Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR)

Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR)

The Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) is responsible for PCPM’s system-level capacity in emergency preparedness and crisis response, implemented in close cooperation with the Polish civil protection system and its international linkages.

The Director reports to the PCPM Management Board and works closely with the Director of Humanitarian Programmes, PCPM regional offices, and Warsaw-based operational and support teams.

This position serves as a key interface between PCPM and public authorities in the field of civil protection, while safeguarding the civilian character of the organisation, maintaining a clear separation of roles between public administration and an NGO, and ensuring interoperability with EU and international mechanisms.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Oversight

  • Provide strategic leadership for PCPM’s emergency preparedness and crisis response activities conducted:
  • within the Polish civil protection system,
  • at national level and through PCPM regional offices,
  • within international mechanisms, including the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and WHO Emergency Medical Teams (EMT).

Crisis Response Modules

  • Oversee PCPM crisis response capacities, including:
  • Emergency Medical Teams (EMT Type 1 fixed and EMT Type 1 mobile),
  • medical evacuation (medevac) and transit support capacities,
  • other crisis response modules developed by PCPM under the national civil protection system and UCPM.
  • Ensure operational readiness, further development and compliance of all modules with Polish and EU civil protection requirements.

Operational Leadership

  • Participate in the leadership and coordination of PCPM crisis response deployments in Poland and internationally, as required.

External Representation and Monitoring

  • Act as PCPM’s primary focal point vis-à-vis:
  • the Ministry of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA),
  • the National Headquarters of the State Fire Service (KG PSP),
  • in matters related to preparedness, planning, role definition and interoperability, while respecting the civilian nature of PCPM and the competencies of public authorities.
  • Monitor key national and international developments in civil protection and crisis management.
  • Initiate and propose PCPM participation in relevant professional forums, exercises and conferences.
  • Prepare substantive inputs and presentations, and represent PCPM directly or support Management Board members in external engagements.

Readiness and Contingency Planning

  • Ensure PCPM’s readiness for crisis response, including:
  • oversight of contingency planning,
  • coordination of surge capacity,
  • supervision of logistics, procurement, equipment and staff readiness, in cooperation with specialised operational teams.

International Positioning

  • Strengthen PCPM’s role within EU and international mechanisms, in particular:
  • EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM),
  • WHO Emergency Medical Teams (EMT),
  • OCHA.
  • Develop bilateral cooperation with selected countries in Eastern Europe and Asia.

Coordination of Focal Points

  • Manage and coordinate PCPM focal points in the area of civil protection and preparedness in other countries, ensuring coherence between national and international activities, exercises and partnership programmes.

Internal Advisory Role

  • Provide expert advisory support across PCPM programmes on preparedness, crisis response and civil protection,
  • without direct responsibility for the management of humanitarian or development projects.

Required Profile

  • Polish citizenship or permanent residence in Poland.
  • Excellent command of English.
  • In-depth knowledge of the Polish civil protection system and public administration.
  • Professional experience at the intersection of:
  • public administration,
  • non-governmental organisations,
  • EU or international structures.
  • Proven ability to work in civilian, non-hierarchical environments involving diverse institutions and perspectives.
  • Strong system-level and strategic thinking, going beyond a uniformed services mindset.
  • Willingness to work in an NGO environment based on consensus, negotiation and cross-sector cooperation rather than command hierarchy.
  • High level of autonomy and ability to deliver results with limited resources and team capacity.
  • Availability for domestic and international travel, including crisis response deployments.

How to apply

Closing date: 28 February 2026 (COB)

Please submit:

  • your CV, and
  • a letter of intent

to: [email protected]

Email subject: Director – Emergency Preparedness and Response

Applications may be submitted in English or Polish. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

In line with EU data protection regulations, your CV must include the following statement:

“I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data by PCPM – Polish Center for International Aid, for the purposes necessary to carry out the recruitment process.”

Candidates have the right to access, correct and delete their personal data. Providing personal data is voluntary but necessary to participate in the recruitment process.

PCPM is committed to safeguarding and protecting project participants and staff from all forms of abuse, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, neglect, intimidation and violence. The organisation implements safeguarding procedures based on four pillars: awareness, prevention, reporting and response.

Recruitment Process will comprise of:

  • Review of CVs and letters of intent
  • Online interviews

PCPM reserves the right to contact only shortlisted candidates.