Emergency Response Manager

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Emergency Response Manager for our operations in East Borena/Borena Zone (detailed location tbc).

Overall purpose of the role

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate and promote durable solutions for displacement affected populations. DRC Ethiopia is looking for an experienced Emergency Response Manager who will lead our emergency response the Oromia and Somali regions of Ethiopia, in response to the recent displacement.

The Emergency Response Manager will be responsible for coordinating a multi-sectoral response delivered jointly with a consortium of several INGO and local NGO partners on both sides of the regional border, as well as directly supervising the DRC emergency response team.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Emergency Response Capacity and Program Implementation

• Establish and lead a new emergency team, including recruit the team in close collaboration with the technical sector leads, and provide management of program staff supporting emergency interventions and support respectful and positive working relationships which allow for the effective implementation of all emergency response activities. This is to be achieved through leadership, team building, day-to-day support, capacity-building and strong, generalist knowledge of emergency response best practices and principles.
• Ensure the timely, quality and principled implementation of all emergency response activities, in collaboration with DRC’s local and international partners.
• As part of the development of appropriate emergency response modalities, work closely with sector coordinators and the Country Office Anticipatory Action and Emergency Response Programme Coordinator to develop the sector and modality-specific interventions and to ensure that all emergency interventions are in strict compliance with national and international standards and best practices and that they demonstrate technical rigor. 
• Ensure that MEAL and accountability to affected populations are implemented in a timely manner as part of any emergency response interventions.
• Ensure that lessons learned are thoroughly documented and shared within the DRC team and partners. 
• Actively participate in relevant coordination forums both in Somali and Oromia to ensure that emergency responses are implemented in a collaborative manner and supporting integrated, area based responses.
• Share the meeting minutes with Dollo AM, HOP, and relevant technical leads in the CO
• Represent DRC and maintain a strong relationship with external stakeholders (authorities, partners, donors, etc.) ensuring DRC mandate and values, including on protection and principled humanitarian assistance, are clearly articulated and upheld.   
• Work closely with the Dollo-based AM to identify trends, new developments, and humanitarian needs

Grant Management

• Take responsibility for Project Cycle Management of all grants implemented in the area, as detailed in DRC SoP on PCM and best practices of the sector.
• Prepare and submit progress and impact reports to the Program Development and Quality Manager, Somali Region Area Manager and Head of Programs, as per the grant agreement.

Finance and Administration

• Assume responsibility as a budget holder of all emergency-related projects and lead in the development of activity specific budgets and spending plans.
• Maintain a budget overview, and collaborate regularly with the Anticipatory Action and Emergency Response Programme Coordinator, Head of Program, Somali Region Area Manager and Addis Ababa-based finance team to monitor spending and ensure the timely utilization of all grants, in compliance with donors and DRC regulations.
• Ensure that all financial transactions are accurately and thoroughly documented, including necessary supporting documents, before approval.

Human Resources

• Promote professional development by identifying training and capacity building opportunities and ensure staff are well versed in emergency response best practices and humanitarian principles, DRC's code of conduct, accountability, respectful dialogue with the beneficiary population, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. 
• In collaboration with Dollo-based support services staff, ensure timely recruitment onboarding and contract renewal of staff.
• Collaborate with the human resources department to ensure staff performance is continuously monitored, poor performance timely addressed and evaluations conducted on a regular basis. 
• Work closely with the Dollo-based AM and SSTL to plan, prioritize, and coordinate resources, including support staff, across the two regions

 Logistics and Procurement

• Collaborate with the Addis Ababa and Somali AO based logistics and procurement team to develop and maintain relevant framework agreements and emergency response-specific procurement plans.
• Ensure the budgeting of emergency response activities incorporate logistics and support costs such as transport and warehousing needs for procurement-heavy activities are accurate in coordination with the relevant teams.
• Ensure accountable, transparent and well-documented procurement processes for emergency response activities.
• Ensure a proper stock management including clear segregation of duties among the existing staff during emergency response in line with the established policies.

 Safety and Access

• Lead stakeholder engagement at local and regional levels in implementation areas to maintain humanitarian access and acceptance, in line with the Code of Conduct for humanitarian organizations in Ethiopia and humanitarian principles.
• In close collaboration with the Dollo based Safety Officer, AM, CO Safety and Access Coordinator and the Country Director, ensures that all relevant information regarding safety, security and the context is collected, updated and shared in a regular and timely manner.
• In close collaboration with the Safety and Access Coordinator and the Country Director, ensure that staff working on emergency response are informed and operate by relevant safety protocols.

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a emergency response in a manager or response coordinator capacity.
• Proven experience designing and implementing emergency response interventions.
• Substantial experience in both a technical advisory role and with hands-on programme management and implementation across the project/programme cycle.
• Confident and effective representation and communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills, ability to determine priorities and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal, written and analytical skills in English.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with staff members and other stakeholders.

  EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

• Masters in Social Sciences, Economics, Development Studies or other relevant field.

  LANGUAGE: (indicate Fluency level)

• English (fluent)
• Amharic (fluent)
• Oromo and Somali (preferred.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: Until 30 July 2026

Contract Type: National Contract

Band: F2 –Management

Designation of Duty Station: East Borena or Borena (detailed location tbc).

 Start date:  15 December, 2025

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National employees.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: November 30 , 2025

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gendergap.
Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status, or other protected characteristics

We strongly encourage female candidates to apply for the position!

We encourage only qualified Ethiopian Nations to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit.