Emergency Coordinators at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs. Therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to our approach in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established its presence in Nigeria in 2000 and currently focuses on agriculture, governance, peacebuilding and Health/HIV programming.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title:  Emergency Coordinator

Requisition Number: I3311
Location: Niamey, Niger (with frequent travel to field sites)
Department/Country: Program Management & Quality/Niger
Band: D
FLSA: Exempt
Reports to: Head of Programming (HOP)
 
Primary Responsibilities

• The Emergency Program Manager will be responsible for the development of proposals, general planning, implementation, and monitoring of activities in CRS/Niger’s emergency response operations. 
• S/he will coordinate with CRS staff, local and Church partners, local and national authorities, and other humanitarian agencies to avoid overlap and ensure quality implementation of the emergency activities. 
• The EC will represent CRS in emergency clusters, raise CRS’ profile with donors and partners, and establish a culture of response agility and excellence across the CP.
• S/he will work closely with other appropriate CRS staff in order to plan, develop, and write proposals and budgets for emergency and emergency-to-resilience projects. 
• The Emergency Coordinator will also be expected to coordinate with local partners and communities to plan risk reduction schemes against recurring natural shocks and to improve resilience activities in those communities frequently affected.

Specific Responsibilities
Niger Emergency Programs Leadership:

• Together with CP and partner staff, operationalize CRS/Niger’s Sectoral Strategy for Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery (EPRR), including CRS' global Protection Policy and emergency elements of CRS' MEAL Policy
• Ensure high quality project implementation so as to establish a reputation of CRS as an exceptional responder
• In coordination with other actors, propose follow-up plans for longer term programs to address chronic and transitory food insecurity in Niger
• Be responsible for the final content of emergency project reports (review reports from PMs, provide feedback for improvement, support PMs to integrate the feedback, submit final reports to HOP for review and submission) in both French and English
• Develop and maintain strong collaboration with CRS technical experts in the areas of emergency programs, shelter, Cash & Vouchers and other relevant sectors as needed 
• Be responsible for producing and maintaining up to date Past Performance References and Gateway records on all emergency projects.
• Program Management and Quality:
• Provide cohesive leadership to CRS programming in Niger, ensuring that priorities and opportunities identified are in line with CRS' strategic plan and goals
• Ensure the timely implementation of all project activities, coordinating with implementing partners
• Ensure all emergency CRS and partner grants are managed effectively and within the duration of the agreement
• Coordinate the Emergency activities to dovetail with the CRS/Niger development programs, geographically for implementation and in sharing lessons learned and approaches
• In coordination with the CP's M&E staff, ensure quality, timely and relevant monitoring and evaluation, ensuring all emergency programs have quality beneficiary feedback mechanisms
• Spearhead and mainstream consistent innovation and documentation of lessons learned as well as dissemination of those - both positive and negative - to the humanitarian community and donors
• Provide support for the operationalization of Information, Communication and Technology for Development (ICT4D)
• Track and manage the budgets for all emergency projects, conducting timely budget maintenance reviews and working with finance on correcting problems as they arise
• Ensure accountability, gender equity, and protection principles are mainstreamed in all steps of the project cycle.
• Coordinate field visits for staff, visitors, and teams travelling to the affected areas
• Ensure adherence with CRS guiding principles, program quality statements and standards by promoting the use of CRS Program Quality tools and manuals, including the ProPack III /SMILER for M&E
• Ensure that all activities strive to attain SPHERE and in-country Clusters’ standards
• Plan and manage all of the above in a phased and prioritized manner with full consultation and co-ordination with CRS staff and other agencies, both governmental and non-governmental

New Programming:

• Together with the Business Development Specialist, build an accurate database of donors interested in funding EPRR activities, including sectoral and geographic priorities
• Familiarize with UNDP-administered Pooled Fund and other UN managed appeals funding and ensure the CP is well-positioned and ready to submit quality proposals when applications are open
• Lead the development of evidence-based, quality EPRR proposals as opportunities arise. Perform as technical lead and/or lead writer as needed
• Work with senior Niger staff to strategically use CP, regional private allocation funds to position CRS for further donor funding
• Ensure needed project documents (such as proposal, SMILER, DIP) are in place for each new initiative and update as needed
• Ensure Caritas and other partners’ capacities and visions are reflected in all strategies
• Work with national and international Caritas partners to mobilize funds from European and other donors for EPRR funding.

