Consultant Information Technology

World Food Programme; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 293,000 - 368,000; Full time

Job summary

A major international humanitarian organization in Dubai seeks a Senior IT Emergency Coordinator. The role involves leading technology projects in crisis situations, coordinating emergency telecommunications, and managing field operations with humanitarian partners. Candidates should have a strong background in technology and business management, with at least 8 years of relevant experience. A strong focus on communication and collaboration is essential for success in this position. The selected individual will engage in a diverse, multi-cultural environment dedicated to humanitarian efforts.

Benefits

Attractive compensation package

Professional development programs

Inclusive multicultural work environment

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in relevant field or extensive relevant practical field-work experience.
• Ability to operate in hard living conditions during emergencies.
• Fluency in English and intermediate knowledge in a second UN language (e.g., Arabic).

Responsibilities

• Lead Emergency Response Technology Projects.
• Negotiate budgets with emergency operations management.
• Coordinate technology preparedness through contingency planning.
• Manage projects focusing on Emergency Telecommunications Cluster.

Skills

Project design and planning

Emergency response readiness

Written and oral communication

Team collaboration

Cognitive capacity

Behavioural flexibility

Education

University degree in Technology or Business Management

Job description

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

29 April 2025 23:59 GMT 04:00 Gulf Standard Time (Dubai)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, color, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

At WFP people are at the heart of everything we do, and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled and high‑performing teams selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves. To learn more about WFP visit our website: follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship and other programmes as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE

Senior IT Emergency Coordinator

TYPE OF CONTRACT

WAE International Consultant (Level 2)

UNIT/DIVISION

IT Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch TECF

DUTY STATION (City, Country)

Admin Dubai UAE (Remote)

DURATION

Until 31.12.2025

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) IT Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch (TECF) is responsible for preparing, coordinating and managing WFP’s Information Technology response to emergencies, including global and often local leadership of the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC), rapid deployment of FITTEST and support Digital Assistance operations. The Fast IT Telecommunications and Coordination Support Services Team (FITTEST) is the IT emergency response capacity of WFP. FITTEST has the overall mandate to rapidly assess, build, enhance and restore communications services during emergency and steady‑state operations often within 48 hours of the onset of an emergency. The IT Emergency Coordinator (IT EC) is to support a coordinated response to crises by effectively collaborating with other stakeholders and cluster members to ensure that urgent communication needs of humanitarian responders are met while at the same time facilitating recovery. The IT EC will serve as an active member of the ICT Working Group and will be responsible for supporting the delivery of technology services by consulting and supporting decision‑making of the Humanitarian Coordinator and Humanitarian Country Team project initiatives. The IT EC will contribute to planning and development objectives that directly affect the realization of the response’s strategic priorities, including Digital Assistance activities and Services to Affected Communities (S4C), setting priorities and contributing to the HC’s humanitarian funding proposals. The IT EC will monitor, evaluate and report on performance activities and needs against the humanitarian (e.g. cluster) plans and agreed results, recommending corrective actions where necessary. The implementation of this TOR will take place through long‑term field missions often in hardship duty stations.

ACCOUNTABILITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead Emergency Response Technology Projects in field operations in support of the full humanitarian community and in collaboration with humanitarian partners.
• Manage field projects with a specific focus on Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) Security Telecommunication Services (TESS) and Service Agreements on behalf of FITTEST and the Technology Division.
• Represent the Technology Division towards Country Management in the operation, escalating issues when required.
• Lead the identification, assessment and prioritization of key technology needs required to deliver assistance to the affected communities.
• Write Concept of Operations (CONOPS), full staffing plans and budgets, draw up implementation plans and adjust them as per needs and closure reports.
• Negotiate budgets with emergency operations management.
• Provide leadership to IT EPR including ETC by organizing and chairing IT and ETC meetings to coordinate the identification of communication needs and solutions.
• Represent WFP and ETC at all relevant events (e.g. Inter‑Cluster and other related coordination meetings) and advocate for funding with donors in the operation when required.
• Ensure adequate emergency technology preparedness through WFP and the Inter‑Agency contingency planning process.
• Coordinate preparation, ensure proper dissemination of information and full participation of cluster participants to Flash Appeals SRPs and other funding proposals for common funds and donor funding mechanisms.
• Identify and mobilise resources (human, financial and assets) for services to be provided.
• Lead or support the creation of local capacity to ensure operational sustainability.
• Liaise and coordinate with governments on any telecommunication related issues on behalf of the humanitarian community.
• Support Digital Assistance interventions.
• Supervise national personnel, TDY Standby Partners FITTEST and Partners as required.
• Perform any other related duty as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT

• implemented, handed over or closed in the field
• field missions documented, evaluated and feedback is solicited from partners, clients or field management
• for continuous improvement or enhancement of TECF’s Emergency Preparedness and Response capacity and capability shared
• the TEC team when delivering services in complex scenarios, including existing and emerging TEC services
• the TEC team in the delivery of technology services in politically challenging situations

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education & Experience
University degree in Technology, Business Management, or a relevant field and a minimum of 8 years of experience in the relevant field or relevant post‑secondary education with extensive relevant practical field‑work experience.

Technical Knowledge & Skills
Skills may include but are not limited to the following:

• Ability to design, plan and execute projects in the field and specifically in emergency situations.
• Ability and willingness to operate in hard, at times extreme living conditions to respond and travel to emergencies within 24 hours to operate in distributed / decentralised teams and to engage with and support partners.
• Ability to work independently through appropriate personal initiative and regular follow‑ups.
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills with the ability to influence and adapt communication styles to different situations and individuals.
• Collaborative hands‑on team member and relationship builder with a facilitative nature and strong business‑partnering skills towards colleagues and stakeholders.
• Highly developed Cognitive Capacity.
• Behavioural Flexibility.

Languages
Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish and/or WFP’s working language Portuguese is desirable.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides the common standards of behavior that guide how we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation please contact: [contact information].

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee please disregard it. Furthermore please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
• Once your profile is completed please apply and submit your application.
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language.
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter.
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time.
• Please contact us at [email] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organisational needs, job requirements, merit and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority. Therefore all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

Required Experience:

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