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, offering 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), this role operates under the supervision of the Regional Focal Point for Emergency Response for ESRO, ensuring the delivery of exceptional emergency response and recovery initiatives that align with CRS’s program quality standards, donor specifications, and established humanitarian best practices.
Handles a variety of essential duties, including overseeing project timelines, coordinating team efforts, and ensuring adherence to company policies. Additionally, the position involves monitoring performance metrics, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing strategic solutions to enhance operational efficiency. Responsibilities also encompass maintaining accurate records, facilitating cross-departmental communication, and supporting leadership in decision-making processes. The role demands strong analytical skills, adaptability to changing priorities, and a commitment to achieving organizational goals through collaborative and results-driven approaches.
Deliver prompt surge support for humanitarian responses to ESRO country programs, ensuring practical program quality and management accompaniment.
Collaborate with country programs to fulfill interim emergency program management and leadership responsibilities, while facilitating the establishment and oversight of emergency field offices, teams, and relief operations as needed during deployments.
Offer tailored technical expertise to country teams, whether on-site or remote, throughout all phases of emergency program planning, initiation, implementation, and closure. Ensure these efforts fully comply with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and industry best practices.
Design and deliver high-caliber project initiatives by integrating established project management principles with robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) methodologies, ensuring alignment with project scope, contextual dynamics, and technical specifications.
Assist in shaping and executing regional/CP strategies, standards, tools, and best practices for Emergency Response and Recovery, ensuring active engagement with partners, donors, and governments. Support the integration of a cross-sectoral approach that prioritizes gender considerations, safe and dignified programming, and disaster risk reduction.
Document lessons learned, promising practices, and response innovations observed during deployments, then compile and distribute this information to the RFP and key HRD and regional stakeholders to facilitate regional knowledge sharing.
Support country-level programs in integrating established program design and implementation standards, partnership principles, and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) methodologies to uphold and enhance the quality of execution.
You will play a key role in advancing capacity-building efforts within Emergency Response and Recovery programs for both staff and partners by collaborating on the design and implementation of learning and training strategies, curricula, and agendas. This includes delivering training sessions and workshops, as well as providing mentorship and coaching to Country Program (CP) staff. Your responsibilities may encompass a range of capacity-strengthening approaches, such as formal and on-the-job training, the development or refinement of operational policies and systems, and partner accompaniment, where appropriate.
Contribute to knowledge management and organizational learning by gathering and analyzing program data, assessing strategic initiatives, helping evaluate program impact, documenting and disseminating lessons learned and best practices, and conducting research and preparing internal reports.
Serve as the representative of CRS and its partners in cluster, donor, and coordination meetings within the field upon request.
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field is required, along with 3+ years of professional experience in [specific domain, e.g., software development, data analysis, or project management]. Proficiency in [list specific tools, languages, or methodologies] is essential, and familiarity with [relevant industry standards or frameworks] is highly desirable. Strong problem-solving abilities, exceptional attention to detail, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment are critical. Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, are necessary to convey complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders. Familiarity with [specific regulations, compliance standards, or best practices] is a plus. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and staying current with emerging technologies and trends in the field.
Basic Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree in international development, disaster response, or an equivalent discipline is mandatory for this position.
A minimum of eight years of progressive international experience in advisory or managerial capacities is required, with a preference for candidates who have worked with international NGOs. Additionally, applicants should possess at least three years of hands-on involvement in programming interventions focused on Emergency Response and Recovery program management.
Proficiency in delivering technical support and crafting competitive proposals for external donor funding is essential.
Proficiency in program monitoring and evaluation is essential, encompassing the application of various data collection tools and methodologies, comprehensive data analysis, and effective data presentation techniques.
Proven track record in business development, project design, and proposal development, particularly within emergency response contexts, coupled with strong technical writing expertise.
Preferred candidates will possess a minimum of three years of relevant experience in a comparable role, ideally within the same industry. Familiarity with industry-specific software, tools, or methodologies is highly advantageous, as is a proven ability to analyze data and generate actionable insights. Exceptional problem-solving skills, strong communication abilities, and a collaborative mindset are essential for success in this position. Additional qualifications may include certifications or specialized training relevant to the field, ensuring alignment with the role’s demands.
A master’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is highly beneficial.
Professional experience within East and Southern Africa’s intricate and conflict-affected environments is required.
Proficiency in humanitarian principles, standards, and systems is required, with a preference for familiarity with CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming and standards.
Passionate about coaching, mentoring, and facilitating on-the-job training, with a proven track record of developing and guiding teams to success.
Possesses a solid foundation in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and robust skills in information management.
Possesses a comprehensive understanding of the required expertise, competencies, and capabilities necessary for the position. Demonstrates proficiency in core areas such as technical aptitude, problem-solving, and effective communication. Exhibits strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment. Maintains a commitment to continuous learning and professional development to stay current with industry advancements. Adapts readily to evolving priorities and challenges while upholding high standards of accuracy and efficiency in all tasks.
Demonstrates proficiency in applying technical principles and concepts within emergency response and recovery operations. Maintains a broad understanding of allied disciplines to facilitate an effective cross-sectoral methodology.
Demonstrates exceptional expertise in implementing and overseeing security protocols and emergency program management within high-risk settings.
Proven capability to collaborate effectively with community-based partner organizations.
Proficient understanding of design requirements and regulations established by key emergency donors, such as the US Government, EU/ECHO, and United Nations agencies, is essential.
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.
With a proven track record in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training, you bring a strong foundation in adult learning principles and practices to drive meaningful development.
With a strong background in networking and cultivating relationships with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based civil society partners, you bring essential experience and skills to the role. Additionally, you demonstrate a solid understanding of partnership principles and best practices.
Proven ability to cultivate strong relationships and effectively engage stakeholders, even those outside direct reporting lines, while securing their support and alignment. Skilled in collaborating across varied geographical and cultural environments with adaptability and cultural sensitivity.
Maintains high performance standards and fosters collaborative working relationships across diverse cultural settings and environments characterized by psychological and physical stress.
Demonstrates exceptional strategic and analytical capabilities, coupled with robust problem-solving expertise and systems thinking, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the broader context while facilitating informed and judicious decision-making.
Exceptional proficiency in both written and verbal communication is required.
Adept at delivering engaging presentations, leading interactive sessions, providing targeted training, offering mentorship, and fostering skill development through coaching.
A highly proactive and resourceful professional with a strong focus on achieving measurable results is sought for this role. The ideal candidate demonstrates an ability to take initiative, adapt to challenges efficiently, and consistently deliver outcomes that align with organizational objectives.
Fluency in English is mandatory, with proficiency in French and Portuguese considered advantageous.
Must demonstrate readiness and flexibility to travel extensively, with up to 50% of the year spent abroad—equating to approximately six months of travel. Deployments typically range from two to eight weeks in length, contingent upon the specific needs of the country program. The ideal candidate will possess the resilience to thrive in challenging and high-pressure environments while remaining adaptable to assignment locations as determined by agency requirements.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
