Emergency Response Volunteers

1. Background

Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e. V. is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Germany operating in the humanitarian assistance and development fields. It was established in 1962, as the German section of the “Freedom from Hunger Campaign”, one of the world’s first initiatives aimed at the eradication of hunger. Welthungerhilfe’s work is still dedicated to the following vision: All people have a right to a self-determined life in dignity and justice, free from hunger and poverty.

In Iraq, Welthungerhilfe works closely with national and local authorities as well as the United

Nations and other humanitarian organisations to provide humanitarian assistance and

development cooperation to communities affected after the so-called Islamic State (IS) took over

large parts of Iraq in 2014.

In light of the evolving regional context and the risk of escalation linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions, WHH Iraq is strengthening its emergency preparedness and response capacity. As part of this effort, WHH may mobilize volunteers to support the rapid implementation of humanitarian activities in the event of displacement, refugee influx, or disruption of essential services.

2. Objectives

The primary objectives of this volunteer engagement are to:

• Support timely and effective delivery of emergency assistance (Shelter, WASH, Cash, Protection).
• Assist affected populations with dignity, neutrality, and respect.
• Strengthen community-level response and communication.

3. Assignments:

Under the supervision of WHH field staff, volunteers may be assigned to support the following activities:

3.1 Field Operations

• Assist in the distribution of non-food items (NFIs), shelter materials, Cash, and hygiene kits.
• Support basic WASH activities, including hygiene awareness sessions, distribution of hygiene kits, monitoring of water and sanitation facilities, and community engagement on safe hygiene practice

• Assist with crowd management and organization at distribution sites

       3.2 Registration & Data Support

• Support participant registration and verification process.
• Assist the MEAL team in data collection using approved tools and methodologies
• Support tracking of newly arrived internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees

3.3 Communication & Accountability

• Provide accurate and clear information to affected populations regarding available services

4. Protection Mainstreaming

• Identify and refer vulnerable individuals to appropriate services
• Promote inclusive, respectful, and non-discriminatory engagement with all beneficiaries
• Support safe and appropriate interaction with women, children, elderly persons, and persons with disabilities

5. Reporting Line

Volunteers will report directly to the Field Team Leader or Program Manager and will work in close coordination with relevant sector staff and the MEAL focal point.

6. Code of Conduct & Safeguarding

All volunteers are required to adhere to WHH Iraq policies and standards, including:

• Compliance with WHH Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) policies
• Respect for confidentiality and protection of personal data
• Commitment to treating all individuals with dignity, respect, and without discrimination
• Zero tolerance for any form of exploitation, abuse, or misconduct
• Obligation to immediately report any safeguarding concerns through established channels

7. Assignment Terms:

• Engagement will be on an emergency basis, with flexible hours as required
• Volunteers may operate in high-risk or unstable environments.
• Limited mobility depending on security situation
• Roles and responsibilities may evolve based on operational priorities

8. Support Provided by WHH

This is a voluntary position. However, WHH may provide the following support, subject to internal policies and available resources:

• Brief orientation on safety, protection, and roles
• Identification (badge/vest)
• field supervision and guidance
• Daily Allowance (DSA)

9. Duration and Modality

• Volunteers will be engaged on an on-call basis
• Deployment duration may vary from a few days to several weeks depending on needs
• Volunteers must be available for deployment within 24–48 hours upon activation

 10. Required Commitment

will be determined based on operational needs and emergency response requirements. Volunteers are expected to work based on need, depending on field activities and deployment conditions. Flexibility is required due to the nature of emergency operations.

 11. Benefits

During active deployment, volunteers will receive a daily allowance (DA) intended to cover transportation and meals (food) for each day of field duty, in accordance with WHH policies.

Qualifications required:

• Basic literacy and strong communication skills
• Fluency in Arabic and/or Kurdish (knowledge of Persian is an asset)
• Ability to work effectively in high-pressure and potentially insecure environments
• Demonstrated respect for diversity and commitment to humanitarian principles
• Previous volunteer or community work is an advantage

Eligible candidates should submit their application through the official online form below:

Emergency Response Volunteers – Fill out form

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further steps.

Important Note

This position is based on emergency response needs. Selected volunteers will be contacted and mobilized only when required by operational activities.