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 immediate deployment program quality, management, and leadership serge assistance to CRS country programs within 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 for ESRO and plays a pivotal role in advancing high-quality emergency response and recovery initiatives aligned with CRS program quality standards, donor mandates, and recognized humanitarian best practices.
We are seeking a highly motivated individual to take on a dynamic role with diverse responsibilities. The selected candidate will be responsible for overseeing key operational tasks, ensuring seamless workflows, and driving performance to meet organizational goals. Key duties include managing cross-functional teams, implementing strategic initiatives, and maintaining high standards of efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, the position requires strong analytical skills to assess data, identify trends, and provide actionable insights. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication abilities to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels, ensuring alignment and clarity in project execution. Proficiency in relevant software tools and a commitment to continuous improvement will be essential for success in this role.
Rapid deployment serge support is provided to ESRO country programs during humanitarian responses, ensuring practical program quality and management accompaniment.
You will collaborate with country programs to assume acting emergency program management and leadership responsibilities, providing support for the establishment and management of emergency field offices, teams, and relief operations as required during deployments.
Craft and deliver technical solutions to both remote and onsite country teams, facilitating emergency program planning, start-up, implementation, and close-out while ensuring adherence to CRS program quality principles, donor guidelines, and established best practices.
Deliver superior project designs by integrating established project management standards with MEAL methodologies, ensuring alignment with project scope, context, and technical specifications.
Assist in formulating and executing regional and country program strategies, guidelines, frameworks, tools, and optimal methodologies for Emergency Response and Recovery, fostering meaningful collaboration with partners, donors, and governmental bodies. Support the integration of cross-cutting considerations, including gender equality, protection principles, dignified approaches, and disaster risk reduction, to strengthen programmatic coherence and impact.
Facilitate the exchange of regional insights by compiling documented lessons learned, emerging best practices, and innovative response strategies derived from deployment experiences, and disseminate this information to the RFP as well as key HRD and regional stakeholders.
Collaborate with country programs to uphold program design and implementation standards, partnership principles, and MEAL approaches, thereby ensuring the delivery of high-quality initiatives.
Support capacity-building efforts in Emergency Response and Recovery programming by collaborating on the design of learning and training strategies and agendas or curricula, delivering trainings and workshops, and providing mentoring and coaching to Country Program (CP) staff. Strengthening capacities may involve formal and on-the-job training initiatives, the development or optimization of operational policies and systems, and partner accompaniment, among other tailored approaches.
You will enhance knowledge management and organizational learning by gathering and analyzing program data, assessing strategic initiatives, supporting the measurement of program impact, documenting and disseminating lessons learned and best practices, and conducting research to produce internal reports.
Represent Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and its partners in scheduled cluster, donor, and coordination meetings in the field as required.
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field required. Minimum of five years of progressive experience in financial analysis, reporting, or audit functions is necessary. Proficiency in advanced Excel, financial modeling, and ERP systems is essential. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are critical, along with exceptional attention to detail. Excellent verbal and written communication abilities are also required. Prior experience in a corporate or public accounting environment is preferred. Knowledge of GAAP and regulatory compliance standards is a must.
We are seeking candidates with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, coupled with at least three years of hands-on experience in the industry. Proficiency in industry-standard software and tools is required, along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication abilities, both written and verbal, are essential, as is the capacity to collaborate effectively within a team environment. Attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining high standards of quality are also necessary.
A bachelor’s degree in international development, disaster response, or a comparable discipline is mandatory.
A minimum of eight years of progressive international experience in advisory or management roles is required, preferably gained within an international NGO setting. Additionally, candidates must possess at least three years of direct involvement in programming interventions focused on Emergency Response and Recovery program management.
Proficiency in delivering technical support and crafting winning proposals for external donor funding is essential.
Proficiency in program monitoring and evaluation is essential, encompassing the application of data collection instruments and techniques, thorough data analysis, and effective data presentation.
Skilled in crafting business development strategies, designing projects, and developing proposals for emergency response initiatives, with expertise in technical writing.
Preferred Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, along with 3–5 years of experience in software development, preferably in a fast-paced environment. Candidates should possess strong proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++, as well as experience with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure. Familiarity with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and agile methodologies is highly desirable. Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team setting are essential. Prior experience in designing scalable systems or leading technical projects would be advantageous.
A master’s degree in international development, disaster response, or an allied field is highly desirable.
Professional with a proven track record of working in complex and conflict-affected environments across East and Southern Africa.
Solid understanding of humanitarian principles, standards, and systems, with a preferred background in CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming and associated standards, is required.
Demonstrates a strong aptitude for coaching, mentoring, and delivering hands-on training, coupled with a genuine passion for fostering professional growth and development.
Proficiency in Information and Community Technology (ICT) and Information Management is required.
Knowledge
A strong understanding of [relevant field/industry] principles, along with expertise in [specific tools, software, or methodologies] is required. The ability to apply theoretical concepts to practical scenarios is essential, as is familiarity with [specific regulations, standards, or best practices]. Proficiency in [specific technical or soft skills] and a commitment to continuous learning are also necessary.
Skills
Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities are vital, enabling the identification of issues and the development of effective solutions. Strong communication skills are needed to convey complex information clearly, both verbally and in writing. Organizational and time-management skills are crucial for prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines efficiently.
Abilities
Capability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment is required. Adaptability to changing priorities and a proactive approach to challenges are expected. Leadership potential or the ability to mentor colleagues may also be advantageous.
Applies technical principles and concepts effectively within Emergency Response and Recovery contexts. Possesses a broad understanding of related disciplines to facilitate a cohesive cross-sectoral approach.
Demonstrates exceptional expertise in implementing and overseeing security protocols as well as administering emergency response programs in high-risk settings.
Proven capability to collaborate effectively with regional partner organizations.
Proficiency in design requirements and regulations set forth by leading emergency donors, such as the U.S. 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 applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge-sharing networks.
Experienced in guiding, instructing, and facilitating professional development through adult learning methodologies.
Proven expertise in cultivating networks and fostering relationships with donors, peer organizations, and civil society partners rooted in faith-based initiatives. Demonstrated understanding of partnership principles and best practices in collaborative engagement.
Exceptional interpersonal skills to foster strong relationships and secure stakeholder alignment, coupled with the capacity to collaborate effectively with colleagues across varied geographic and cultural landscapes.
Proven capability to sustain high performance standards and cultivate effective working relationships across varied cultural settings, even in environments marked by significant psychological and physical strain.
Demonstrates exceptional strategic acumen, analytical prowess, and adept problem-solving capabilities, coupled with a systems-oriented mindset to identify overarching patterns and deliver well-reasoned decisions.
Effective written and verbal communication skills are essential for this role.
Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in presenting information, leading interactive sessions, delivering instructional training, providing mentorship, and offering personalized coaching to individuals and groups.
Results-driven, self-motivated professional with a strong ability to anticipate challenges and leverage available resources to achieve desired outcomes. Demonstrates a commitment to excellence and a track record of delivering measurable results through focused initiative and adaptability.
Proficiency in English is mandatory. French and Portuguese language skills are advantageous.
Must be prepared to travel extensively, with up to 50% of the year spent on assignments—roughly six months—where deployments typically range from two to eight weeks based on the requirements of the country program. Demonstrates resilience and adaptability in demanding or high-stress environments while fulfilling operational needs in locations determined by agency priorities.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
