Senior Global Emergency Response Team Officer

Role & Responsibilities

The Senior Global Emergency Response Team (G-ERT) Officer is available for immediate deployment for emergency response operations to provide team leadership and in-county coordination, linking with donors and partner organisations, designing of strategy, and ensuring overall quality and execution of response in immediate phases. The Senior G-ERT Officer also serves as a main focal point in the emergency location, ensures effective communication with Global Support Office (GSO). He/she could also be deployed as Team Leader and/or Projects Coordinator in an emergency response or in a senior management role supporting emergencies in existing country programmes.

 

Project Overview

The G-ERT is a standing global emergency response team and consists of 4-5 members. New emergency responses historically comprise around 7% of annual Medair portfolio budget. In recent years, this has amounted to USD$3.5m on average and has involved 1-3 new responses per year (many have become longer-term country programmes).

 

Workplace & Working conditions

Global Support Office (GSO) position based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Swiss or eligible EU citizens, or those with a valid work permit for Switzerland, can apply.

 

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full-time, 80% (100% when deployed)

 

Key Activity Areas

Emergency Response Management – Deployment

SRATEGY

• W/G-ERT Head & programme staff, lead strategic planning, ensure assessments implementation & other activities
• With G-ERT Head, ensure adherence to country policies pursuing registration & permissions from local authorities
• Strong current humanitarian & political developments in country analysis, disseminate relevant parts internally
• Develop and maintain transparent and accountable contact with relevant funding partners representatives to secure sufficient funding for emergency response and initial programming
• Coordinate design of project plans and writing of proposals
• Ensure Medair is represented in relevant cluster & meetings, Flash Appeals inputs & Humanitarian Response Plans

ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMMUNICATION

• Ensure activities implementation, monitoring, evaluation & reporting, in-line w/approved proposals & budgets
• Promote & support external communication needs for Engagement Department via Communications staff
• Develop, maintain regular, transparent, honest and supportive communication with all members of ERT and GSO
• Submit regular situation reports as needed by GSO and fulfil reporting obligations to national authorities

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Ensure minimum financial processes are carried out in a timely manner during an emergency response
• Ensure financial controls monthly analysis based, are in place, compliant, cost-effective, within authorised budget
• Ensure analysis of projected cash flow and that timely cash requests are sent to GSO as needed

SECURITY MANAGEMENT

• Ensure security management during the emergency response based on adherence to Medair’s security policy and guidelines, and the management of security incidents in a way that protects staff, organisation and assets
• Ensure security location plans are written, up-to-date, appropriate, include standard operating procedures (SOPs), and with a system for briefings and inductions when staff arrive
• Ensure appropriate in-country Crisis Management capacity as described in Medair’s Crisis Management Plan

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

• Lead, manage deployed staff on emergency response team and provide spiritual leadership to team as appropriate
• Support HR/Finance on emergency response team to ensure adherence to Medair HR policies including recruitment, performance management, development, training and disciplinary action
• Encourage Medair values working & living environment, support staff well-being, implement Staff Health Plan
• Ensure compliance with National Labour Law when applicable

NETWORKING AND INFLUENCE

• Develop and maintain good working relationships with relevant authorities, donors, clusters or other coordination mechanisms, and other key actors including partners, UN, INGOs, local NGOs
• Maintain contact list of key contacts and authorities in the emergency response country

GSO Responsibilities – when not deployed

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS

• Support development of SOPs, policies, toolkits, trainings, etc modules to improve efficiency and effectiveness of Medair emergency response teams globally
• Support Medair county programmes to respond to new onset emergencies through surge deployment or assistance in developing contingency plans and in-country tools
• Utilize technical expertise in humanitarian response areas to grow Medair, G-ERT, into new areas and innovations

COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION

• Establish close, strategic, build relationships with bilateral and multilateral aid & humanitarian agencies at regional & headquarter levels to facilitate strategic, principled, appropriate and timely humanitarian response
• Engage in relevant humanitarian networks in order to share ideas, good practice, stay informed on current humanitarian aid trends, and elevate the visibility of Medair as an emergency response partner
• Support fundraising & communications materials development & review to support Medair fundraising strategy

OTHER

• Fulfil other organisational mission-critical responsibilities agreed with G-ERT Head and Intl. Programmes Director

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• Relevant university degree (Bachelor) and relevant professional experience
• Training in security risk management/ staff management
• Excellent working knowledge of the English language (speaking and writing)

 Experience

• At least 5 years relevant post qualification experience
• 2-3 years humanitarian experience (at least one initial emergency response/start-up in an insecure environment)
• 1-2 years’ experience with Medair in country programs
• Knowledge of humanitarian context, sector standards, Sphere standards, CHS and protection issues
• Experience in networking and negotiation with donors; proven ability to secure, manage and report on grants
• Proven experience in project cycle management and programme funding

  How to applyPlease ensure you are fully aware of the:

a) Medair organizational values

b) Medair is committed to safeguarding the protection of beneficiaries, volunteers, staff and partners, and particularly children. Therefore, we do not employ staff whose background we understand to be unsuitable for working with children. Medair staff are required to give the utmost respect to, and comply with, Medair’s accountability policies and best practices.

c) Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC) (which forms part of the recruitment selection process for field positions).

Application Process

To apply, go to this vacancy on our Medair Page.

Please do not make multiple applications. We will not review email applications. Only English-language applications / CVs will be reviewed.