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, 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) and reporting to the Regional Focal Point for Emergency Response for ESRO, this role plays a pivotal part in strengthening the quality and effectiveness of emergency response and recovery initiatives, ensuring alignment with CRS program quality standards, donor specifications, and established humanitarian best practices.
The primary roles encompass overseeing key operational functions, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives while maintaining high standards of performance. Key responsibilities involve developing and implementing policies, managing cross-functional teams, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and productivity. Additionally, the position requires fostering collaboration across departments, monitoring progress against KPIs, and providing leadership to achieve organizational goals. Strong analytical and decision-making skills are essential, along with the ability to adapt to evolving business needs and industry trends.
Offer immediate surge support for humanitarian responses in ESRO country programs, ensuring high-quality program implementation and effective management guidance.
Partner with country programs to deliver interim emergency program management and leadership, facilitating the establishment and oversight of emergency field offices, teams, and relief operations as required during deployments.
Deliver tailored technical solutions to country teams, whether operating remotely or on-site, to support emergency program planning, initiation, execution, and closure, while ensuring full alignment with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor specifications, and established best practices.
Design and deliver high-caliber project frameworks that adhere to established project management principles and MEAL methodologies, ensuring alignment with project scope, contextual factors, and technical specifications.
Play a key role in shaping and executing regional and country program strategies, standards, tools, and best practices for Emergency Response and Recovery, designed to actively involve partners, donors, and governments. Facilitate a comprehensive, cross-sectoral approach that embeds gender considerations, promotes safe and dignified programming, and strengthens disaster risk reduction initiatives.
Document lessons learned, promising practices, and innovative responses from deployments to enhance regional knowledge sharing, ensuring this information is captured and disseminated to the RFP team as well as key HRD and regional stakeholders.
Collaborate with country programs to integrate and apply established standards in program design and implementation, partnership principles, and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) methodologies, thereby ensuring the delivery of high-quality initiatives.
You will play a key role in enhancing the capabilities of staff and partners within Emergency Response and Recovery initiatives by collaborating on the design of learning and training strategies, as well as curricula and agendas. This involves delivering trainings and workshops, and providing mentorship and coaching to Country Program (CP) staff. Capacity-strengthening efforts may encompass formal and on-the-job training, the creation or refinement of operational policies and systems, and partner accompaniment, among other relevant approaches.
Contribute to 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, and conducting research to produce internal reports.
Represent CRS and its partners in field-based cluster, donor, and coordination meetings as needed.
Seeking a candidate with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field, complemented by at least three years of progressive experience in financial analysis, budgeting, or corporate finance. The ideal applicant will possess strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, exceptional proficiency in Microsoft Excel, and the capacity to interpret complex financial data. Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for collaboration with stakeholders and presenting findings. Additionally, experience with financial software or ERP systems and a CPA or CFA certification is highly desirable.
Basic Requirements for Consideration
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field or possess equivalent professional experience. A minimum of three years of relevant work experience is required, along with proficiency in industry-standard software tools. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential, along with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Excellent communication and organizational abilities are necessary to effectively manage multiple priorities and deadlines. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth to adapt to evolving industry trends and challenges.
A bachelor’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is mandatory for this role.
A minimum of eight years of progressive international advisory or management experience is required, preferably gained within an international NGO, with at least three of those years dedicated to Emergency Response and Recovery program management.
Experience in delivering technical support and crafting successful proposals for external donor funding is essential.
Proficiency in program monitoring and evaluation is essential, encompassing the implementation of data collection instruments and methodologies, thorough data analysis, and the effective presentation of findings.
Proven expertise in business development, project design, and proposal development within emergency response contexts, coupled with strong technical writing capabilities.
Preferred Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as Computer Science, Engineering, or Mathematics, or equivalent practical experience. Candidates should possess 3–5 years of professional experience in software development, with proficiency in programming languages like Python, Java, or C++. Familiarity with cloud platforms, such as AWS or Azure, and experience with agile methodologies are highly desirable. Strong problem-solving skills, excellent communication abilities, and a collaborative mindset are essential for success in this role.
A master’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is preferred.
Proficiency in navigating intricate and conflict-laden environments within East and Southern Africa is essential.
Proficiency in humanitarian principles, standards, and systems is essential, with a preference for familiarity with CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming and standards.
Demonstrates a strong aptitude for coaching, mentoring, and delivering on-the-job training, combined with a genuine passion for these activities.
Proficiency in Information and Community Technology (ICT) and Information Management is essential, requiring hands-on experience and technical expertise.
We seek a candidate with a robust understanding of key principles and methodologies relevant to the role, along with the technical and interpersonal competencies needed to excel. The ideal applicant will demonstrate proficiency in specific tools, techniques, or systems, coupled with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for collaborating effectively with teams and stakeholders. Additionally, the ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing circumstances, and maintain a results-driven approach is highly valued. A commitment to continuous learning and professional development is also required to stay current in the field.
Technical principles and concepts in Emergency Response and Recovery have been effectively applied, supported by a broad understanding of related disciplines to facilitate a comprehensive cross-sectoral approach.
Proven expertise in implementing and overseeing security protocols, coupled with adept management of emergency programs in high-risk environments.
Proven capability to collaborate effectively with regional partner organizations.
Proficiency in the design requirements and regulatory frameworks established by key emergency donors, such as the US Government, the European Union/European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and United Nations agencies, is essential.
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as web conferencing applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge-sharing networks.
Possesses a proven track record in mentoring, coaching, facilitating, and delivering training programs grounded in adult learning methodologies and best practices.
Proficiency in networking and cultivating relationships with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based civil society partners is required. Familiarity with partnership principles is also necessary.
Demonstrates exceptional relationship-building capabilities, effectively influencing and securing commitment from stakeholders beyond direct reporting lines, while collaborating seamlessly with individuals across varied geographical and cultural contexts.
Demonstrates the capacity to uphold high performance standards while fostering productive working relationships across varied cultural settings, even under significant psychological and physical strain.
Demonstrates exceptional strategic and analytical capabilities, along with robust problem-solving and systems thinking expertise, enabling a comprehensive perspective of complex challenges and informed decision-making.
Proficient in both written and verbal communication is essential.
Dynamic professionals with exceptional capabilities in delivering impactful presentations, leading engaging facilitation sessions, conducting effective training programs, providing insightful mentorship, and offering strategic coaching.
Proactive, self-driven, and committed to achieving tangible outcomes, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong ability to identify opportunities and implement effective solutions. Resourcefulness and a results-focused mindset will be essential for addressing challenges and driving project success. Exceptional organizational skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving will ensure efficient task completion and continuous improvement in performance.
Proficiency in English is mandatory; fluency in French and Portuguese is advantageous.
Must be prepared to undertake travel commitments requiring up to 50% of the year (approximately six months), with deployments typically lasting between two and eight weeks, contingent upon the requirements of the assigned country program. Should possess the adaptability to reside and operate in challenging and high-pressure environments while fulfilling assignments as determined by organizational needs.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
