Risk Management and Reduction Coordinator

Overview
Manage the planning and implementation of disaster risk reduction interventions.

You have:

Bachelor’s degree in risk management, disaster risk reduction, political science, or international relations.
Master’s degree in risk management or related fields preferred.
Seven (7) years of progressive experience in project management with a focus on DRR, including operational planning, financial management, and administrative management.
At least four (4) years of proven professional experience in disaster risk reduction projects, including design, implementation, and monitoring.
Minimum of two (2) years of establishing and strengthening institutional partnerships, including connections with public and private actors.
Fluency in Spanish (spoken and written) or Spanish as a native language.
Valid driving license type B (light vehicles).

Details
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

24 September 2025-23:59-GMT-04:00 Atlantic Standard Time (Santo Domingo) 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, colour, 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 Program 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.

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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 programs 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).
The World Food Programme is seeking a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) expert with proven experience managing complex projects. Based in the WFP Ecuador office (Quito) and reporting to the Strategic Objective 1 (SO1) Activity Manager, the DRR Coordinator will be responsible for the programmatic and financial planning and implementation of disaster risk reduction interventions, as well as supervising the team of program assistants in WFP’s prioritized provinces: Pichincha and Azuay (Sierra region), and Manabí, Guayas, and Santa Elena (Coastal region).

The role includes the strategic and operational planning of activities, as well as the financial management of allocated resources, ensuring that administrative processes are executed in accordance with WFP standards and procedures and within established timelines. In addition to leading the implementation of local and national programs, the Coordinator will work closely with internal and external monitoring and evaluation experts to oversee the generation of evidence to support the strengthening or formulation of public policies on risk management, with particular attention to anticipatory action models.

The DRR Coordinator will also support the national office in mobilizing financial resources to develop or expand DRR programs and contribute to the design of internal guidelines and strategies that strengthen the link between risk management and humanitarian response. Finally, they will be responsible for maintaining and building strong and sustainable relationships with government counterparts, technical partners, community organizations, and other key stakeholders, promoting inter-institutional coordination and alignment with national priorities. JOB TITLE: Risk Management and Reduction Coordinator

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Service Contract- 7

UNIT/DIVISION: Program/S01

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Quito, Ecuador

DURATION: 6 months with the possibility of extension

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. WFP’s mission is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger within our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works around the world to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, especially women and children, have access to the nutritious food they need. In emergencies, WFP delivers food to where it’s needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict, and natural disasters. After an emergency, WFP uses the food to help communities rebuild their lives. On average, WFP provides food assistance to more than 80 million people in 80 countries each year. The organization has the global footprint, deep field presence, and local knowledge and relationships needed to provide access to food and contribute to lasting solutions, especially in many of the world’s most remote and fragile areas.

The World Food Programme (WFP) Country Strategic Plan in Ecuador seeks synergy with the Government of Ecuador’s actions and knowledge transfer focused on four strategic objectives: SO1: Emergency Preparedness and Response; SO2: Root Causes; S03: Climate Change and Food Systems; and S04: Service Provision and Humanitarian Logistics.

Within the framework of Strategic Objective 1 (SO1), the World Food Programme focuses its efforts on improving the preparedness of communities, local governments, and the national government for crisis situations, while ensuring the food security and nutrition of vulnerable people affected by emergencies. These actions are carried out through collaborative work with institutional and community actors, focusing on strengthening their preparedness capacities through early warning systems, risk analysis, development of contingency plans, simulations, and technical training.

The World Food Programme is seeking a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) expert with proven experience managing complex projects. Based in the WFP Ecuador office (Quito) and reporting to the Strategic Objective 1 (SO1) Activity Manager, the DRR Coordinator will be responsible for the programmatic and financial planning and implementation of disaster risk reduction interventions, as well as supervising the team of program assistants in WFP’s prioritized provinces: Pichincha and Azuay (Sierra region), and Manabí, Guayas, and Santa Elena (Coastal region).

The role includes the strategic and operational planning of activities, as well as the financial management of allocated resources, ensuring that administrative processes are executed in accordance with WFP standards and procedures and within established timelines. In addition to leading the implementation of local and national programs, the Coordinator will work closely with internal and external monitoring and evaluation experts to oversee the generation of evidence to support the strengthening or formulation of public policies on risk management, with particular attention to anticipatory action models.

