Disaster Preparedness Coordinator - Caracas

About the Position

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world's leading humanitarian NGOs, working in over 30 countries to provide adequate assistance and protection to refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, returnees, people on the move, and vulnerable local populations/host communities. Currently, DRC is seeking a highly qualified national or international Disaster Preparedness Coordinator based in Caracas, Venezuela.

Responsibilities

Technical Support

• Provide technical support and guidance to DRC Venezuela in the implementation of projects and tools related to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRD), Disaster Preparedness (DP), and Disaster Management (DM) at the organizational, government, and community levels linked to anticipatory action, anticipatory early warning, and disaster resilience.
• Monitor and follow up on the implementation of DRC Venezuela projects related to disaster preparedness and resilience.
• Provide technical support for the integration, preparedness, and resilience of disasters into DRC Venezuela's plans and strategy, as appropriate.
• Promote greater understanding of disaster preparedness and resilience terminologies, tools, quality criteria, and approaches.
• Provide technical and operational support for the articulation of preparedness mechanisms in situations of imminent disaster risk, considering anticipatory measures and the link with the implementation of response actions.
• Lead the design and implementation of Anticipatory Action (AA) projects and proposals, develop tools and methodologies to guide programming, and establish systems to measure the impact of DRC’s interventions.

Coordination and Advocacy

• Liaise DRC Venezuela with relevant inter-institutional and local partners on disaster preparedness and resilience mechanisms to ensure good coordination and identify potential synergies and partnerships.
• Contribute to DRC Venezuela's planning and resource mobilization, e.g., prepare concept notes, lead/participate in the development of projects/program proposals related to disaster preparedness and resilience.
• Co-Lead the AA sub-working group and represent DRC in regional and global forums.

Learning and Knowledge Management

• Strengthen capacity-building and knowledge-sharing at the organizational and community levels for disaster preparedness and resilience initiatives and processes.
• Provide timely updates and advice on scientific and technical developments, trends, best practices, areas for improvement, and lessons learned.
• Finalize Impact Studies on the implementation of localized AA interventions.

Planning & Reporting

• Support the formulation of plans and technical reports.
• Provide feedback and quality assurance to DRC offices and teams in Venezuela on the application of the disaster preparedness and resilience approach with the aim of ensuring integration and scaling up of its approach.
• Participate in coordination meetings, providing technical support and relevant information.
• Technically line-manage DP Team Leaders in Apure and Zulia. Line manages other focal points if recruited.

Requirements

• 5 years of experience in the humanitarian sector, related to the management of programs and/or operations in Disaster Risk Reduction linked to the strengthening of institutional and community preparedness capacity and emergency response operations.
• 3 years of experience working as a project manager related to disaster risk management and/or preparedness in Latin-America.
• Experience in Developing humanitarian early action and/or early warning systems.
• Good understanding of the global humanitarian environment and in Latin America.
• Good ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in coordination with authorities and other humanitarian actors.
• Experience in designing localized and integrated DP responses.
• Experience in narrative and financial reporting.
• Climate Change Adaptation knowledge is an advantage.

Education

• Advanced degree in Disaster Risk Reduction & Management, Urban Planning, or another related field is highly preferred, OR
• Advanced degree in social sciences, social work, gender studies, international development / WASH / Rights Based approach / Community Empowerment, or related fields, OR
• Advanced degree in Project Management.

Languages

• Fluency in English (speaking, writing, reading) is essential.
• Communication skills in Spanish are mandatory.

We Offer

• The opportunity to be part of one of the best NGOs worldwide.
• Access to over 1,000 free online trainings and certifications.
• Contract duration: subject to budget availability.
• Salary: Band G / Terms of Employment for national or expatriate staff, as applicable.
• HCM insurance fully covered by the organization.

About the Company

Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In over 30 countries, we protect, advocate, and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.

By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of over 6,000 employees. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
• Culture, values & strong leadership
• Fair compensation & continuous development

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s, and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants based on individual merit and qualifications, regardless of personal characteristics or attributes. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce, aiming for a 50% balance of men and women in management roles and ensuring that at least 50% of management roles are filled by national staff. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is crucial for achieving our organizational goals and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.

Application Process

All applicants must upload a cover letter (max. 1 page) and an updated CV (max. 2 pages, without attachments) in English or Spanish, on the DRC employment platform. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Application Deadline

Sunday, October 18 at 11:59 pm Local Time. Please note that applications will be reviewed continuously, and interviews will be scheduled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. DRC reserves the right to close the vacancy before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified.

Start Date

October 2026

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