Technical Advisor – International Disaster Relief & Recovery

Position description

Supports The Salvation Army in more than 130 countries worldwide to meet immediate needs resulting from natural and man-made disasters. Ensures the SAWSO Disaster Relief and Recovery Sector projects portfolio is managed well; this includes, but is not limited to, supporting country offices in developing strong proposals, ensuring compliance to all programmatic and financial obligations; making sure projects are implemented on time, on target and on budget, narrative and financial reports are submitted in a timely manner, and communication between SAWSO and key donors/partners is maintained. Serves as the primary liaison for SAWSO with International Emergency Services (IES) and Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) in the USA. Provides support to IES and country offices in the development and maintenance of disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness strategies; provides general assistance; develops cooperative relationships with counterparts; provides grant writing assistance. National and international week-long travel required up to two – three months per year.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS This job description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this position. You may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this job description.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT ACTIVITES

Project proposal development, vetting, implementation, and compliance:  
• Manages and programs out unspent SAWSO disaster-designated funds, to include collaborating with country offices to identify program needs and projects. 
• Oversees the processing, review, and approval of rapid relief and international emergency services proposal requests, per the sector’s strategies and priorities.
• Presents project proposals at panel review meetings (Program Team meetings). 
• Supports the oversight of projects to ensure quality implementation and timely closures per partner agreements and MOUs. 
• Reviews and seeks approval for any changes or amendments to approved proposals and budgets prior to implementing the changes.
• Collaborates with other SAWSO sectors, e.g., health, education, etc., to ensure an integrated approach to community-based approach to disaster response and resilience. 
• Liaise and coordinate with Supporting Offices and IES.  
• Provides technical support to projects as appropriate.

Project monitoring, reporting, documentation, and learning:

• Monitors and reports on efforts of our project portfolio (status, closures, % of completion, etc.), while identifying issues that warrant management action. 
• Ensures timely notification to relevant teams of any significant milestone changes in grants projects.
• Supports joint planning and monitoring visits to projects and programs to ensure timely and quality implementation per SAWSO/stakeholder standards. 
• Documents and shares lessons learned from previous and ongoing projects that are required for the development of new project proposals.

External engagement, communication, and fundraising:
• Ensures stakeholders (US territories, corporate partners, etc.) and donor queries and requests are responded to in a timely and quality manner.
• Develops and maintains relationships with counterparts at other U.S. PVOs, leading to funding partnerships for disaster relief and recovery.
• Liaise with NCRD to promote situational awareness on social media channels. 
• Collaborates with National Headquarters’ resource development department to acquire and oversee disaster-related grants and private contributions, to include but not limited to, grant-writing. 
• Maintains an updated version of the sector portfolio’s ArcGIS map.

SECTOR SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES 

• Supports the transition from disaster relief to recovery in coordination with IES, SAWSO Program and in-country offices.

• Coordinates support for emergency disaster response with IES and The Salvation Army USA through the National Liaison for EDS.
• Represents SAWSO in liaising with The Salvation Army IES and The Salvation Army USA (TSA USA) related to international disaster response. 
• Conducts evaluations of disaster response activities and compiles lessons-learned in collaboration with IES and other major stakeholders.
• Responds to all disaster related public inquiries, including vendors, providing up-to-date information.
• Participate in disaster services committees or forums at NHQ and IHQ

• Supports the development and management of disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness strategies with International Emergency Services, and in-country offices. 
• Participates in the development of guidelines and tools for emergency preparedness, and risk reduction in cooperation with IES and in-country offices, in line with established SAWSO and IES policies and priorities.
• Collaborates with other SAWSO sectors to ensure an integrated approach in strengthening risk reduction and preparedness within local Salvation Army institutions such as schools, health facilities, and other community-based activities.
• Helps communities become more resilient to, and reduce the risks of, disasters by promoting the integration of disaster risk reduction practices into ongoing SAWSO-funded programs in disaster-prone countries or regions in cooperation with IES.
• Coordinates with IES to assist The Salvation Army implementing territories to develop emergency preparedness plans.

