ETC Preparedness and Response Officer - North Pacific

Host entity: WFP FSM

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Emergency preparedness, crisis response, Information technology and telecommunications, Project management, programme development, strategy

Application deadline: 20/08/2026

Mission and objectives

The Pacific Island Countries and Territories are among the most disaster-prone in the world, facing frequent and compounding hazards including tropical cyclones, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and coastal flooding.

These recurrent shocks intensify underlying structural vulnerabilities. Supply chain and logistical constraints impede emergency response, service delivery and access to markets, while under-resourced telecommunications systems limit the reach and coordination of disaster efforts.

At the same time, fragile, import-dependent food systems contribute to a growing triple burden of malnutrition (undernutrition, overnutrition or obesity, and micronutrient deficiency) and non-communicable diseases. Together, these interlinked challenges not only deepen the region’s exposure to crisis but also erode its capacity to recover. Strengthening local systems, particularly in supporting governments in managing and mitigating disasters, is therefore central to advancing resilience and reducing disaster risks across the Pacific.

The World Food Programme provides government partners with technical assistance, coordination and training in supply chain and logistics, emergency telecommunications, and food security and nutrition. We enhance access to disaster risk financing and inclusive shock-responsive social protection systems that focus on those most at risk of being left behind.

Assignment context

Though its Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Suva, Fiji, WFP’s engagement in the Pacific focuses on strengthening national and regional capacities for emergency preparedness and response (EPR), including in logistics, emergency telecommunications, disaster risk management, adaptive social protection, anticipatory action and food security, with an emphasis on supporting government-led systems to better support the most at-risk populations. Within this context, the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) – led globally by WFP under the Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster (LTC) – is activated in the Pacific in a preparedness configuration under the Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT). This enables sustained readiness efforts, coordination, and capacity strengthening with governments and partners, while ensuring the ability to rapidly scale up telecommunications support during emergencies. Driven by the ambition to reduce vulnerabilities faced with the increasing impact of climate change, the ETC Preparedness and Response Officer will serve as an active member of the World Food Programme (WFP)-led Pacific Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) team and will be responsible for supporting the implementation of initiatives that strengthen telecommunications resilience and coordination across the North Pacific, covering the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Nauru, Palau and Kiribati (hereon ‘the North Pacific’) working in direct collaboration with the National Disaster Management Offices (NDMO) and relevant communications authorities across the five countries.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Pacific MCO Head of TEC and Pacific ETC Coordinator based in Suva, Fiji, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Lead the implementation of Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) preparedness and resilience projects and activities across the North Pacific, based out of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), ensuring alignment with national disaster risk management priorities and frameworks of respective countries, particularly National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs) and relevant ICT authorities, while strengthening regional coordination mechanisms and addressing the region’s exposure to typhoons, drought, sea-level rise, and the challenges of remote and dispersed island geographies.
2. Support the development, contextualization, piloting, and refinement of tools such as preparedness assessment methodologies, the country emergency telecommunications preparedness index, simulation and training packages, and national preparedness guidelines and standard operating procedures, ensuring consistency across countries and promoting harmonized approaches to emergency telecommunications preparedness in the North Pacific.
3. Establish, strengthen, and sustain effective coordination for emergency telecommunications across North Pacific countries, fostering interoperability, information sharing, and mutual support arrangements between NDMOs, ICT authorities, regulators, and partners, including during both preparedness and response phases.
4. Maintain consistent and proactive engagement with key stakeholders across the North Pacific, including NDMOs, Ministries and Departments responsible for communications and ICT, telecommunications regulators, telecom service providers, humanitarian partners, and regional organizations, ensuring effective coordination, alignment, and collaboration on emergency telecommunications preparedness and resilience initiatives.
5. In collaboration with partners, develop and regularly update ICT Country Profiles for North Pacific countries, including analysis of telecommunications infrastructure, connectivity gaps, regulatory frameworks, network resilience, and the potential impact of disasters on communications systems, drawing on both desk-based research and consultations with national stakeholders and ETC partners, and identifying opportunities for regional integration and redundancy.
6. Deploy across the North Pacific to support ETC preparedness and resilience missions, including conducting telecommunications assessments, supporting project implementation, and facilitating national and regional workshops, trainings, and simulation exercises, including multi-country exercises that strengthen cross-border coordination and operational readiness.
7. Support the management and delivery of multi-country and country-level ETC preparedness initiatives, including contributing to planning, monitoring, and reporting processes, and ensuring alignment with Pacific Multi-Country Office (MCO) strategic priorities and partner requirements.
8. Design and deliver, or support the delivery of, national and regional training programmes, workshops, and simulation exercises as a subject matter expert in emergency telecommunications preparedness, with a strong emphasis on building sustainable national capacity while reinforcing regional coordination.
9. Facilitate capacity building of national stakeholders across the North Pacific, including government agencies and local partners, to strengthen preparedness, coordination, and response capabilities in emergency telecommunications, including at sub-national levels and in remote outer island contexts, while promoting peer-to-peer learning and regional knowledge exchange.
10. In collaboration with Information Management functions, contribute to the development of knowledge products, including articles, blogs, case studies, and multimedia content, to document and disseminate lessons learned, best practices, and innovations.
11. Perform other duties as required to support ETC preparedness, resilience, coordination, and regional integration objectives across FSM and the wider North Pacific region.

Skills and experience

Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills; knowledge of UN system policies and functions; proficiency in MS Office. Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential. Experience working with or liaising with governments, UN or regional institutions is desirable. Experience in deploying, managing and configuring satellite and radio communications assets. Experience working in the Pacific or SIDS.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Living conditions

Pohnpei, in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), is a small, remote island duty station with a quiet and close-knit community environment. The security situation is generally stable, with low levels of crime, though routine precautions are advised. Access to Pohnpei is via Pohnpei International Airport, with limited and infrequent flights connecting through regional hubs such as Guam and Honolulu, which can make travel logistics complex and occasionally subject to delays. The climate is tropical, with high humidity, significant rainfall throughout the year, and a pronounced rainy season. The island is also exposed to natural hazards, including typhoons, flooding, and coastal impacts, which can disrupt transport and basic services. Living conditions are modest and reflect the island’s remoteness. Accommodation options are limited, typically consisting of basic apartments or standalone houses, and availability can be constrained. The cost of living is relatively high due to reliance on imported goods, and while food is available through small stores and local markets, variety can be limited and supply chains occasionally disrupted. Electricity and water are generally available but may be subject to periodic outages. Telecommunications services, including mobile networks and internet, exist but are often slower, less reliable, and more expensive than in larger countries. Medical facilities are basic, with a small hospital in Pohnpei; more complex medical care usually requires evacuation to Guam or Hawaii, making adequate insurance essential. Banking services are limited, with a small number of institutions and ATMs available. Overall, Pohnpei presents a more remote and resource-constrained duty station, requiring adaptability, but offers a peaceful working environment and strong engagement with national counterparts and partners.

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