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 deployment program quality, management, and leadership serge support to CRS country programs across ESRO during both sudden-onset and protracted emergencies. Positioned within HRD’s Emergency Program Response Team (EPR), this role reports to the Regional Focal Point for Emergency Response for ESRO, ensuring the delivery of high-quality emergency response and recovery programming in alignment with CRS program quality principles, donor specifications, and established humanitarian best practices.
We are seeking a dynamic professional to fulfill this role, which encompasses a diverse set of responsibilities crucial to our operations. The successful candidate will be tasked with overseeing key projects, ensuring adherence to established protocols, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve organizational objectives. Additionally, they will be responsible for analyzing performance metrics, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing strategic initiatives to drive efficiency and growth. Strong leadership, analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment are essential for this position. Proficiency in relevant software tools and a commitment to continuous professional development are also required.
Offer immediate surge assistance to ESRO country programs amid humanitarian crises, ensuring high-quality, practical program implementation and management guidance.
You will collaborate with country programs to assume temporary emergency program management and leadership responsibilities, offering support for establishing and overseeing emergency field offices, teams, and relief operations as required during deployments.
Deliver technical assistance to both remote and onsite country teams to address emergency program planning, initiation, execution, and completion needs, while maintaining strict adherence to CRS program quality principles, donor requirements, and established best practices.
Lead project design initiatives with a strong emphasis on quality, adhering to established project management standards and integrating robust MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) methodologies. Ensure designs align meticulously with project scope, contextual considerations, and technical specifications to achieve optimal outcomes.
You will play a key role in shaping 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. Additionally, you will foster a cross-sectoral approach that embeds critical considerations such as gender equality, safe and dignified programming, and disaster risk reduction.
Document lessons learned, promising practices, and innovative response strategies derived from deployments, and ensure this information is systematically recorded and shared with the RFP, HRD, and other relevant regional stakeholders to enhance knowledge exchange across the region.
Support country-level initiatives by facilitating the application of program design and implementation standards, partnership principles, and MEAL approaches, thereby ensuring robust and high-quality execution across all activities.
Support capacity-building efforts in Emergency Response and Recovery initiatives by collaborating with staff and partners to design learning and training frameworks, agendas, and curricula, facilitate training sessions and workshops, and provide mentorship and coaching to country program staff. These initiatives may incorporate a range of capacity-strengthening methods, including structured and hands-on training, the revision or optimization of operational policies and systems, and partner accompaniment, as applicable.
You will play a key role in advancing knowledge management and organizational learning by gathering and analyzing program data, assessing the effectiveness of strategic initiatives, and helping to quantify program impact. Additionally, you will document and disseminate valuable lessons learned and best practices, while conducting targeted research and preparing internal reports to support data-driven decision-making.
Represent CRS and its partners in field-based cluster, donor, and coordination meetings as needed.
Seeking an experienced professional with a proven track record in leading teams and driving results. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field, along with at least five years of progressive management experience in a corporate setting. Strong analytical skills, proficiency in financial modeling, and exceptional communication abilities are required. The role demands expertise in strategic planning, budget management, and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on delivering measurable outcomes. The successful applicant will exhibit leadership qualities, adaptability to change, and a commitment to fostering a collaborative work environment.
A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent is required for consideration. At least two years of relevant work experience in a similar role is necessary. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, is essential. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are crucial. The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team is required. Attention to detail and organizational skills are highly valued.
A bachelor’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is essential.
A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible international advisory or management experience is required, with at least three years dedicated to programming interventions within Emergency Response and Recovery program management. Ideally, this experience will have been gained within an international NGO setting.
Proficiency in delivering technical support and crafting high-impact proposals for external donor funding is a prerequisite for this position.
Proficiency in program monitoring and evaluation, encompassing the use of data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and the presentation of findings.
With a solid background in business development, you have designed and crafted proposals for emergency response initiatives, demonstrating proficiency in technical writing.
Preferred Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Proficiency in Python, Java, or C++ is required, along with familiarity with data structures and algorithms. Experience with machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch is a plus. Candidates should have a strong understanding of software engineering principles and the ability to write clean, efficient code. Knowledge of cloud platforms such as AWS or Google Cloud is preferred.
A master’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is highly desirable.
Proven expertise in navigating complex and conflict-affected environments across East and Southern Africa is required.
Proficiency in humanitarian principles, standards, and systems is essential, with a preference for familiarity with CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming and standards.
Enthusiastic about coaching, mentoring, and delivering on-the-job training, with proven experience in these areas.
Proficiency in Information and Community Technology (ICT) and Information Management, along with hands-on experience in their application, is required.
Seeking a candidate with a strong foundation in relevant expertise, proven technical proficiencies, and demonstrated problem-solving capabilities to fulfill the role’s demands. The ideal applicant must possess the necessary qualifications, including educational credentials, professional certifications, or equivalent experience, to ensure alignment with the position’s requirements. Responsibilities will include applying specialized skills to execute tasks efficiently, collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve objectives, and maintaining a commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.
Demonstrates proficiency in applying technical principles and concepts to emergency response and recovery operations. Possesses a comprehensive understanding of related disciplines to facilitate effective cross-sectoral coordination and collaboration.
Highly skilled in implementing and overseeing security protocols, with extensive experience in managing emergency response programs in high-risk settings.
Must demonstrate the capacity to collaborate effectively with local partner organizations.
Proficient in adhering to design requirements and regulatory standards set forth by prominent emergency donors, such as the US Government, EU/ECHO, and United Nations agencies.
Skilled in utilizing Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as web conferencing platforms, budget and information management systems, and knowledge-sharing networks.
With a proven track record in mentoring, coaching, facilitating, and training, you will apply adult learning principles and practices to drive impactful development outcomes.
Proven expertise in cultivating networks and maintaining strong relationships with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based civil society partners. Demonstrated proficiency in partnership frameworks and collaborative principles.
Demonstrates exceptional relationship-building abilities, enabling effective persuasion and consensus-building among stakeholders across various teams and locations, including diverse cultural and geographical backgrounds.
Proven capability to uphold high performance standards and foster effective professional relationships across diverse cultural settings, even in environments marked by psychological and physical strain.
Possesses exceptional strategic and analytical abilities, coupled with robust problem-solving and systems thinking skills, enabling a comprehensive perspective and informed decision-making.
Individuals should possess refined written and verbal communication abilities to effectively convey ideas and information.
Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in delivering presentations, facilitating discussions, providing training, mentoring individuals, and coaching teams to achieve desired outcomes.
Results-driven, solution-focused, and proactive professional sought to drive impactful outcomes through resourceful problem-solving and a strong emphasis on measurable results.
Fluency in English is required, with proficiency in French and Portuguese considered an asset.
Must demonstrate flexibility to undertake extensive travel, with the capacity for up to 50% annual travel—equivalent to approximately six months per year. Deployment durations typically range from two to eight weeks, varying based on the specific requirements of the country program. Proven ability to thrive in demanding and high-pressure environments is essential, along with the willingness to relocate and serve wherever organizational needs arise.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