Capacity Building and Supervision:

• Oversee project managers/officers and/or other CRS staff for emergency operations
• Engage direct reports regarding their development plans, determine their professional aspirations, and manage/coach them towards development objectives
• Provide high quality mentoring and coaching of staff and partners
• Address poor performance promptly and constructively, ensuring fair treatment of staff by identifying, documenting and providing adequate support to address performance and behavioral issues
• Promote a work culture in line with CRS values: promotion of international and national talents, collaboration, and uniform adherence to CRS programming principles
• Whenever appropriate, organize CRS and Caritas combined responses to promote cross learning
• Ensure that adequate staff (CRS and partner organizations’) are allocated to emergency activities to ensure quality implementation and follow up
• Facilitate the necessary trainings (i.e. SPHERE standards, voucher methodology, etc.) for staff to implement quality programs.

Representation:

• Develop contacts and foster relationships with in-country donor organizations
• Develop contacts and partnerships with other relief organizations in Niger
• Coordinate with implementing partners through regular communication
• Collaborate with key individuals, relevant Government Ministries, the local Catholic Church, counterpart institutions and NGOs, foreign and local NGOs, and UN agencies
• Ensure CRS/Niger is a significant and relevant actor in Niger’s humanitarian coordination structures
• Attend national and sub-level cluster and general coordination meetings, including Caritas Forum meetings on emergency coordination among all CI members in Niger
• Represent Niger in the CRS Emergency Community, including acting as CRS/Niger focal point with CRS' Humanitarian Response Department.

Agency-Wide Competencies (for all CRS staff):

• These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Program Manager Competencies:

• These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each program manager to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Sets clear goals and manages toward them.
• Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders.
• Manages financial resources with integrity.
• Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning

Emergency Competencies:

• These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff working in emergencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Communicates strategically under pressure.
• Manages stress and complexity.
• Actively promotes safety and security.
• Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs.

Qualifications

• Significant (minimum 5 years) experience in managing programs and human and financial resources, preferably in complex emergency situations
• Possess a graduate Degree in a Development related field, or its equivalent
• Sound management skills including a minimum of 5 years of field management experience in a development agency
• Proven experience in establishing and maintaining effective partnerships
• Proven track record of developing winning proposals for the US government, EU, UN, and/or other funding opportunities
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to navigate the humanitarian coordination system
• Proven expertise in coordinating management and technical skill training programs to support the development of emergency response staff
• Knowledge of CRS programming, Integral Human Development, SPHERE standards and Catholic Social Teaching principles preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge/experience of integrating cross-cutting themes such as capacity building, gender, good governance, and peacebuilding
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Excellent professional communications skills, both oral and written, in French and English
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions independently
• Extremely flexible, and have the ability to cope with stressful situations in emergency environments
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership in strategic planning initiatives
• Ability to work both as a motivating member and a leader of a diverse team
• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point) necessary; familiarity with the application of ICT and GIS products in emergency preparedness and response an asset
• Experience with staff care in emergency settings

Working Relationships:

• Internal: Country Representative, Head of Programs, Head of Operations, Business Development Specialist, Emergency teams, Global and Regional Technical Assistants (including the Humanitarian Response Department),
• External: Caritas Internationalis, Local Partners, Cluster leads and members, Emergency PVO Community, UN agencies, Donor agencies

Disclaimer:

• This JD is not an exhaustive list of the responsibilities of the position, and should the program transition into emergency response mode this position will include additional responsibilities as appropriate.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online