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 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 reports to the Regional Focal Point for Emergency Response in ESRO, ensuring high-caliber emergency response and recovery initiatives align with CRS program quality standards, donor mandates, and established humanitarian best practices.
The position involves a variety of essential duties and primary accountabilities, encompassing key tasks critical to the role’s success. Responsibilities include performing core functions, managing specific operations, and ensuring adherence to established protocols. The role demands a proactive approach to problem-solving, maintaining high standards of accuracy, and contributing effectively to team objectives. Additionally, the position requires meeting outlined performance metrics, collaborating across departments, and supporting organizational goals through diligent execution of assigned duties.
Offer expeditious deployment serge assistance to ESRO country programs amid humanitarian crises, ensuring robust program quality and effective management guidance.
Collaborate with country programs to assume temporary leadership roles in emergency program management, providing support for the establishment and administration of emergency field offices, teams, and relief operations as required during deployments.
Deliver tailored technical solutions to both remote and onsite country teams throughout the lifecycle of emergency programs—from planning and start-up to implementation and close-out—while ensuring full alignment with CRS program quality principles, donor regulations, and industry best practices.
Deliver exceptional project designs by integrating established project management standards with robust MEAL methodologies, ensuring alignment with project scope, contextual factors, and technical specifications.
Collaborate on the formulation and execution of regional and country program 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.
Document and disseminate regional insights by capturing key lessons learned, emerging best practices, and innovative response strategies from field deployments, then sharing these findings with the RFP and key HRD and regional stakeholders to enhance collective understanding and drive continuous improvement.
Support country programs in adhering to established standards for program design and execution, incorporating robust partnership principles and MEAL methodologies to uphold implementation excellence.
You will play a key role in enhancing the capabilities of staff and partners through participation in Emergency Response and Recovery initiatives, focusing on the design of learning and training frameworks, agendas, and curricula. Additionally, you will deliver training sessions and workshops while providing mentorship and coaching to Community Protection staff, fostering professional growth and skill development. These capacity-strengthening efforts may encompass a range of methodologies, including structured and hands-on training, the establishment or refinement of operational policies and systems, and targeted partner accompaniment, as deemed appropriate.
Facilitate knowledge management and organizational learning by gathering and analyzing program data, assessing strategic initiatives, supporting the evaluation of program impact, documenting and disseminating lessons learned and best practices, and conducting research to produce internal reports.
As assigned, serve as CRS’s representative alongside partners during cluster, donor, and coordination meetings in the field.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is required, along with a minimum of five years of experience in software development, preferably within a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++ is essential, along with expertise in software design, testing methodologies, and debugging techniques. Strong problem-solving abilities and excellent communication skills are also mandatory. Candidates should demonstrate a track record of delivering high-quality solutions and working effectively in cross-functional teams.
Seeking candidates who meet the following primary qualifications: a minimum of five years of hands-on experience in a related field, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, proficiency in industry-standard software tools, and the ability to work independently while meeting strict deadlines. Strong analytical skills, exceptional communication abilities, and a commitment to continuous learning are essential. Prior experience in project management or leadership roles is highly desirable.
A bachelor’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is required.
A minimum of eight years of progressive, relevant international work experience in advisory or management positions is required, preferably within an international NGO, including at least three years dedicated to programming interventions in Emergency Response and Recovery program management.
Proficiency in delivering technical support and crafting winning proposals for external donor funding is essential.
Experience in program monitoring and evaluation, encompassing the application of data collection tools and methodologies, along with data analysis and presentation, is required.
Proficiency in business development, project design, and proposal development for emergency response initiatives, with a strong command of technical writing.
Preferred Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is highly desirable. Relevant certifications, such as AWS, Azure, or PMP, are advantageous. Prior experience in Agile methodologies, DevOps practices, or cloud infrastructure is preferred. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities are essential. Familiarity with programming languages like Python, Java, or JavaScript is beneficial. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are required to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Experience in project management or leadership roles is a plus.
A master’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a related discipline is advantageous.
Proven expertise in navigating complex and conflict-affected environments within East and Southern Africa is essential.
Proficiency in humanitarian principles, standards, and systems is essential, with a strong preference for expertise in CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming and standards.
Demonstrates a strong passion for coaching, mentoring, and facilitating on-the-job training initiatives.
Proficiency in Information and Community Technology (ICT) and Information Management is required.
Demonstrated expertise and qualifications necessary for successful performance in this role include a comprehensive understanding of the required field, proficiency in pertinent methodologies, and the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. Essential competencies encompass strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, along with adaptability to evolving challenges. Additionally, familiarity with industry-specific tools, software, or regulations may be required, depending on the position.
Demonstrates proficiency in applying technical principles and concepts to Emergency Response and Recovery efforts, supported by a broad understanding of related disciplines to facilitate effective cross-sectoral coordination.
Expertise in implementing and maintaining robust security protocols, along with the administration of emergency response programs in high-risk environments, is essential.
Proven capability to collaborate effectively with community-based partner organizations.
Proficiency in design requirements and regulatory standards set forth 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 required.
Skilled in utilizing Microsoft Office Suite—including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint—as well as web conferencing platforms, budget and information management systems, and knowledge-sharing networks.
Skilled in guiding, advising, and instructing others through mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training initiatives grounded in adult learning methodologies and best practices.
Proven expertise in cultivating networks and fostering relationships with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based civil society partners, coupled with a solid grasp of partnership principles.
Exceptional interpersonal skills are required, with a demonstrated ability to foster strong connections, persuade stakeholders, and secure commitment from individuals beyond one’s direct reporting line, while collaborating effectively across varied geographic and cultural environments.
Proven capability to uphold performance standards and foster effective working relationships amid diverse cultural settings and high-pressure environments, both psychologically and physically demanding.
Possesses robust strategic, analytical, and problem-solving abilities, supported by strong systems thinking to effectively assess the broader context and arrive at well-reasoned decisions.
Effective written and verbal communication abilities are essential for this role.
Exceptional proficiency in delivering presentations, facilitating meetings, and conducting training sessions is required. Additionally, the role demands a high level of expertise in mentoring and coaching individuals to foster professional growth and development.
Results-driven, self-motivated, and solution-oriented professional with a strong focus on achieving tangible outcomes.
English fluency is mandatory. Proficiency in French and Portuguese is advantageous.
Must possess the flexibility to travel extensively—up to 50% of the year (approximately six months)—with deployments typically lasting between two and eight weeks, contingent upon the specific requirements of the country program. Demonstrated ability to thrive in challenging and high-pressure environments is essential, along with a willingness to relocate as dictated by the agency’s operational needs.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
