Job Summary
The Technical Advisor II – Emergency Response and Recovery Surge Support for East and Southern Africa (ESRO) serves as a field-focused emergency response specialist, delivering immediate, high-impact program quality, management, and leadership serge support to CRS country programs across ESRO in response to both sudden-onset and protracted emergencies. Positioned within HRD’s Emergency Program Response Team (EPR), this role operates under the supervision of the Regional Focal Point for Emergency Response in ESRO, ensuring the delivery of superior emergency response and recovery initiatives that align with CRS program quality standards, donor mandates, and established humanitarian best practices.
Crafts and delivers comprehensive job descriptions, meticulously outlining the core duties, essential functions, and performance expectations associated with each position. Ensures alignment with organizational objectives while maintaining clarity and precision in responsibilities, qualifications, and reporting structures. Serves as a foundational tool for recruitment, performance evaluation, and talent development initiatives, fostering consistency and transparency across all roles. Collaborates with hiring managers and HR stakeholders to capture role-specific competencies and evolving business needs, ensuring relevance and compliance with industry standards.
Offer swift, surge-based deployment assistance to ESRO country programs amid humanitarian crises, ensuring hands-on guidance in program quality enhancement and effective management practices.
Collaborate with country programs to deliver interim emergency program management and leadership, ensuring the establishment and oversight of emergency field offices, teams, and relief operations as required during deployments.
Deliver tailored technical solutions to both remote and onsite country teams throughout the emergency program lifecycle—from planning and start-up through implementation and close-out—while ensuring full alignment with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and established best practices.
Direct project leadership is essential, integrating established project management practices with MEAL methodologies to ensure alignment with project scope, contextual factors, and technical specifications.
Develop and execute regional and country program strategies, standards, tools, and best practices for Emergency Response and Recovery, fostering collaboration among partners, donors, and governmental bodies. Promote a cross-sectoral methodology that incorporates gender considerations, safe and dignified programming, and disaster risk reduction.
Document lessons learned, promising practices, and response innovations from deployments to enhance regional knowledge sharing, ensuring these insights are captured and disseminated to the RFP and other relevant HRD and regional stakeholders.
Support country programs in applying established standards for program design and implementation, adhering to partnership principles and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) approaches to uphold the highest quality of execution.
Drive capacity-building efforts in Emergency Response and Recovery programs for staff and partners by designing and implementing learning and training strategies, agendas, and curricula, delivering training sessions and workshops, and providing mentorship and coaching to CP staff. These efforts may encompass formal training, on-the-job learning, the development or refinement of operational policies and systems, and partner accompaniment, where relevant.
Support organizational knowledge management and continuous learning initiatives by gathering and analyzing program data, assessing the progress of strategic projects, helping to measure program impact, documenting and disseminating key lessons learned and effective practices, and conducting research to produce internal reports.
Represent Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and its partners at cluster, donor, and coordination meetings in the field as required.
Seeking an experienced professional with a proven track record of analytical problem-solving and strategic decision-making. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams. Proficiency in industry-specific tools and technologies is required, along with a minimum of five years in a relevant field. A bachelor’s degree in a related discipline is mandatory, and advanced certifications are advantageous. Responsibilities include leading project initiatives, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. The role demands meticulous attention to detail, adaptability in fast-paced environments, and a commitment to continuous professional development.
Seeking candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent qualification. Minimum of three years’ experience in a related field is mandatory. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, is essential. Excellent communication skills are required. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting is necessary. Must meet physical demands, such as standing for extended periods and lifting up to 25 pounds. Valid driver’s license and clean driving record are required if the role involves travel.
A Bachelor’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is a prerequisite for this role.
Minimum eight years of progressive international advisory or management experience, preferably within an international NGO, is required. Among these, at least three years must involve direct involvement in Emergency Response and Recovery program management.
Professional experience in delivering technical support and crafting successful proposals for external donor funding is a prerequisite.
Proficiency in program monitoring and evaluation is essential, encompassing the implementation of data collection tools and methodologies, rigorous data analysis, and effective data presentation techniques.
Professional candidates will possess a strong background in business development, project design, and proposal development within the realm of emergency response, alongside demonstrated expertise in technical writing.
Preferred Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least three years of professional experience in a similar role. Proficiency in industry-standard software and tools is essential, along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Candidates should demonstrate excellent communication and teamwork abilities, with a proven track record of delivering results. Familiarity with project management methodologies and regulatory compliance is highly desirable. Additional certifications or advanced degrees may be advantageous.
A Master’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is highly beneficial.
Proven expertise navigating intricate and conflict-ridden environments across East and Southern Africa is required.
Proficiency in humanitarian principles, standards, and systems is required, with a preference for expertise in CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming and standards.
Demonstrates a strong aptitude for coaching, mentoring, and facilitating on-the-job training initiatives.
Proficient in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Information Management, with demonstrated practical skills and applicable knowledge.
Possesses a strong foundation of technical expertise and practical experience relevant to the position, along with the capacity to apply specialized competencies effectively. Demonstrates proficiency in key areas through formal education, hands-on training, or professional development initiatives. Exhibits a commitment to continuous learning and adaptability to evolving industry standards and technological advancements. Requires excellent problem-solving abilities, keen analytical thinking, and the capability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment. Must adhere to established protocols, maintain high standards of accuracy, and contribute to organizational goals with diligence and professionalism.
Applies technical principles and concepts effectively within Emergency Response and Recovery frameworks. Possesses a broad understanding of related disciplines to facilitate a comprehensive, cross-sectoral approach.
Highly skilled in implementing and overseeing security protocols and managing emergency response programs in high-risk settings.
Must demonstrate proficiency in collaborating with local partner organizations.
You should possess familiarity with the design requirements and regulatory guidelines mandated by key emergency donors, such as the US Government, the European Union/European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and United Nations agencies.
Skilled in utilizing Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as web conferencing tools, information and budget management systems, and knowledge-sharing platforms.
Proven track record in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training, with a strong foundation in adult learning principles and methodologies.
Skilled in cultivating relationships with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based civil society partners, with a strong background in networking. Demonstrates a thorough understanding of partnership principles and best practices.
Demonstrates exceptional relationship-building abilities, adept at fostering influence and securing buy-in from stakeholders beyond direct reporting lines while collaborating effectively with individuals across varied geographical and cultural environments.
Capable of sustaining high performance standards and fostering constructive professional relationships across varied cultural settings, even in high-pressure psychological and physically demanding conditions.
Proven expertise in strategic planning, analytical reasoning, problem resolution, and systems analysis, complemented by the capacity to conceptualize overarching objectives and deliver well-informed decisions.
Effective written and verbal communication skills are essential.
Proven expertise in delivering compelling presentations, leading engaging training sessions, and facilitating workshops, combined with a strong aptitude for mentoring and coaching individuals and teams to achieve their goals.
A proactive, resourceful, and results-driven professional who demonstrates initiative, adaptability, and a strong commitment to achieving measurable outcomes.
English fluency is mandatory for this role, with strong preference given to candidates who also possess proficiency in French and Portuguese.
Must be prepared to undertake travel commitments of up to 50% annually (approximately six months per year), with deployment durations typically ranging from two to eight weeks, contingent upon the requirements of the country program. Must demonstrate the ability to reside and operate effectively in challenging and high-pressure environments while fulfilling assignments as directed by the agency.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