The DRR Coordinator will also support the national office in mobilizing financial resources to develop or expand DRR programs and contribute to the design of internal guidelines and strategies that strengthen the link between risk management and humanitarian response. Finally, they will be responsible for maintaining and building strong and sustainable relationships with government counterparts, technical partners, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders, promoting inter-institutional coordination and alignment with national priorities.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide specialized technical expertise in risk management and actively contribute to the operational and strategic planning of activities, projects, and processes, ensuring their alignment with WFP institutional policies and national DRR frameworks.

Efficiently coordinate the implementation of DRR programs, providing technical and programmatic support and ensuring that activities are executed according to established objectives, respecting WFP’s administrative, financial, and operational procedures.

Lead the financial planning of interventions, including the definition and review of Terms of Reference (TORs), payment tracking, management of ongoing contracts with implementing partners and consultancies, and verification of compliance with administrative processes in accordance with WFP standards and established timelines.

Oversee the preparation of technical and financial reports, as well as the analysis of relevant data (e.g., on assistance needs, resource use, programmatic progress), formulating strategic recommendations that contribute to evidence-based decision-making.

Manage the recording and systematization of technical and programmatic information, ensuring the quality, consistency, and timeliness of the data presented to various internal and external stakeholders.

Maintain smooth coordination with internal counterparts and WFP technical teams, facilitating the execution, monitoring, and adjustment of ongoing activities, and promoting the cross-functional integration of risk management into SO1 operations.

Build, strengthen, and maintain strong institutional relationships with Decentralized Autonomous Governments (GADs), national authorities, technical partners, NGOs, and other key stakeholders, promoting inter-institutional coordination and alignment with local and national DRR priorities.

Support capacity-building activities for WFP staff, implementing partners, and government counterparts through training, technical support, and the development of operational tools.

Proactively manage the team of program assistants, providing technical guidance, operational oversight, and professional development support, ensuring the achievement of individual and collective objectives in accordance with institutional standards.

Implement standard emergency preparedness practices, ensuring that WFP is able to respond quickly and effectively to crises through advance planning, resource availability, and the activation of coordination mechanisms.

Perform other tasks required within the framework of the technical, operational, or administrative management of WFP programs, as requested by WFP oversight or the country office.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

1. Ensure the development and validation of an operational and financial plan for DRR programs, including timelines, budgets, responsible parties, and monitoring mechanisms, aligned with WFP policies and national frameworks.

2. Ensure that all key administrative processes—such as defining and reviewing Terms of Reference (TORs), tracking payments, and managing contracts with partners and consultancies—are executed in accordance with WFP standards and within established timelines.

3. Oversee and ensure the production of quality technical and financial reports, including relevant data analysis and strategic recommendations for evidence-based decision-making.

4. Maintain and strengthen institutional relationships with GADs, national authorities, and technical partners, ensuring effective coordination, participation in inter-institutional forums, and alignment with local and national DRR priorities.

5. Ensure effective management of the program assistant team through technical guidance, operational oversight, performance monitoring, and capacity building, ensuring compliance with program objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED :

Education:

Postgraduate degree in risk management, disaster risk reduction, political science, and/or international relations.

Master’s degree in risk management and/or related fields is desirable.

Complementary studies or specialized courses in project management, operational planning, public financial management, or humanitarian program administration, preferably with a focus on risk reduction and emergency preparedness.

Experience:

Seven (7) years of progressive experience in project management with emphasis on DRR, operational, financial and administrative planning, including management of budgets, schedules, contracting processes and execution monitoring.

Proven professional experience of at least four (4) years in projects related to disaster risk reduction, including design, implementation, and monitoring of activities. Specific experience in anticipatory action approaches will be a positive value.

Minimum experience of two (2) years in establishing and strengthening institutional alliances, including links with public and private actors and research centers at local, national and international levels, aimed at technical and programmatic coordination in risk management.

Knowledge & Skills:

In-depth knowledge of national and international regulatory frameworks in risk management and disaster reduction, including anticipatory action approaches.

Mastery of operational and financial planning tools, including budgeting, schedules, TDR, and administrative monitoring in accordance with institutional standards.

Knowledge of institutional alliance management, especially with GADs, national authorities, technical partners, and research centers.

Handling methodologies for analyzing programmatic and financial data, generating evidence, and preparing technical reports.

Have a valid type B driver’s license (private light vehicles).

Languages:

Fluency in Spanish (oral and written) or Spanish as a native language

Level

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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: [email protected]

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fees in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a request 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 protected] 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 organizational 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.