Host entity: UNOCHA

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Emergency preparedness, crisis response, Safety and security

Application deadline: 06/09/2026

Mission and objectives

The Pacific is one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world. Small, vulnerable island states are isolated by vast expanses of ocean. They experience frequent and intense disasters with disproportionately high economic, social and environmental consequences.

In 1999, OCHA established an office for the Pacific (OP) to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors.
Emergency Preparedness & Response

The first responders in any emergency are disaster-affected people and their governments. OCHA’s key objective is to support national efforts to protect the lives, livelihoods and dignity of people in need. International assistance can only be mobilized when a request is made by the affected government.

OCHA maintains a surge support capacity that allows the international humanitarian system to establish quick links with affected countries. It does this through the response capacity of its staff in the Pacific, the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) system, OCHA global staff, standby partners, and through the coordination of Pacific Humanitarian Team clusters and member organizations. This flexible approach allows OCHA to find different and appropriate solutions for assistance requests across the Pacific.

OCHA OP personnel can provide support in information management, reporting, mapping, media and communications, assessments, humanitarian financing and inter-cluster coordination. OCHA can deploy UNDAC teams at short notice to assist in the coordination of incoming international relief at the earliest stages of an emergency.

Assignment context

OCHA Office of the Pacific Islands:

Provides a timely, needs-based and principled humanitarian response to people affected by disaster (emergency response);

Co-leads, coordinates and serves as the secretariat of the Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) and ensures this regional humanitarian response mechanism is fit-for-purpose;

Ensures that humanitarian partners, including government entities, are well prepared for a coordinated disaster response (operational readiness);

Supports regionally-led initiatives on climate change and human security from a humanitarian perspective, applying a sustainable partnership approach to the PHT engagement in the region (e.g. Pacific Community – SPC; Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat – PIFS; Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance – PIEMA; Pacific Islands Development Forum – PIDF; Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific – FRDP];

Strengthens catalytic humanitarian financing, by facilitating a systematic shift to coherent and embedded anticipatory approaches, including anticipatory action. Administers the Pacific window of the Asia and the Pacific Humanitarian Pooled Fund;

Supports disaster preparedness and response capacity enhancement across the Pacific through the promotion of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) and International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) methodologies, including support to National Emergency Response Teams (NERTs) and the strengthening of national response mechanisms.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Support the promotion and application of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) methodology across the Pacific region.

Support the promotion of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) methodology, including activities related to strengthening urban search and rescue capacities and teams.

Assist national authorities and partners in strengthening National Emergency Response Teams (NERTs) and national response mechanisms based on UNDAC principles and good practices.

Support preparedness, capacity enhancement, training, exercises and workshops related to disaster response coordination, UNDAC and INSARAG methodologies.

Monitor, analyze and report on humanitarian situations, disaster preparedness activities and emergency response operations in the region.

Establish and maintain contacts with UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, regional organizations and government counterparts to facilitate coordination and information sharing.

Support collaboration and exchange of information within the UN system and with external humanitarian partners.

Assist in organizing and participating in meetings, consultations, trainings, simulation exercises and conferences with governments and humanitarian partners.

Contribute to the development of situation reports, briefing notes, information products, presentations and other knowledge and reporting materials.

Assist in the preparation of reports, studies, background papers, policy guidance and other documentation related to humanitarian coordination, preparedness and emergency response.

Support engagement with partners and donors, including preparation of briefing materials and background information.

Support humanitarian response operations during emergencies, including coordination, information management, reporting and liaison functions.

Participate in emergency response deployments, including support to UNDAC missions, national response mechanisms, National Emergency Response Teams (NERTs), and other disaster response coordination structures, as required.

Travel throughout the area of responsibility, including deployment during emergencies, as required.

Perform other duties as required.


Work implies frequent interaction with:

Colleagues across the humanitarian community, including UN agencies, international and national NGOs, regional organizations, emergency management authorities and donors.

Government counterparts, National Emergency Response Teams (NERTs), search and rescue organizations, training institutions, academia and other civil society partners.

Skills and experience

Experience description:

Demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to two years) in humanitarian affairs, disaster management, emergency preparedness, civil protection, urban search and rescue (USAR), development affairs or a related field is desirable.

Familiarity with the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) and International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) methodologies is desirable.

Experience supporting disaster preparedness, emergency response, search and rescue operations, training activities, simulation exercises or capacity strengthening initiatives is an advantage.

Experience working with government institutions, emergency management authorities, National Emergency Response Teams (NERTs), civil protection agencies, search and rescue organizations or humanitarian partners is desirable.

Knowledge of the United Nations system and humanitarian architecture is an advantage.

Previous experience with the UN, humanitarian organizations, disaster management agencies, emergency response mechanisms or search and rescue organizations is an advantage.

Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Candidates with 0–3 years of relevant experience may be considered.


Skills in:

Strong drafting, communication, coordination and organizational skills are desirable.

Competencies and values

Adaptability and Flexibility

Building Trust

Client Orientation

Communication

Planning and Organizing

Respect for Diversity

Working in Teams

Living conditions

The UN Volunteer will be based in the OCHA Office for the Pacific Islands, located at Level 2, Kaunikula House, Flagstaff, Suva, Fiji.

Suva is the capital of Fiji and serves as a regional hub for humanitarian and development organizations in the Pacific. The duty station offers access to a wide range of services, accommodation, healthcare facilities and recreational activities. The assignment provides a unique opportunity to work in a diverse multicultural environment and to engage with humanitarian partners across the Pacific region.

The volunteer may be required to travel throughout the Pacific in support of preparedness activities, training events, exercises and emergency response operations. During emergencies, deployment to affected countries may be required, subject to operational needs and security considerations.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.