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 deployment program quality, management, and leadership serge support to CRS country programs across ESRO during both sudden-onset and protracted crises. Positioned within HRD’s Emergency Program Response Team (EPR), this role functions under the supervision of the Regional Focal Point for Emergency Response in ESRO, ensuring the delivery of high-caliber emergency response and recovery initiatives that align with CRS program quality principles, donor mandates, and established humanitarian standards.
Responsibilities include leading cross-functional teams to deliver strategic initiatives, overseeing project execution from inception to completion, and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Additionally, the position entails developing and implementing policies to enhance operational efficiency while maintaining rigorous compliance with industry regulations. Collaboration with senior leadership is essential to drive decision-making, and the role requires analyzing performance metrics to identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Furthermore, the individual will be responsible for mentoring junior staff and fostering a culture of accountability and innovation within the team.
Offer immediate, surge-based assistance to ESRO country programs during humanitarian emergencies, providing hands-on guidance in program quality enhancement and management support.
You will collaborate with country programs to assume temporary emergency program management and leadership responsibilities, facilitating the establishment and administration of emergency field offices, teams, and relief operations as required during deployments.
Deliver tailored technical solutions to both remote and on-site country teams throughout the lifecycle of emergency programs—including planning, start-up, implementation, and close-out—while ensuring full compliance with CRS program quality principles, donor requirements, and industry best practices.
Deliver meticulously crafted project designs that align with established project management standards and MEAL methodologies, ensuring full compliance with project scope, contextual factors, and technical specifications.
You will play a key role in shaping and executing regional and CP strategies, standards, tools, and best practices for Emergency Response and Recovery, fostering collaboration with partners, donors, and governments. Your efforts will ensure a holistic, cross-sectoral approach that embeds gender considerations, promotes safe and dignified programming, and advances disaster risk reduction.
Document lessons learned, promising practices, and response innovations from deployments, then compile and share this information with the RFP and key HRD and regional stakeholders to enhance regional knowledge sharing.
Support country programs in adhering to established program design and implementation standards, partnership principles, and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) approaches to uphold high-quality execution across all initiatives.
Contribute to capacity-building efforts in Emergency Response and Recovery programming by collaborating on the design of learning and training strategies, agendas, and curricula. Deliver training sessions and workshops while providing mentorship and coaching to Country Program (CP) staff. Implement a range of capacity-strengthening methods, such as structured and practical on-the-job training, refining operational policies and systems, and offering partner accompaniment where applicable.
Play a key role in enhancing knowledge management and organizational learning by gathering and analyzing program data, assessing strategic initiatives, supporting the measurement of program impact, documenting and disseminating lessons learned and best practices, as well as conducting research and preparing internal reports.
Represent CRS and its partners in cluster, donor, and coordination meetings in the field, as may be required.
Seeking a highly motivated individual with a minimum of five years of experience in a similar role, along with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Proficiency in industry-standard software and tools, along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, is required. Must demonstrate excellent communication abilities, both written and verbal, to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams. Familiarity with project management methodologies and a track record of meeting deadlines are essential. Additionally, the ideal candidate will possess leadership qualities and the ability to mentor junior staff.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a relevant field
• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline or equivalent practical experience
• Proficiency with industry-standard software tools and platforms
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development
A bachelor’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related field is required.
Eight years or more of progressive international experience in advisory or management positions is required, preferably within an international NGO. Additionally, at least three years must be dedicated to programming interventions, specifically in Emergency Response and Recovery program management.
Proficiency in offering technical support and crafting successful proposals for external donor funding is essential.
Proficiency in program monitoring and evaluation is required, encompassing the application of data collection tools and methodologies, conducting thorough data analysis, and effectively presenting findings.
Proven expertise in business development, project design, and proposal development within emergency response contexts, with strong capabilities in technical writing.
Preferred Qualifications:
• MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or related field.
• 3+ years of professional experience in software development or relevant industry roles.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, or Java.
• Experience with machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
A master’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is highly beneficial.
Proficiency in operating within intricate and conflict-affected environments across East and Southern Africa is required.
Proficiency in humanitarian principles, standards, and systems is required, with a preferred background in CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming and associated standards.
Possesses a strong background in coaching, mentoring, and delivering hands-on training, coupled with a genuine passion for guiding and developing others.
Proficient in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Information Management, with hands-on expertise and practical skills.
We seek a candidate with a strong foundation in relevant technical expertise, problem-solving capabilities, and effective communication skills. The ideal applicant will demonstrate proficiency in key methodologies and tools pertinent to the role, along with a proven ability to analyze complex situations and implement practical solutions. Strong interpersonal skills are essential for collaborating with teams, stakeholders, and clients to achieve organizational objectives. Additionally, the candidate must exhibit adaptability, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Applies technical principles and concepts effectively in emergency response and recovery efforts. Possesses a broad understanding of related disciplines to ensure a cross-sectoral approach is maintained.
Skilled in implementing robust security protocols and effectively managing emergency programs within high-risk settings.
Proven capability to collaborate effectively with community-based partner organizations.
Proficient in understanding and adhering to the design requirements and regulatory frameworks established by leading emergency donors, such as the US Government, European Union/European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and United Nations agencies.
Skilled in utilizing MS Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as web conferencing tools, information and budget management systems, and knowledge-sharing networks.
Demonstrates a strong background in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training, with a focus on implementing adult learning principles and methodologies.
Seasoned professional with expertise in cultivating and maintaining networks and relationships with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based civil society partners. Demonstrated proficiency in partnership principles and collaborative frameworks.
Demonstrates strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, enabling effective collaboration and alignment with stakeholders beyond direct reporting lines across varied geographical and cultural environments.
Maintaining high performance standards and fostering strong professional relationships are essential in culturally diverse settings, as well as environments that present psychological and physical challenges.
We possess exceptional strategic and analytical capabilities, coupled with robust problem-solving and systems thinking proficiencies, enabling us to discern overarching patterns and formulate well-reasoned decisions. Our capacity to evaluate complex scenarios and identify interconnected solutions ensures effective judgment and long-term impact.
Proficient in both written and verbal communication, with the ability to convey ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively.
Exceptional proficiency in delivering presentations, facilitating group sessions, conducting training programs, mentoring individuals, and coaching teams is required.
Proactive, resourceful, and driven by measurable outcomes, the ideal candidate excels in dynamic environments while consistently delivering impactful results.
Required Languages: Fluency in English is essential, with proficiency in French and Portuguese considered advantageous.
Must possess the flexibility to travel up to 50% of the time—approximately six months annually—with deployments typically lasting between two and eight weeks based on the requirements of the country program. Capable of thriving in demanding and high-pressure environments while fulfilling assignments in any location specified by the agency.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
