Emergency Coordinator

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Emergency Coordinator (EC)will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the Malawi emergency response and recovery programming, for both private and public resources. The EC will ensure effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming that advances Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. The EC’s knowledge and skills in emergency programming and management abilities will ensure the delivery of high-quality emergency programming that applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Job Responsibilities:

• With supervision of the Head of Programs (HOP), manage the planning and implementation of projects funded with private and public resources, and all other emergency response and recovery activities in line with CRS quality standards, donor requirements, and national and international standards and ensure program components are implemented in an integrated manner while ensuring staff safety and security.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of emergency staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Promote MEAL and knowledge management by leading project reviews and reflections with staff and partners and documenting good practices and lessons learned. Ensure knowledge is applied to adjust strategies and implementation plans, to inform future programming initiatives and approaches, and to contribute to organizational learning. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices. Lead the project team in providing accurate, timely, high quality reports for donor submission.
• Collaborate, coordinate, and communicate on a regular basis with USAID/OFDA, UNICEF, the UN/clusters/working groups, and relevant local government and community actors to keep abreast of changing needs and opportunities on the ground, to develop synergies, and to identify opportunities for growth.
• Contribute to the proactive pursuit of OFDA funding as appropriate and other opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the Malawi portfolio across the humanitarian-development nexus in line with agency, regional, and CP strategic priorities. Coordinate effective needs assessment to inform high-quality and competitive project design. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer for high-quality emergency proposals, per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans for proposals as well.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact on OFDA and other emergency projects.
• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material resources.
• Effectively manage relationship with Church partners as the national and diocesan levels.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations or relevant field.
• Minimum of 5 years of field-based work experience in a program/project management position with an international NGO, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in emergency response programming.
• Strong knowledge of emergency guidelines and standards.
• Demonstrated ability to represent the organization at coordination meetings with donors, local government, UN, and other international NGOs.
• Demonstrated ability to write high-quality emergency proposals and strategy design. Familiarity with policies, procedures, and priorities of USAID, DFID, EU, UN agencies and other donors preferred.
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.
• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
• Experience engaging with and building capacity of partner organizations
• MEAL skills and experience preferred
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience in building and motivating diverse and talented teams.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Personal Skills

• Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions with limited or incomplete information and offer innovative solutions.
• Strong representation and relationship management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Ability to work long hours in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Ability to function well in a stressful environment, stay focused, and maintain sufficient work life balance with limited options for downtime activity.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Required/Desired Foreign Language

English

Travel Required (include percentage of required travel, if applicable)

50% travel to affected areas

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: Malawi Project Managers for Shelter, Seed Fairs and WASH, possibly more depending on program growth

Internal:

• Malawi Country Representative
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning department
• Business Development Specialist
• SARO Regional staff
• HRD Technical Advisors
• CRS’ finance, human resources, fleet and procurement department.

External: Catholic dioceses CADECOM partners, Trocaire, UNICEF, Relevant government departments; CRS’ partners; consultants; other INGOs, NGOs, members of relevant cluster coordination forums; donors including USAID, UN, and DFID.

MEAL Competencies:

• Track portfolio and project MEAL requirements – both CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures (MPP) and donor requirements.
• Work with MEAL staff and partner staff to implement the MPP and donor MEAL requirements applicable to your projects.
• Complete the annual MEAL procedure self-assessment for your projects and develop action plan to advance MEAL practice.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

* Integrity

* Accountability and Stewardship

* Build Relationships

* Develops Talent

* Continuous Improvement and Innovation

* Strategic Mindset

NOTE: Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.

About the Organization

Catholic Relief Services was founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States. Our mission is to assist the poor and disadvantaged, leveraging the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to alleviate human suffering, promote development of all people, and to foster charity and justice throughout the world. Working through local offices and an extensive network of partners, CRS operates on five continents and in 98 countries. We aid the poor by first providing direct assistance where needed, then encouraging people to help with their own development. Together, these approaches foster secure, productive, just communities that enable people to realize their potential. As the official international relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community, CRS is also committed to educating the people of the United States to fulfill their moral responsibilities toward our global brothers and sisters by helping the poor, working to remove the causes of poverty, and promoting social justice.