• Travels to implementing territories, international headquarters, or development/donor offices as needed (2-3 months per year).

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

Performs other related work as required.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Computer, telephone, general office equipment, digital camera

 

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university AND a master’s degree in a field related to the sector (i.e., project management, disaster response, humanitarian assistance, international affairs, peace and conflict resolution, etc.), 

and

five years of directly related professional experience, including experience in providing technical and knowledge driven solutions in disaster preparedness and relief and recovery program design, AND five years of program management experience,

and 

three years of experience living in a developing country and working with international disaster programs (such as disaster response, humanitarian assistance, mitigation) preferably in a management role,

or 

any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

None required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Technical expertise in the international disaster relief and recovery sector, including in-depth knowledge of international quality assurance mechanisms and standards for disasters, (SPHERE, the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership, Do No Harm, People in Aid Code of Good Practice, and International Red Cross Codes of Conduct). 

Experience working with the UN, National Governments, and INGOs for coordinating an emergency response.

Knowledge of and experience with disaster programs and their requirements, including writing proposals, providing support for donor-funded activities, including United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and UN (OCHA, IOM, etc.) funded projects, and ensuring both financial and programmatic compliance. 

Understanding of current international disaster and community development theory, practice, and trends. (Specific experience with faith-based approaches to development is strongly preferred.)

Experience in international emergency response monitoring, assessment, and data collection methodologies.

Successful candidates also demonstrate the following KSAs:

Planning and Organizing  
Establishes a systematic course of action for self or others to ensure accomplishment of a specific objective. Determines priorities and allocates time and resources effectively.

Balancing Multiple Priorities  
Balances the needs and interests of various stakeholders and makes decisions involving competing goals, objectives and alternatives. Prioritizes tasks and redirects work effort in response to changes in priorities.

Flexibility  
Adapts easily to frequent change, to varied working conditions and requirements, and to diverse individuals and groups. Willing to consider new ideas and approaches and apply them creatively. Views long-standing challenges from different perspectives and challenges fundamental assumptions about accepted ways of doing things.

Cross-Cultural Sensitivity  
Communicates and interacts effectively with people from other cultures, ethnicities, religions, geographies, and organizations; respects and adapts to other cultures, ethnicities, and seeks opportunities to learn about them to enhance relationships. Understands and respects different denominations and religious traditions.

Relationship Building  
Establishes rapport with people easily, to others as necessary to gain their support and participation. 

Problem Solving  
Identifies and analyzes situations and/or issues, considers options, develops and decides on solutions, recommends and/or implements and monitors appropriate solutions.

Teamwork  
Promotes and generates cooperation and teamwork within the Program Department, with other SAWSO departments, and between staff and local ministry partners. Ability to take guidance from leadership and execute plans in disaster response. 

Results Orientation  
Demonstrates concern for achieving or surpassing results against an internal or external standard of excellence, shows a passion for improving the delivery of services with a commitment to continuous improvement. Identifies quantitative and qualitative performance measures for area(s) of responsibility and analyzes, evaluates and reports results objectively.

Organizational Awareness  
Uses an understanding of how the organization works to get things done. Understands SAWSO’s business operations/products/services and how the organization competes. Understands the mission and work of the organization and organizational priorities. Has ministry knowledge and knowledge of the complexity of the global Salvation Army, including international locations. Applies an understanding of the organization’s informal structure, culture and climate in achieving goals. For external candidates, knowledge of similarly complex organizations may substitute for Salvation Army knowledge.

Program Management Support  
Effectively supports Implementing Territories in the management of projects.

Knowledge Management  
Works to enhance ability of clients/service groups to retain current, critical knowledge base by developing systems, fostering collaboration and facilitating feedback loops. Interprets and effectively communicates lessons learned to appropriate stakeholders.

Application instructions

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