Preparedness Specialist (m/f/d)

FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Find out more about our sustainable campaigns and projects on www.four-paws.org.

Would you like to contribute to something meaningful and work with us on our mission? This is your chance. We are looking for dedicated people to enrich our team.

Your contribution will be

• Leading the development and implementation of a unified preparedness framework across the organisation, standardising procedures and workflows to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability in FOUR PAWS' disaster readiness activities
• Establishing and managing strategic partnerships (e.g. NGOs, international organisations and governmental bodies) to enhance animal focused disaster response and preparedness
• Strengthening local partner capacity through tailored support in emergency preparedness planning, animal welfare standards, and response coordination, ensuring partners are empowered to lead sustainable and context-appropriate interventions
• Establishing and managing an animals-in-crisis monitoring system, including periodic needs assessments of focused geographical areas of interest for FOUR PAWS
• Coordinating internal preparedness initiatives, ensuring 'organisational readiness' through cross departmental preparedness standards, training sessions, and simulations
• Developing and collaborating across teams within the Response and Preparedness department on internal protocols that enable efficient emergency response, including the management of a deployment roster of trained personnel
• Designing and rolling out a comprehensive preparedness toolkit: creating, curating, and maintaining a suite of practical tools, templates, guidelines, and resources to support both internal teams and external partners in effective disaster preparedness and response
• Representing FOUR PAWS in external preparedness forums, advocating for the inclusion of animal welfare in disaster and conflict preparedness policies, staying informed about global trends and developments in emergency preparedness and animal welfare

Your profile ideally illustrates

• Several years of experience in emergency preparedness, disaster management, humanitarian response, or a related field—preferably with exposure to animal welfare, NGO, or international organisational contexts
• Demonstrated expertise in developing frameworks, managing partnerships, and leading cross-functional initiatives
• University degree in emergency management, disaster risk reduction, public health, veterinary science, international relations, or a related discipline, advanced degrees or certifications in emergency preparedness or project management are an asset
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken), additional languages are an advantage
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and digital collaboration tools (e.g. Teams, SharePoint, Zoom)
• Experience with data analysis, needs assessment tools, and emergency management software is desirable
• Strong organisational, analytical, project management, communication and facilitation skills
• Ability to engage diverse stakeholders and foster collaboration, work independently and as part of a team, culturally sensitive, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning
• Willingness and ability for limited travel internationally
• Passion for animal welfare and FOUR PAWS vision and mission

Our offer includes

• The opportunity to truly contribute to global animal welfare
• A multinational team
• Flexible working times with the option of partial remote work
• A dog-friendly workplace with a dynamic and pleasant work environment
• Workplace health and wellbeing initiatives
• Wiener Linien annual ticket (or partial contribution to Klima Ticket) and pension fund after probationary period
• PAWSdays: extra days off at the end of the year on top of your 25 days of annual leave
• Birthday leave: extra day off to use around your birthday
• The yearly gross salary range for this position is 47,500 - 59,000 EUR (full-time base, consisting of 14 payments) according to our internal compensation scheme.

We reveal, rescue and protect unique animals from many different species through systems change and by creating species-appropriate environments at our sanctuaries!

We celebrate our colleagues' differences and strive to create an inclusive environment because we believe that only by working together, we can advance animal welfare worldwide. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we strongly encourage candidates from all diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals with diverse lived experiences, racial identities, national origins, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and disability statuses to apply. We welcome everyone who wants to support our mission. Please contact [email protected] if you require assistance applying to this position.

All interested individuals are invited to submit their applications for the position. Please note that in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, having a valid work permit for the respective country or being eligible to obtain one is a requirement for this position prior to commencing employment.

Join our passionate team to make a difference for animals. Apply with your CV in English today.

Apply now!

Here