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 protracted crises. Positioned within HRD’s Emergency Program Response Team (EPR), the incumbent reports to the Regional Focal Point for Emergency Response for ESRO, ensuring the execution of emergency response and recovery initiatives aligns with CRS program quality standards, donor specifications, and established humanitarian best practices.
The primary roles and essential duties encompass a comprehensive range of responsibilities tailored to ensure operational excellence and strategic alignment. This position requires individuals to demonstrate proficiency in executing core tasks while adhering to established protocols and performance standards. Key accountabilities include managing day-to-day operations, fostering collaboration among team members, and driving initiatives that support organizational goals. Additionally, the role demands a commitment to continuous improvement, problem-solving, and maintaining high levels of accountability in all undertakings.
Offer immediate surge assistance to ESRO country programs during humanitarian crises, ensuring high-quality program implementation and robust management support.
Collaborate with country programs to deliver interim emergency program management and leadership, while assisting in the establishment and oversight of emergency field offices, teams, and relief operations as needed during deployments.
Deliver tailored technical solutions to country teams—whether remote or on-site—to support emergency program planning, start-up, implementation, and close-out, while ensuring alignment with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and established best practices.
Design and deliver high-caliber project frameworks that align with established project management principles and MEAL methodologies, ensuring full adaptation to project scope, contextual factors, and technical specifications.
You will play a key role in shaping and executing regional/CP strategies, standards, tools, and best practices for Emergency Response and Recovery, fostering collaboration with partners, donors, and governments. Additionally, you will support the integration of a cross-sectoral approach, emphasizing gender equity, safe and dignified programming, and disaster risk reduction.
Support regional knowledge-sharing initiatives by capturing lessons learned, highlighting promising practices, and recording response innovations from field deployments, then distributing this information to the RFP and key HRD and regional stakeholders.
Assist national initiatives in adhering to established program design and execution standards, partnership guidelines, and MEAL methodologies to uphold superior implementation quality.
Support capacity-building efforts in Emergency Response and Recovery initiatives for staff and partners by designing and implementing learning and training strategies, developing agendas and curricula, delivering training sessions and workshops, and providing mentorship and coaching to CP staff. These efforts may encompass formal and on-the-job training, refining operational policies and systems, and partner accompaniment, as deemed appropriate.
By playing a key role in knowledge management and organizational learning, you will gather and analyze program data, assess the progress of strategic initiatives, support the evaluation of program impact, document and disseminate lessons learned and best practices, and conduct research to produce internal reports.
Represent CRS and affiliated partners in designated cluster, donor, and coordination meetings across field locations upon request.
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Computer Science, Engineering, or Mathematics, is required. A minimum of five years of professional experience in software development or a related area is necessary. Proficiency in programming languages like Python, Java, or C++ is essential. Familiarity with agile methodologies and version control systems, such as Git, is also required. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment are critical. Excellent communication skills for articulating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders are highly valued.
To qualify for this position, candidates must meet the following essential criteria: a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience, a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and proficiency in industry-standard software tools. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are required, along with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are also necessary to effectively engage with stakeholders at all levels.
A bachelor’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is essential.
A minimum of eight years of relevant international experience is required, preferably gained in advisory or management positions with increasing responsibility, ideally within an international NGO. This experience must include at least three years dedicated to program management, specifically within Emergency Response and Recovery interventions.
Proficiency in delivering technical support and crafting compelling proposals for external donor funding is essential.
Proficiency in program monitoring and evaluation, encompassing the implementation of data collection instruments and methodologies, conducting data analysis, and effectively presenting findings.
Professional candidates will possess demonstrated expertise in business development, project design, and proposal development within the emergency response sector, with strong technical writing capabilities.
Preferred Qualifications include a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in a similar role, along with proficiency in industry-standard software tools. Candidates should possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, demonstrated through past achievements. Familiarity with project management methodologies and a track record of delivering measurable results within deadlines are highly desirable. Exceptional communication abilities, both written and verbal, are essential for collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. A bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent practical experience is preferred.
A Master’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a comparable discipline is highly desirable.
Proven track record of working in intricate and volatile environments across East and Southern Africa.
Proficiency in humanitarian principles, standards, and systems is essential, with a strong preference for expertise in CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming and associated standards.
Renowned for a strong aptitude in coaching, mentoring, and facilitating on-the-job training initiatives, with a demonstrated passion for developing talent and fostering professional growth.
Proficiency in Information and Community Technology (ICT) and Information Management is essential.
Applicants must possess the essential knowledge, expertise, and capabilities to perform the required duties effectively. Candidates should demonstrate a thorough understanding of relevant industry standards, methodologies, and best practices. Proficiency in key technical or functional areas, along with strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving abilities, is required. The ideal candidate will exhibit adaptability, attention to detail, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment. Prior experience in a similar role, coupled with relevant certifications or specialized training, may be advantageous.
Applies technical principles and concepts effectively within Emergency Response and Recovery operations. Maintains a broad understanding of related disciplines to ensure a comprehensive, cross-sectoral approach.
Possesses advanced expertise in implementing and overseeing security protocols, along with effectively managing emergency response programs in high-risk settings.
Ability to work with local partner organizations.
Proficiency in design requirements and regulatory standards set forth by leading emergency donors, such as the United States Government, the European Union/European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and United Nations agencies, is essential.
Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.
With a proven track record in mentoring, coaching, facilitating, and delivering training programs grounded in adult learning principles and practices.
Proven expertise in cultivating networks and fostering relationships with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based civil society partners. Demonstrated comprehension of partnership principles and best practices.
Skilled in cultivating strong professional relationships, with a proven ability to persuade and secure commitment from stakeholders beyond one’s immediate chain of command, as well as collaborating effectively with individuals across varied geographic locations and cultural backgrounds.
Proven capability to uphold high performance standards and cultivate strong professional relationships across diverse cultural settings, even amid psychologically and physically demanding conditions.
Proven expertise in strategic planning, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving, coupled with exceptional systems thinking capabilities to effectively assess the broader context and exercise sound judgment in decision-making.
Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in both written and verbal communication.
Exceptional skills in delivering presentations, facilitating discussions, providing training sessions, and offering mentorship and coaching are required.
Results-driven, highly adaptable, and solution-focused professional with a strong ability to anticipate challenges and deliver measurable outcomes.
Required Languages: Fluency in English is essential, with proficiency in French and Portuguese considered advantageous.
Must be prepared to travel extensively, up to 50% of the time (approximately six months per year), with deployments lasting between two and eight weeks based on the requirements of the country program. Should demonstrate resilience and adaptability to operate effectively in challenging or high-stress environments and fulfill assignments as directed by agency priorities.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
