Regional Emergency Advisor

SOS Children’s Villages International is the umbrella organization for the global federation of SOS Children’s Villages. As a non-governmental social development organization, we support children without parental care and families in difficult living conditions through services in care, education, health and emergency relief, and we advocate for the rights of children and young people, in alliance with a great diversity of partners. We work in 136 countries and territories, reaching over one million children, young people, families and caregivers each year.

To support us with this important responsibility we are now looking for a committed:

Regional Emergency Advisor – International Office Regional West, Central and North Africa (H/F)

Lieu d’affectation: Dakar, Senegal           

Mission :  

The Regional Emergency (ER) Advisor will play a key role in the development and coordination of the emergency response programme and the start-up of field operations in the affected National Associations in West, Central and North Africa Region.

SOS Children’s Villages International Office Region (West & Central and North Africa) has emergency operations in Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Central African Republic, Morocco, Niger and Togo with possible expansion into Cameroun and Mali. The Emergency Response Advisor will support the regional office to implement the Global ER Strategy, Regional ER Strategy, and National Humanitarian Response Plans.

The Emergency Response Advisor will directly support National Associations to fulfill the Humanitarian Mandate of SOS Children`s Villages by developing their humanitarian response programs focusing on Child Protection in Humanitarian Action primarily, seize funding opportunities from multi-lateral, government and foundation donors,  build their response and preparedness capacities and support/ monitor the implementation.

Tâches et Responsabilités:

• Initiate the development of the regional humanitarian action strategy in alignment with the global humanitarian strategy and Humanitarian Mandate, drive the next steps for validation, roll out across the region, and support the key MAs in developing national humanitarian strategies.
• Support National Associations for disaster preparedness and emergency response operations including by providing trainings as needed or identify knowledge gaps and address with GER support.
• Lead the rapid need assessments in humanitarian crisis settings and coordinate the development of ER projects
• Contribute to strengthening of capacity of National Association’s by providing technical support and compliance with the global systems and tools such as Core Humanitarian Standards, Companion for CPiHA, security, logistics, procurement policies, etc.
• Follow-up with implementing MAs and facilitate regular reporting and updates on the implementation of projects (budget and activities monitoring) including to PSAs or other stakeholders in the GSC.
• Monitor both project activities and budget execution according to the plan including support in meeting deadlines and timelines.
• Provide support to other staff working on the regional humanitarian portfolio, coordinate, and align with development programme and key regional supporting functions such as Security, Finance etc.
• Work closely with PSAs and GER on the development of concept notes, proposal, budgets and other ER related documents or take the lead when necessary.
• Ensure proper project management for all humanitarian initiatives at regional level in coordination with the global team, including participation in global humanitarian coordination mechanism and regular meetings.
• Support MAs with sound grant management and ensure compliance with donor requirements and SOS CV policies.
• Provide support to MAs in the recruitment phase of key humanitarian staff as required by new projects and assess regularity capacity gaps.
• Work with the regional M&E to ensure proper M&E support is provided to MAs in their humanitarian portfolio.
• Represent SOS Children’s Villages within humanitarian coordination mechanisms, including relevant cluster meetings and taskforces such as Protection Cluster and CPiHA WG, as well as NGO fora and other interagency working Groups.

Exigences :

Essential

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement emergency responses projects
• Significant experience leading complex emergency response projects and/or programmes in west and central Africa region
• Demonstrated ability to influence humanitarian advocacy network for improving humanitarian policies
• Good knowledge of humanitarian principles and standards, and thorough understanding of key concepts in humanitarian action
• Proven expertise in project management
• Proven external coordination and representation skills
• Experience working in crisis setting
• Good Communication skills (Fluency in English and French both oral and written)
• Good knowledge on MS Office with high level in the use of PowerPoint and Excel
• Certified training in security; logistics and/or procurement is a strong asset

Desirable

• Results-oriented
• Ability to work in an international setting – diverse cultures
• Direct experience or expertise in Child Protection in Humanitarian Action.
• Demonstrated capacity to work autonomously under pressure and with tight deadlines
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures

Education qualifications

• Master’s degree in social sciences, development, or any related field
• Degree in humanitarian action, Disaster relief services , Social Sciences, or any other technical area related to the humanitarian sector
• Minimum 5 years of emergency response experience (particularly in West & Central Africa)
• Minimum of 7 years of Project Management experience including project planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting

We offer

• Diverse, creative and challenging opportunities in an international working environment

• Possibility to make significant, positive contribution
• Competitive compensation package and excellent development opportunities
• In accordance with the organisation’s child protection policy, all employment is subject to applicable background checks, including criminal record checks

What We Stand For: **

SOS Children’s Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a caring and protective environment, which promotes its core values, and prevents and addresses child abuse and exploitation. We strongly condemn all forms of child abuse and exploitation, be it within or outside of our organization, and always respond to any case of proven, alleged or attempted abuse within our sphere of influence according to its nature. Efforts ensure that mechanisms are in place to raise awareness, aid prevention, encourage reporting and ease response. They range from human resource development actions such as training and counselling to measures such as suspension, dismissal, and legal action

SOS Children’s Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a safe working environment for our staff, the children and young people and the communities that we work for. The organization prohibits harassment, exploitation and abuses by or of any employee, supervisor, manager, child, young people, community, contractor, applicant, or other individual with whom SOS Children’s Villages employees come into contact by virtue of their work. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our prevention and protection against Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse policy.

In addition, SOS Children’s Villages apply a zero tolerance concerning any fraud situation. The organization does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

If you are interested by this position, please send your application with your Resume, your Cover Letter including 3 professional referees, the copy for your diplomas and your criminal records by 6/10/2024 at the latest. 

Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.