Job Summary
The Technical Advisor II – Emergency Response and Recovery Surge Support for East and Southern Africa (ESRO) serves as a hands-on emergency response specialist, delivering immediate program quality, management, and leadership serge assistance to CRS country programs in ESRO during both sudden-onset and prolonged crises. This position operates within HRD’s Emergency Program Response Team (EPR) and is accountable to the Regional Focal Point for Emergency Response for ESRO, ensuring high-caliber emergency response and recovery initiatives align with CRS program quality standards, donor mandates, and established humanitarian protocols.
We are seeking a dedicated professional to join our team, responsible for a range of critical duties and key performance areas. The ideal candidate will be tasked with overseeing daily operations, ensuring compliance with established protocols, and driving efficiency across assigned functions. Additionally, they will collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals, analyze performance metrics to identify opportunities for improvement, and implement strategic initiatives to enhance productivity. Strong leadership, analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment are essential for success in this role.
Offer swift, surge-capacity assistance to ESRO country programs amid humanitarian crises, ensuring hands-on program quality enhancement and specialized management guidance.
Collaborate with country programs to assume temporary emergency program management and leadership responsibilities, and facilitate the establishment and administration of emergency field offices, teams, and relief operations as needed during deployments.
Deliver tailored technical solutions to both remote and onsite country teams throughout the lifecycle of emergency programs—from planning and start-up through implementation and close-out—while ensuring full adherence to CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and industry best practices.
Deliver top-tier project design by integrating established project management standards with robust MEAL methodologies, ensuring alignment with project scope, contextual factors, and technical specifications.
Assist in formulating and executing regional and country program (CP) strategies, standards, tools, and best practices for Emergency Response and Recovery, ensuring meaningful engagement with partners, donors, and governments. Support the integration of a cross-sectoral approach that incorporates gender considerations, safe and dignified programming, and disaster risk reduction measures.
Facilitate the exchange of regional insights by compiling documented lessons learned, emerging best practices, and innovative response strategies derived from field deployments, then disseminating this information to the RFP and key HRD and regional stakeholders.
Provide technical assistance to country programs to integrate program design and implementation standards, partnership principles, and MEAL methodologies, thereby ensuring the delivery of high-caliber initiatives.
Support capacity-building efforts in Emergency Response and Recovery initiatives by collaborating on the design and implementation of learning and training strategies, agendas, and curricula for staff and partners. Facilitate trainings and workshops while providing mentorship and coaching to CP personnel, as well as developing and refining operational policies and systems. Employ a range of capacity-strengthening approaches, such as formal training sessions, on-the-job learning opportunities, and partner accompaniment, ensuring alignment with organizational needs and objectives.
By leveraging program data, you will play a pivotal role in enhancing knowledge management and fostering organizational learning. This includes conducting thorough analyses of strategic initiatives, assessing program outcomes, documenting lessons learned, and disseminating best practices. Additionally, your responsibilities will encompass conducting research, compiling internal reports, and contributing to the measurement of program impact to drive continuous improvement.
As an authorized representative of CRS and its partners, you will participate in cluster, donor, and coordination meetings in the field when required.
Seeking a candidate with a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, backed by at least three years of hands-on experience in the industry. Proficiency in [specific software/tools] is essential, along with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. The ideal applicant should demonstrate excellent communication skills and the capacity to manage multiple priorities efficiently. Responsibilities include overseeing project timelines, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring adherence to quality standards. Familiarity with [industry-specific regulations/standards] is highly preferred.
Basic Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is mandatory.
With at least eight years of progressive international experience in advisory or managerial positions—preferably within an international NGO—candidates should possess a minimum of three years dedicated to emergency response and recovery program management.
Proficiency in delivering technical support and crafting competitive proposals for external donor funding is essential.
Applicants should possess hands-on experience in program monitoring and evaluation, involving the implementation of data collection tools and methodologies, conducting comprehensive data analysis, and effectively presenting data insights.
Professional with a proven track record in business development, emergency response project design, and proposal development, complemented by strong technical writing skills.
Preferred Qualifications include a minimum of five years of progressive experience in a related field, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a closely aligned discipline. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in financial modeling, data analysis, and strategic planning, supported by strong interpersonal and communication skills. Familiarity with industry-specific software and tools, as well as prior leadership or project management experience, is highly desirable. Additionally, the ideal applicant will exhibit a proven ability to drive innovation, optimize processes, and deliver measurable results in a dynamic work environment.
A Master’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is highly desirable.
Professional experience in complex or conflict-affected environments within East and Southern Africa is required.
Proficiency in humanitarian principles, standards, and systems—particularly within CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency frameworks—is highly advantageous. Familiarity with their programming and operational standards is a valuable asset for this role.
Demonstrates a strong aptitude for and commitment to coaching, mentoring, and facilitating hands-on job training.
Proficient in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Information Management, with hands-on experience and technical expertise in these domains.
The candidate must possess a comprehensive understanding of the subject, coupled with proficiency in relevant techniques and methodologies. Essential qualifications include a strong command of analytical abilities, exceptional communication skills, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively within a team. Additionally, the ideal applicant will demonstrate adaptability to evolving priorities, a commitment to professional development, and the ability to meet deadlines in a high-pressure environment.
Demonstrated expertise in applying technical principles and concepts within Emergency Response and Recovery frameworks. Possesses a broad understanding of related disciplines to facilitate a cohesive cross-sectoral approach.
Highly skilled in implementing and maintaining security protocols and managing emergency programs in high-risk environments.
Proven capability to collaborate effectively with regional partner organizations is essential.
Proficiency in design requirements and regulations set forth by prominent emergency donors, such as the US Government, EU/ECHO, and UN agencies, is required.
Skilled in utilizing Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as web conferencing tools, information and budget management systems, and knowledge-sharing platforms.
Skilled in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training, with a strong foundation in adult learning principles and methodologies.
With a proven track record in cultivating networks and fostering relationships with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based civil society partners, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong grasp of partnership principles and best practices.
Excellent interpersonal skills, enabling the ability to influence and secure buy-in from stakeholders beyond direct reporting lines, while collaborating effectively with individuals across varied geographical and cultural contexts.
Proven capability to meet performance standards and foster strong working relationships across varied cultural settings, even in contexts marked by psychological and physical stress.
Demonstrates exceptional strategic and analytical capabilities, coupled with advanced problem-solving and systems thinking proficiencies, enabling a comprehensive perspective on challenges and the capacity to arrive at well-reasoned decisions.
Proficient in both written and verbal communication, with the ability to articulate ideas clearly and effectively.
Exceptional aptitude in presenting, facilitating, conducting training sessions, providing mentorship, and delivering coaching is required.
A highly proactive, resourceful, and results-driven individual who thrives in dynamic environments while consistently delivering measurable outcomes.
English proficiency is mandatory. Proficiency in French and Portuguese is advantageous.
Must possess the flexibility to undertake travel obligations, accounting for up to 50% of the year—approximately six months—with individual deployments ranging from two to eight weeks, contingent upon the requirements of the country program. Requires the ability to thrive in challenging and high-pressure environments while providing support wherever organizational needs arise.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
