Job Summary
The Technical Advisor II – Emergency Response and Recovery Surge Support for East and Southern Africa (ESRO) serves as a field-based emergency response specialist, delivering immediate, high-impact program quality assurance, 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) and supervised by the Regional Focal Point for Emergency Response for ESRO, this role plays a critical role in strengthening emergency response and recovery initiatives by adhering to CRS program quality standards, donor stipulations, and established humanitarian guidelines.
We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join our team, where you will take on key responsibilities and play a pivotal role in driving our success. Your duties will encompass a diverse range of tasks, including strategic planning, project execution, and cross-functional collaboration to achieve organizational objectives. You will be expected to analyze complex data, identify trends, and provide actionable insights to senior leadership, ensuring informed decision-making. Additionally, you will oversee departmental operations, manage stakeholder relationships, and implement innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and a proven track record of delivering results in a fast-paced environment. A keen attention to detail, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement are essential.
Offer swift deployment serge assistance to ESRO country programs amid humanitarian crises, ensuring practical program quality and management guidance.
Collaborate with country programs to assume temporary emergency program management or leadership positions, facilitating the establishment and oversight of emergency field offices, teams, and relief operations as required during deployments.
Deliver technical expertise to country teams—both remotely and onsite—to support emergency program planning, startup, implementation, and close-out phases, while maintaining strict alignment with CRS program quality principles and standards as well as donor guidelines and recognized best practices.
Lead high-quality project design by integrating established project management standards with MEAL methodologies, ensuring alignment with project scope, context, and technical specifications.
Support the formulation and execution of regional/CP strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in Emergency Response and Recovery, with a focus on fostering meaningful engagement with partners, donors, and governments. Assist in embedding a cross-sectoral methodology that incorporates gender considerations, safe and dignified programming, and disaster risk reduction.
Facilitate the exchange of regional insights by compiling and recording valuable lessons learned, emerging best practices, and innovative response strategies derived from field deployments, then disseminating this information to the RFP team and key HRD and regional stakeholders.
Contribute to the enhancement of country-level initiatives by ensuring adherence to program design and implementation standards, partnership principles, and MEAL methodologies, thereby guaranteeing excellence in execution.
Enhance capacity-building efforts in Emergency Response and Recovery programming by collaborating on the design of learning and training strategies, agendas, and curricula for staff and partners. Facilitate capacity development through delivering trainings and workshops, as well as providing mentorship and coaching to Child Protection (CP) staff. These approaches may encompass formal and on-the-job training, operational policy development or streamlining, and partner accompaniment, among other tailored strategies as needed.
You will play a vital role in advancing knowledge management and organizational learning by gathering and analyzing program data, assessing strategic initiatives, supporting impact measurement efforts, documenting and disseminating lessons learned and best practices, and conducting research to produce internal reports.
Representing CRS and its partners, you will actively participate in cluster, donor, and coordination meetings in the field as needed.
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as education, psychology, or social sciences is required, along with a minimum of two years of professional experience in a similar role. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with data management systems are essential. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are necessary to effectively collaborate with team members and stakeholders. Additionally, the ability to multitask and prioritize under tight deadlines is crucial.
Seeking candidates with a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and proficiency in pertinent software applications. Ideal applicants must demonstrate strong analytical abilities, exceptional communication skills, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively. Responsibilities include managing multiple projects, conducting thorough research, and presenting actionable insights to stakeholders. Applicants should be detail-oriented, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning in a fast-paced environment.
A bachelor’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is essential.
A minimum of eight years of relevant international work experience in advisory or managerial capacities, with a track record of increasing responsibility, is required. Experience gained with an international NGO is preferred, particularly in roles involving programming interventions. Additionally, candidates should have at least three years of direct involvement in Emergency Response and Recovery program management.
Expertise in delivering technical support and crafting winning proposals for external donor funding is mandatory.
Proficient in program monitoring and evaluation, with expertise in implementing data collection tools and methodologies, conducting thorough data analysis, and effectively presenting data insights.
Proven track record in business development, proposal design, and technical writing for emergency response projects.
Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in software development, data analysis, or a related domain.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the capacity to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) and DevOps practices.
• Familiarity with data engineering, machine learning, or artificial intelligence is a plus.
• Demonstrated leadership or mentorship experience is desirable.
Preferred candidates will possess an advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline—or equivalent hands-on expertise. With at least five years of progressive professional experience, ideally in software development, data analysis, or a closely aligned field, they will demonstrate deep proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++. Exceptional analytical abilities and the capacity to tackle complex challenges—whether solo or as part of a collaborative team—are essential. Strong interpersonal and presentation skills enable them to translate intricate technical insights into clear, accessible language for diverse audiences. Practical experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) and DevOps methodologies is highly valued, as is exposure to data engineering, machine learning, or AI applications. Prior leadership or mentorship roles further distinguish top applicants.
A master’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a related discipline is highly desirable.
Proven track record working in complex and conflict-affected environments across East and Southern Africa.
Proficient in humanitarian principles, standards, and systems, with a preferred understanding of CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming and standards.
Possesses a proven track record in coaching, mentoring, and facilitating on-the-job training, coupled with a genuine passion for developing others.
Demonstrated proficiency in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Information Management, supported by practical experience and technical competencies.
Proficient in leveraging extensive expertise and specialized competencies to drive organizational success, with a strong emphasis on analytical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning. Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in technical and interpersonal domains, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and regulatory standards. Exhibits advanced proficiency in key areas, including project oversight, stakeholder engagement, and process optimization, while maintaining a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. Requires a minimum of [X] years of relevant experience in [specific field or industry], along with [specific certifications or qualifications], and the ability to adapt to evolving business landscapes.
Applies technical principles and emergency response concepts with demonstrated proficiency. Possesses a broad understanding of interconnected disciplines to foster an integrated, cross-sectoral approach to recovery efforts.
Experienced in implementing and maintaining robust security protocols while effectively managing emergency programs in high-risk environments.
Must possess the capacity to collaborate effectively with local partner organizations.
Proficiency in design prerequisites and compliance standards set forth by key emergency donors, such as the United States Government, the European Union/European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and United Nations agencies, is required.
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, you bring valuable expertise to this role.
With expertise in networking and cultivating relationships with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based civil society partners, you demonstrate a strong command of partnership principles.
Proven ability to cultivate strong relationships, drive consensus, and secure commitment from stakeholders across varied geographical and cultural backgrounds, even without direct authority over them.
Demonstrated capability to uphold high performance standards and cultivate productive working relationships across a variety of cultural settings, as well as within environments that are both psychologically and physically demanding.
Strategic, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities are essential, alongside a robust capacity for systems thinking. The ability to discern the broader context and exercise sound judgment is equally critical.
Exceptional proficiency in both written and verbal communication is required.
Accomplished in delivering impactful presentations, leading interactive sessions, conducting professional training, providing personalized mentorship, and offering expert coaching to support professional development.
Proactive, highly resourceful professionals who consistently deliver measurable results thrive in this dynamic environment.
Languages Required: Proficiency in English is mandatory, with additional fluency in French and Portuguese considered advantageous.
Professional Rewrite:
The position requires the ability and willingness to travel extensively, accounting for up to 50% of the year—approximately six months—with deployments spanning two to eight weeks, contingent upon the specific requirements of the country program. Candidates must demonstrate adaptability to operate effectively in challenging or high-pressure environments and must be prepared to relocate or serve as directed by agency priorities.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
