive):

• Contribute to the development of emergency response tools and Standard operational procedures
• Support country teams in developing emergency preparedness and response plans/contingency plans in cooperation with HQ and field teams, in line with WeWorld capacity to respond to emergency crisis
• Support in context analyses and feasibility assessments for WeWorld’s potential expansion into new crisis settings
• Prepare training material and deliver specific online and in person trainings and technical support on emergency response practice and procedures, to WeWorld staff and partners

Surge capacity

• Providing surge capacity to support humanitarian interventions of the organisation based on gaps and requests
• Providing short-term technical or managerial support to ensure the uninterrupted implementation of emergency programs
• Deploying on short notice to stabilize operations in crises or newly opened country missions
• Supporting team transitions and handovers, ensuring knowledge transfer and continuity in program delivery

ESSENTIAL REQUIRMENTS

Qualifications and Knowledge

• A relevant advanced university degree or equivalent
• Strong knowledge of humanitarian standards (SPHERE, Core Humanitarian Standard, IASC, etc.)
• Familiarity with security risk management in complex and volatile environments
• Good knowledge of MS Office
• Fluent in English and French, both written and verbal

Professional experience

• Minimum 7 years’ relevant working experience in related fields
• Working experience with international NGOs in leading and managing international emergency programs funded by institutional and private donors
• Extended experience of working with small teams in critical and crisis environments
• Proven experience in emergency responses and capacity building in emergencies

Skills and Abilities

• Strong flexibility and capacity to adapt behavior to the needs of the situation
• Capacity to work autonomously and in problems prevention and resolution
• Able to work under stress and in crisis environments
• Proven organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple tasks while fostering quality, team spirit and positive working relationships with colleagues
• Good communication, negotiation skills and sensitivity in dealing with personnel from different countries
• Cultural, gender, religion, and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Strong commitment to the Mission of WeWorld, genuine interest in international cooperation development topics

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Fluent in Italian
• Previous work experience in similar positions

WHAT WE OFFER

Type of contract: a first 6 (six) months collaboration contract subject to evaluation, with possibility of renewal, according to positive appraisal

Economic conditions: to be defined according to the candidate’s profile and WeWorld Compensation Policy

Other conditions: Travels, accommodation and health insurance covered during field missions