United States of America: Technical Advisor, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Risk Management

Organization: Project Concern International
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 09 Nov 2014

The Technical Advisor for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Risk Reduction will join a growing technical unit, based in PCI’s DC office. She/he will participate with interdisciplinary teams of colleagues, providing technical leadership in humanitarian assistance, DRR, climate change adaptation, and resiliency. This includes both in standalone humanitarian assistance and risk reduction programs, as well as within PCI’s programs across the sectors, such as within food security, livelihood and microfinance programming, HIV/AIDs, infectious disease, maternal child health, and protection programs. He/she will help design and lead emergency response programs, contribute to the overall technical direction of the organization, design rigorous field research initiatives, forge partnerships with universities, government agencies and other NGOs, and make significant contributions to field discourse on best practices and lessons learned.

Key duties and Responsibilities:

Under the guidance of the Director of Humanitarian Assistance (HA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), the Technical Advisor, HA/DRR:

• Conducts rigorous, interdisciplinary assessments of factors associated with vulnerability to shocks and stresses and the impacts of rapid onset disasters
• Designs evidence-based emergency response, DRR, and climate change programs, utilizing available research, best practices, lessons learned, and normative principles.
• Creates program standards and tools and builds the capacity of PCI’s teams and local partners to implement successful programs, both remotely and in the field.
• Develops technical strategies for PCI’s HA unit and the organization as a whole.
• Develops internal and external rosters of leading HA professionals and liaises with HA consultants through regular contact and work planning sessions.
• Designs and implements field research related to risk management and humanitarian assistance, and utilizes existing research to reinforce the quality of PCI’s programming.
• Helps lead emergency responses to rapid onset emergencies and provides ongoing technical support to field teams in emergency response.
• Manages coordination and collaboration between PCI and other organizations and donors in the field, including through the participation in cluster meetings and other standard coordination mechanisms for humanitarian response.
• Liaises with key partners and donors, such as OFDA and USAID, and maintains a relationship of trust, transparency, and collaboration.
• Identifies and builds relationships with strategic partners through joint proposals, joint projects, and partnership agreements, and represents the organization with other technical leaders.
• Additional tasks, duties and projects, as assigned.

Position Parameters/Special Responsibilities Required:

• This position is based in Washington, DC and will require travel up to 30% time to Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

Required Qualifications:

• Graduate degree or equivalent advanced degree in humanitarian assistance or related technical area of expertise, such as engineering, public health, or economic development.
• Minimum of seven years of field experience in disaster risk management and humanitarian assistance, with strong familiarity with international norms, minimum standards, and best practices in the field of humanitarian assistance
• A track record in the development and implementation of integrated, cross-sectoral field programs with measurable results.
• A strong understanding of research methodologies and the use of rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in humanitarian assistance programming.
• Strong capacity to train and support local field staff, and to forge robust partnerships with local communities, local NGOs, and government counterparts.
• A track record of effective project management, follow through, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience working closely with USAID and the OFDA.
• Demonstrated excellent writing and communication skills.
• Experience with management information systems and GIS strongly encouraged.
• Fluency in English. Proficiency in Spanish or French preferred.
• A dedication to learning from and mentoring colleagues.
• A passion for rigorous humanitarian assistance work and accountability, and the occasional willingness to work under pressure with a sense of humor.

How to apply:

https://pciglobal-openhire.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=a...