The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND 

The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state and Damaturu of Yobe State. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods.

Job Overview/Summary

The Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Manager will provide operational, technical, and coordination support to the Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator (EPRCo) in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of emergency preparedness and response activities. The EPR Manager will actively contribute to strengthening IRC’s readiness to respond to emergencies and ensure timely, effective, and high-quality interventions. In this capacity, the EPR Manager will support the EPRCo in conducting key preparedness and response functions, including risk analysis, contingency planning, emergency assessments, response design, and implementation. The role will also involve working closely with sector teams, operations, and partners to ensure integrated and efficient program delivery.

In the absence of the EPRCo, or upon delegation, the EPR Manager will assume a leadership role and be responsible for overseeing emergency preparedness and response activities. This includes providing strategic direction, coordinating emergency response efforts, representing the organization in relevant coordination forums, and ensuring alignment with IRC standards, humanitarian principles, and donor requirements.

The EPR Manager will ensure continuity of operations during emergencies, support rapid decision-making, and maintain effective coordination both internally and externally. The role also requires proactive engagement in resource mobilization, reporting, and learning processes to strengthen the overall emergency response capacity of the country program.

The Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating the IRC’s emergency preparedness, contingency planning, and rapid response interventions. The role ensures timely, effective, and principled humanitarian responses to emergencies, aligned with IRC standards, donor requirements, and international humanitarian frameworks.

Major Responsibilities

The Emergency preparedness and Response manager will support the EPRCo in conducting the following activities and lead whenever the EPRCo is not available or through delegation by the EPRCo. Emergency Preparedness

  • Support the EPRCo in leading the development, review, and implementation of country-level emergency preparedness plans.
  • Conduct regular risk analysis, hazard mapping, and scenario planning.
  • Coordinate contingency planning across sectors (health, WASH, protection, ERD, nutrition).
  • Strengthen early warning systems and preparedness mechanisms.
  • Build staff capacity in emergency preparedness through training and simulations.

Emergency Response Management

  • Lead or coordinate rapid needs assessments in emergency situations.
  • Develop response strategies, including defining priorities, target populations, and modalities.
  • Ensure timely implementation of emergency projects in line with IRC standards.
  • Provide leadership during emergency activation and scale-up phases.
  • Coordinate emergency response teams and surge staff deployment. Program Quality & Implementation
  • Ensure all emergency interventions adhere to humanitarian principles (humanity, neutrality, impartiality, independence).
  • Monitor program quality, relevance, and accountability.
  • Integrate cross-cutting issues such as gender, protection, safeguarding, and inclusion.
  • Ensure compliance with IRC technical standards and sector guidelines.  Coordination & Representation
  • Represents IRC in national and sub-national emergency coordination forums (e.g., clusters, working groups).
  • Strengthen partnerships with government authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, and local actors.
  • Support inter-agency coordination and joint response planning.

Resource Mobilization

  • Identify funding opportunities and contribute to proposal development.
  • Develop emergency concept notes, budgets, and logframes.
  • Liaise with donors and contribute to grant reporting

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL)

  • Ensure effective MEAL systems for emergency response projects.
  • Track key performance indicators and ensure data-driven decision-making.
  • Promote accountability to affected populations through feedback mechanisms.
  • Document lessons learned and best practices. Logistics, Supply Chain & Operations Support
  • Coordinate with supply chain teams to ensure timely procurement and delivery of emergency supplies.
  • Support emergency pipeline management and stock prepositioning.
  • Ensure operational readiness for rapid response.

Team Management & Capacity Building

  • Supervise and mentor EPR staff and focal points.
  • Support recruitment and onboarding of emergency staff.
  • Build internal staff capacity on emergency response tools and approaches.

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy 

Program Management

  • Lead the design, planning, and implementation of emergency preparedness and response programs in line with organizational and cluster priorities.
  • Conduct and oversee rapid needs assessments and ensure timely analysis to inform response strategies.
  • Ensure efficient program delivery through strong coordination with government authorities, UN agencies, clusters, and partners.
  • Manage program budgets, including forecasting, expenditure tracking, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
  • Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track program progress, coverage, and effectiveness.
  • Produce high-quality internal and external reports, including situation reports (SitReps), donor updates, and operational briefs.
  • Identify operational risks and develop mitigation strategies to address access constraints, security issues, and supply chain disruptions.
  • Ensure timely mobilization and deployment of emergency response teams and resources.

Technical Quality

  • Ensure all emergency interventions meet global humanitarian standards, including Sphere Standards and the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS).
  • Provide technical oversight across sectors (e.g., Health, Nutrition, WASH, Shelter) to ensure quality and consistency of service delivery.
  • Promote evidence-based programming through the use of surveillance data, needs assessments, and monitoring systems.
  • Conduct regular field monitoring visits, technical reviews, and quality assurance checks to ensure program effectiveness.
  • Strengthen staff and partner capacity through training, mentorship, and supportive supervision on emergency protocols and technical guidelines.
  • Ensure accountability to affected populations (AAP) by establishing functional feedback and complaint mechanisms.
  • Lead post-distribution monitoring and evaluation activities to assess outcomes and inform program adjustments.
  • Ensure integration of cross-cutting issues such as protection, gender, and inclusion into program design and delivery.

