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 prompt, high-impact program quality, management, and leadership serge assistance to CRS country programs across ESRO during both sudden-onset crises and protracted emergencies. 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 role in strengthening the quality of emergency response and recovery initiatives, ensuring alignment with CRS program quality standards, donor specifications, and established humanitarian best practices.
Performs a diverse range of duties and fulfills essential functional tasks while overseeing key operational activities. Responsible for executing primary functions associated with the position, ensuring adherence to established protocols and standards. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to drive project objectives, monitors progress against benchmarks, and maintains accountability for deliverables. Facilitates communication between departments to align on priorities, troubleshoots challenges proactively, and implements solutions to enhance efficiency. Plays a pivotal role in strategic planning, contributing insights to inform decision-making processes and support organizational goals. Demonstrates expertise in [specific skills or tools] to execute responsibilities with precision and professionalism. Maintains accurate documentation, tracks performance metrics, and reports outcomes to stakeholders as required. Serves as a resource for team members, offering guidance and fostering a collaborative work environment.
Offer swift on-the-ground surge assistance to ESRO country programs amid humanitarian crises, providing hands-on program quality enhancement and operational guidance.
Collaborate with country programs to assume temporary emergency program management and leadership responsibilities, providing support for the establishment and administration of emergency field offices, teams, and relief operations as required during deployments.
Craft tailored technical solutions for both remote and onsite country teams to support emergency program planning, initiation, execution, and completion, ensuring strict adherence to CRS program quality principles, donor requirements, and industry best practices.
Design and deliver high-caliber project frameworks that align with established project management principles and MEAL methodologies, ensuring each initiative is tailored to its specific scope, context, and technical specifications.
You will play a key role in shaping and executing regional and country program strategies, standards, tools, and best practices for Emergency Response and Recovery, fostering strong collaboration with partners, donors, and government entities. Additionally, you will champion a cross-sectoral methodology that prioritizes gender integration, safe and dignified programming, and disaster risk reduction to enhance overall impact.
Document lessons learned, promising practices, and response innovations from deployments and share them with the RFP and relevant HRD and regional stakeholders to enhance regional knowledge sharing.
Support country programs by applying program design and implementation standards, partnership principles, and MEAL approaches to uphold and enhance the quality of execution.
Contribute to capacity-building efforts in Emergency Response and Recovery programming by assisting in the development of learning and training strategies, agendas, and curricula. Conduct training sessions and workshops, and provide mentoring and coaching to CP staff. Capacity-strengthening initiatives may encompass formal and on-the-job training, the creation or refinement of operational policies and systems, and partner accompaniment when appropriate.
You will play a key role in advancing knowledge management and organizational learning by collecting and analyzing program data, assessing strategic initiatives, supporting impact measurement efforts, documenting and disseminating lessons learned and best practices, and producing research and internal reports.
Serve as a representative for CRS and its partners in various meetings, including cluster, donor, and coordination gatherings, as directed.
Seeking a candidate with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, complemented by a minimum of five years of professional experience in software development. Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++ is essential, along with expertise in frameworks like Spring or Django. Strong problem-solving skills and a track record of delivering high-quality solutions are required. Familiarity with database management, cloud computing, and Agile methodologies is highly desirable. Effective communication and collaboration abilities are also necessary to thrive in a team-oriented environment.
Seeking candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of two years of relevant work experience, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently are essential. The role requires excellent communication abilities to interact effectively with team members and stakeholders. Additionally, familiarity with industry-specific software and prior experience in a fast-paced environment are preferred qualifications.
A bachelor’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is mandatory for consideration.
A minimum of eight years of progressive international work experience in advisory or management positions is required, preferably within an international NGO. Additionally, candidates must possess a minimum of three years of hands-on involvement in programming interventions, specifically within Emergency Response and Recovery program management.
Proficiency in delivering technical support and crafting winning proposals for external donor funding is a prerequisite for this role.
Proficiency in program monitoring and evaluation is essential, encompassing the design and implementation of data collection tools, rigorous data analysis, and effective data presentation methodologies.
Proven expertise in business development, project design, and proposal development specifically within emergency response contexts, with strong technical writing capabilities.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; alternatively, a combination of education and relevant experience may be considered. A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in software development, with a focus on Python, Java, or C++. Proficiency in object-oriented design principles and data structures is essential. Experience with cloud platforms, such as AWS or Azure, and containerization tools like Docker and Kubernetes is highly desirable. Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and agile development methodologies is preferred. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment are required.
A Master’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is highly desirable.
Professional experience in intricate or high-conflict environments across East and Southern Africa is required.
Proficiency in humanitarian principles, standards, and systems is required, with a strong preference for expertise in Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming and standards.
Demonstrates a strong background in coaching, mentoring, and hands-on training delivery, coupled with a genuine passion for fostering professional growth and development.
Proficiency in Information and Community Technology (ICT) and Information Management, supported by hands-on experience and applicable technical skills.
We are seeking a candidate with a comprehensive understanding of key knowledge areas, specialized skills, and proven abilities to excel in this role. The ideal applicant must demonstrate expertise in relevant fields, possess strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, and exhibit exceptional communication and organizational skills. Additionally, proficiency in specific tools, technologies, or methodologies is required, along with the ability to adapt to evolving challenges and priorities. The position demands meticulous attention to detail, a commitment to continuous improvement, and the capacity to collaborate effectively within a team-oriented environment.
Demonstrates practical application of technical principles and concepts within Emergency Response and Recovery initiatives. Maintains a broad understanding of related disciplines to facilitate an effective cross-sectoral approach.
Proven expertise in implementing and overseeing security protocols, coupled with adept management of emergency response initiatives in high-risk settings.
Proven capability to collaborate effectively with local partner organizations.
Proficiency in the design requirements and regulatory frameworks set forth by prominent emergency donors, such as the US Government, EU/ECHO, and UN agencies, is essential.
Skilled in utilizing Microsoft Office Suite (including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint), web conferencing tools, information and budget management systems, and knowledge-sharing platforms.
With a proven track record in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training, you will leverage adult learning principles and methodologies to drive effective development outcomes.
Established expertise in networking and cultivating relationships with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based civil society partners is required. Proficiency in partnership principles and frameworks is also essential.
Proven ability to cultivate strong interpersonal relationships, persuasively engage stakeholders, and secure consensus from individuals outside direct reporting lines, demonstrating adaptability across varied geographic and cultural environments.
Demonstrates adaptability and resilience while upholding high performance standards and fostering robust professional relationships within varied cultural settings and under psychologically and physically demanding conditions.
Proven strategic acumen, analytical strength, and problem-solving expertise, coupled with advanced systems thinking capabilities, empowering a comprehensive view of challenges and enabling informed, judicious decision-making.
Exceptional proficiency in both written and verbal communication is required.
Proven expertise in delivering engaging presentations, leading effective facilitation sessions, providing comprehensive training, offering insightful mentoring, and delivering impactful coaching.
Results-driven, highly motivated, and proactive professional sought to contribute to our organization’s success. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to achieving measurable outcomes. Seeking an individual who is adaptable, resourceful, and eager to take initiative in driving projects forward.
English fluency is mandatory, with proficiency in French and Portuguese considered advantageous.
Must demonstrate willingness and ability to travel up to 50% of the year, equivalent to approximately six months, with deployments typically ranging from two to eight weeks based on the requirements of the country program. Capable of living and working in challenging or high-pressure environments while fulfilling assignments wherever agency priorities demand.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
