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 during both sudden-onset and prolonged crises. 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 alignment with CRS program quality standards, donor mandates, and humanitarian best practices to enhance emergency response and recovery initiatives.
Candidates will be responsible for fulfilling a range of essential duties and overseeing key functions integral to the position. This includes managing daily operations, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring adherence to established protocols and standards. Additionally, the role demands meticulous attention to detail, strong problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to meet deadlines consistently. Proficiency in relevant software tools and systems, along with effective communication skills, is essential for success in this position.
Rapid deployment serge support will be provided to ESRO country programs during humanitarian responses, ensuring practical program quality and management accompaniment.
You will collaborate with country programs to assume temporary emergency program management and leadership responsibilities, facilitating the establishment and oversight of emergency field offices, teams, and relief operations as required during deployments.
Deliver technical solutions to country teams—both remote and onsite—for emergency program planning, start-up, implementation, and close-out while ensuring full alignment with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and established best practices.
Design top-tier project frameworks by integrating established project management principles with robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) methodologies, ensuring alignment with project scope, contextual factors, and technical specifications.
Assist in formulating and executing regional/CP strategies, standards, tools, and best practices for Emergency Response and Recovery, ensuring meaningful collaboration with partners, donors, and governments. Facilitate a cross-sectoral approach that incorporates gender considerations, safe and dignified programming, and disaster risk reduction measures.
Facilitate the exchange of regional insights by compiling documented lessons learned, promising practices, and innovative response strategies derived from field deployments, and ensure this information is disseminated to the RFP and pertinent HRD and regional stakeholders.
Provide guidance to country programs on integrating program design and implementation standards, partnership principles, and MEAL methodologies to uphold the quality and effectiveness of program execution.
Assist in enhancing Emergency Response and Recovery programming capabilities for staff and partners by assisting in the development of learning and training strategies and agendas or curricula, facilitating trainings and workshops, and providing mentorship and coaching to CP personnel. Capacity strengthening efforts may encompass formal and on-the-job training initiatives, the creation or refinement of operational policies and systems, partner accompaniment, and other relevant approaches as needed.
You will enhance knowledge management and organizational learning by gathering and analyzing program data, assessing strategic initiatives, helping measure program impact, documenting and disseminating lessons learned and best practices, and conducting research to produce internal reports.
As the designated representative, you will attend cluster, donor, and coordination meetings in the field, as required, speaking on behalf of CRS and its partners.
Qualifications
• Minimum of three years of relevant work experience in a similar capacity, preferably with a focus on [specific industry or field if applicable].
• Bachelor’s degree in [relevant field] or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Proficiency in [specific software, tools, or methodologies] with a demonstrated ability to apply them effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to delivering high-quality results under tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication abilities, both written and verbal, to collaborate across teams and stakeholders efficiently.
• Demonstrated capacity to adapt to evolving priorities and industry trends while maintaining a results-driven approach.
A bachelor’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related field is necessary.
Minimum of eight years of progressive international experience in advisory or management positions is required, preferably within an international NGO. A minimum of three years must specifically involve programming interventions in emergency response and recovery program management.
Proficiency in delivering technical support and crafting compelling proposals for external donor funding is essential.
Applicants should possess a strong background in program monitoring and evaluation, with expertise in utilizing data collection tools and methodologies, conducting thorough data analysis, and effectively presenting findings.
Proven expertise in business development, project design, and proposal development, with a focus on emergency response, and strong technical writing capabilities.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
Applicants should possess a Bachelor’s degree in a pertinent field, coupled with a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience. Familiarity with industry-standard software and tools is essential, as is the ability to demonstrate proficiency in data analysis and project management. Strong interpersonal skills and a track record of successful team leadership are highly advantageous. Additionally, prior experience within a fast-paced, dynamic environment is preferred, as is a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
An advanced degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is highly beneficial.
Demonstrates a robust background in navigating and operating within intricate and conflict-affected environments across East and Southern Africa.
Proficiency in humanitarian principles, standards, and systems is required, with a strong advantage given to candidates possessing specific expertise in CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming and standards.
Proven expertise in coaching, mentoring, and facilitating on-the-job training, coupled with a strong passion for developing others.
Individuals must possess hands-on expertise in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as well as Information Management.
Proficient in a range of technical and interpersonal competencies, the ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in relevant areas coupled with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. The role demands a solid educational background in a pertinent field, along with proven experience in executing key responsibilities. Key abilities include effective communication, meticulous attention to detail, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively within a team. Additionally, familiarity with industry-specific tools, methodologies, and best practices is essential to ensure optimal performance and adherence to established standards.
Proficiency in applying technical principles and concepts within Emergency Response and Recovery operations is essential. A solid understanding of related disciplines is required to facilitate a comprehensive, cross-sectoral approach.
Proven expertise in implementing robust security protocols and administering emergency programs within high-risk environments.
Demonstrated capacity to collaborate effectively with local partner organizations is essential.
Proficiency in adhering to the design requirements and regulatory frameworks established by leading emergency donors, such as the US Government, EU/ECHO, and UN agencies, is required.
Skilled in utilizing Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as web conferencing tools and information and budget management systems, along with knowledge-sharing networks.
Mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training experience, with a strong foundation in adult learning principles and practices, is required.
With a strong background in networking and cultivating relationships with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based civil society partners, you possess a deep understanding of partnership principles.
Demonstrates exceptional relationship-building abilities, adept at fostering influence and securing buy-in from stakeholders outside direct reporting lines while collaborating effectively with individuals across varied geographical and cultural backgrounds.
Proven capability to uphold high performance standards while fostering collaborative partnerships in multicultural settings, including environments that are both psychologically and physically demanding.
Proven strategic and analytical abilities, exceptional problem-solving expertise, and advanced systems thinking are essential, enabling you to discern the broader context while exercising sound judgment in decision-making.
Effective proficiency in both written and verbal communication is essential.
Accomplished in delivering compelling presentations, facilitating engaging sessions, providing effective training, and offering mentorship and coaching to foster professional growth.
Results-driven, adaptable professional with a proactive approach seeks to leverage strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to delivering measurable outcomes in a dynamic environment.
Proficiency in English is essential, with fluency in French and Portuguese considered advantageous.
Must be prepared to travel extensively—up to 50% of the year (approximately six months)—with deployments typically lasting between two and eight weeks, as determined by the country program’s requirements. Demonstrated ability to adapt to and thrive in challenging and high-pressure environments is essential, along with the flexibility to relocate and serve wherever the agency deems necessary.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