Strategy

  • Lead the development and continuous adaptation of emergency preparedness and response strategies based on evolving context and risk analysis.
  • Conduct scenario planning (best-case, most likely, worst-case) to guide preparedness and contingency planning.
  • Ensure alignment of programs with national response frameworks, humanitarian response plans (HRP), and cluster strategies.
  • Drive prioritization of interventions based on severity, vulnerability, and available resources.
  • Promote a nexus approach by integrating emergency response with early recovery, resilience, and risk reduction initiatives.
  • Strengthening partnerships with local actors, government institutions, and community structures to support localization and sustainability.
  • Identify and promote innovative approaches, including digital tools, cash-based interventions, and remote programming modalities.
  • Lead learning and knowledge management processes, including after-action reviews and incorporation of lessons learned into future programming.

Program Development

  • Design multi-sector emergency programs based on needs and gaps.
  • Develop high-quality proposals, concept notes, and donor submissions.
  • Ensure alignment with donor priorities (ECHO, USAID, FCDO, UN).
  • Collaborate with MEAL, finance, and technical teams to ensure feasibility and impact.
  • Integrate cross-cutting themes (AAP, gender, inclusion).
  • Support localization through partnerships with local NGOs.
  • Incorporate lessons learned into program design

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

Required for all positions with supervisory responsibility, if special considerations are needed (e.g. remote management), make this additive to the base language here.

  • Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
  • Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team. 
  • Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semiannual performance reviews.
  • Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promote a strong team spirit and provide oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
  • Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
  • Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
  • Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths. 
  • As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment

Policies.

  • Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promote a strong team spirit and provide oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
  • Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
  • Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
  • Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Research, Learning and Analysis

  • Lead the design and implementation of operational research, assessments, and analytical initiatives to inform evidence-based emergency preparedness and response programming.
  • Oversee needs assessments, baseline studies, and gap analyses, ensuring timely and accurate data collection to guide program decisions.
  • Analyze contextual data, trends, and risks (conflict, displacement, disease outbreaks, climate shocks) to support strategic planning and prioritization.
  • Establish and strengthen data management systems, including use of digital tools (e.g., Kobo, DHIS2) for real-time monitoring and reporting.
  • Ensure effective use of monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) frameworks to track program performance and outcomes.
  • Lead after-action reviews (AARs), real-time evaluations (RTEs), and lessons-learned exercises to continuously improve program effectiveness.
  • Promote a learning culture by documenting and disseminating best practices, success stories, and innovations across teams and partners.
  • Integrate community feedback and accountability mechanisms into analysis and program adjustments.
  • Produce high-quality analytical reports, briefs, dashboards, and situation analyses to support decision-making at operational and strategic levels.
  • Collaborate with technical teams, clusters, and partners to ensure data sharing, harmonization, and joint analysis.
  • Support forecasting and early warning systems to anticipate and prepare for emerging humanitarian needs.

Coordination & Representation

To ensure a well-coordinated, inclusive, and effective emergency response by fostering collaboration, representing organizational and community interests, and strengthening partnerships across all levels of the humanitarian system.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to:  Emergency preparedness and response Coordinator Indirect/Technical Reporting:  

Position directly Supervises: CET members  Key Internal Contacts: 

▪ Country Program:  Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator, Grants; M&E Coordinator; Sector Leads; Supply Chain Coordinator; Field Coordinators; Base Managers, CET members, Region/Global: 

key staff in IRC regional/HQ Emergency Unit, Director, Emergency Performance & Quality

Key External Contacts: Other humanitarian organizations; RRM, state departments (involved in emergency e.g SEMA) relevant Cluster leads; donors, as required. 

Job Requirements

Education: 

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field from a recognized university with at least 2 years of relevant work experience. - Experience must include work in a similar role within international humanitarian/emergency contexts - Exceptional coordination and interpersonal skills - Background in situation analysis, needs assessments and emergency response project implementation. - Demonstrably excellent written and oral communication skills; strong English writing skills required. - Experience with integrated emergency response required. - Proficient in MS Office, MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint - Flexibility to adapt to changing demands and the ability to work under pressure are essential.

Work Experience:

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

  • Experienced in emergency preparedness and response is required. 
  • Reporting and data management. - Proposal and concept note development desired. - Budget management - Team player - Flexibility - Ability to work under pressure, long work hours, and high workload. - Ability to independently organize work and prioritize tasks. - Selfmotivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual. - Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

  • Previous experience in similar position is required 
  • Proven leadership and team management skills are an advantage. 
  • Participation and leadership in emergency preparedness and response mandatory 
  • Coordination experience is added advantage

Languages:  English and Hausa speaker is an added advantage 

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.  Add position-specific (e.g. accounting software, statistical software, etc.).

Ability to Travel: 50 - 70% possibility of travelling expected and prolonged stay in the field

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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