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 swift, expert program quality, management, and leadership serge support to CRS country programs within ESRO during both sudden-onset and protracted crises. Positioned within HRD’s Emergency Program Response Team (EPR) and supervised by the Regional Focal Point for Emergency Response for ESRO, this role plays a pivotal part in strengthening high-caliber emergency response and recovery initiatives, aligning them with CRS program quality standards, donor mandates, and established humanitarian best practices.
The successful candidate will be responsible for fulfilling various key duties and functions within the organization. This includes overseeing projects from inception to completion, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget constraints. Additionally, they will manage a team of professionals, fostering collaboration and driving productivity. The role requires strong communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to adapt to changing priorities and demands. Furthermore, the individual will be expected to analyze data, identify trends, and make strategic recommendations to senior management.
Offer swift-deploying surge assistance to ESRO country programs amid humanitarian crises, providing hands-on guidance in program quality enhancement and management oversight.
Collaborate with country programs to assume temporary emergency program management and leadership responsibilities, facilitating the establishment and oversight of emergency field offices, teams, and relief operations as required during field deployments.
Deliver tailored technical solutions to both remote and onsite country teams to support emergency program planning, start-up, implementation, and close-out phases, in strict accordance with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and established best practices.
Deliver exceptional project design by applying established project management standards and robust MEAL methodologies, ensuring alignment with project scope, context, and technical specifications.
Develop and execute regional/CP strategies, standards, tools, and best practices for Emergency Response and Recovery, fostering effective collaboration with partners, donors, and governments. Ensure a cross-sectoral approach that incorporates gender considerations, safe and dignified programming, and disaster risk reduction.
Document lessons learned, promising practices, and response innovations from deployments, and ensure these insights are documented and shared with the RFP and relevant HRD and regional stakeholders to facilitate regional knowledge sharing.
Support country programs in applying established program design and implementation standards, partnership principles, and MEAL approaches to uphold the highest standards of execution.
You will play a key role in enhancing the capabilities of staff and partners within Emergency Response and Recovery programs by designing and implementing learning and training strategies, as well as developing agendas and curricula. Additionally, you will facilitate trainings and workshops, and provide mentoring and coaching to Community Protection staff. Your responsibilities may also involve applying capacity strengthening methods such as formal and on-the-job training, refining operational policies and systems, and offering partner support through accompaniment when necessary.
Contribute to knowledge management and organizational learning by gathering and analyzing program data, assessing strategic initiatives, supporting impact measurement efforts, documenting and disseminating lessons learned and best practices, and conducting research to produce internal reports.
Represent Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and its partners in field-based cluster, donor, and coordination meetings as needed.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field is required for this role. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++ is essential, along with experience in software development, system analysis, or database management. Strong problem-solving abilities and analytical skills are necessary to troubleshoot technical issues and optimize performance. Familiarity with cloud platforms, DevOps practices, and agile methodologies is a significant advantage. Additionally, excellent communication skills are needed to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
We are seeking a highly motivated professional with a proven track record in [specific field or industry], backed by a minimum of [X years] of relevant experience. The ideal candidate must hold a [specific degree or certification], along with expertise in [key skill or tool]. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities are essential, as the role involves [briefly describe key responsibilities or tasks]. Proficiency in [specific software, language, or methodology] is required, and familiarity with [related industry standards or regulations] is a plus. The successful applicant will collaborate with cross-functional teams to [mention a major goal or project], ensuring adherence to [specified quality or performance standards].
A bachelor’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is required.
Requires at least eight years of progressive international advisory or management experience, preferably gained within an international NGO, including no less than three years dedicated to Emergency Response and Recovery program management interventions.
Prior experience in delivering technical support and crafting successful proposals for external donor funding is essential.
Skilled in program monitoring and evaluation, with proficiency in utilizing data collection tools and methodologies, performing data analysis, and presenting data effectively.
Seasoned professionals with a proven track record in business development, project design, and proposal creation—particularly within emergency response contexts—are encouraged to apply. Strong technical writing skills are essential for this role.
Preferred Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Engineering, or related disciplines, coupled with at least three years of experience in software development. Proficiency in programming languages like Python, Java, or C++ is essential, along with familiarity with frameworks such as Django, Spring Boot, or .NET. Candidates should demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and the capacity to work effectively in a collaborative team environment. A solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and software design principles is highly desirable. Experience with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, as well as DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines, will be considered a significant advantage. Furthermore, knowledge of databases including SQL and NoSQL, along with expertise in API development and integration, is preferred.
A Master’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a closely related discipline is highly desirable.
Demonstrated expertise in operating within intricate and conflict-ridden environments across East and Southern Africa is essential.
Proficiency in humanitarian principles, standards, and frameworks—particularly those of CRS and Caritas Internationalis—along with expertise in emergency programming and associated standards is advantageous.
You must possess a strong background and genuine passion for coaching, mentoring, and facilitating hands-on job training.
Skilled in Information and Community Technology (ICT) and Information Management, with a strong foundation in practical applications and technical competencies.
Demonstrates expertise in key competencies including specialized technical, industry-specific, or operational skills essential for the role. Combines strong analytical thinking with effective communication to solve complex problems and convey insights. Exhibits adaptability in dynamic environments, continuously learning and leveraging new tools or methodologies to enhance performance. Maintains a commitment to professional development and upholds ethical standards in all professional interactions. Exhibits leadership qualities, whether through direct team management or collaborative project contributions, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
Demonstrates proficiency in applying technical principles and concepts within Emergency Response and Recovery operations. Maintains a broad understanding of related disciplines to facilitate a cohesive, cross-sectoral strategy.
Demonstrates exceptional expertise in implementing and overseeing security protocols and emergency program initiatives within high-risk or unstable settings.
Skilled in collaborating effectively with local partner organizations to enhance project outcomes and foster community engagement.
Proficiency in design requirements and regulatory frameworks of key emergency donors, such as the United States 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 tools, financial and budgetary platforms, and collaborative knowledge-sharing systems.
Proven expertise in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training, grounded in adult learning principles and methodologies.
Skilled in cultivating and maintaining relationships with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based civil society partners, with a strong background in networking. Demonstrated understanding of key partnership principles and best practices.
Demonstrates exceptional relationship-building capabilities, adept at influencing and securing buy-in from stakeholders outside direct reporting lines while collaborating effectively with individuals across varied geographical and cultural backgrounds.
Demonstrates resilience and adaptability by consistently meeting performance standards while fostering positive working relationships across varied cultural settings and under demanding psychological and physical conditions.
Proven strategic, analytical, and problem-solving abilities, coupled with advanced systems thinking to effectively assess broader contexts and deliver well-reasoned decisions.
Exceptional proficiency in both written and verbal communication is required.
Demonstrates exceptional abilities in delivering compelling presentations, leading engaging training sessions, and providing effective mentoring and coaching to teams and individuals.
Proactive, resourceful, and committed to delivering measurable results, the ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic environment while demonstrating strong initiative and adaptability. This individual will bring a solution-focused mindset, leveraging both creativity and analytical skills to overcome challenges efficiently. With a proven track record of meeting or exceeding performance objectives, they will consistently prioritize tasks to maximize productivity and contribute to organizational success. Strong problem-solving abilities and a dedication to continuous improvement will be essential to excel in this role.
Required Languages: Proficiency in English is mandatory, while knowledge of French and Portuguese is advantageous.
Must be prepared for extensive travel, with up to 50% of the year spent on assignments—approximately six months—where deployments typically range from two to eight weeks based on the specific requirements of each country program. Demonstrates adaptability to thrive in challenging or high-pressure environments and remains flexible to relocate as organizational priorities demand.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
