SOS Children’s Villages International is the umbrella organisation for the global federation of SOS Children’s Villages. As a non-governmental social development organisation we help children without parental care and families in difficult living conditions through services in care, education, health and emergency relief, and we advocate for children’s rights. We work in 136 countries and territories, reaching over one million children, young people, families and caregivers each year.

Mission

The Head of Global Emergency Response (GER) supports the regional offices of the International Office as well as member associations (MAs) in pursuing their mission as set out in the SOS Children’s Villages International Emergency Policy:

“When children are exposed to emergencies, be it as a result of armed conflict or natural disaster, we take action:

• To bring them as quickly as possible from the emergency into a caring family environment where their development as individuals is supported.
• To prevent family separation during all phases of an emergency.

We achieve this by helping our member associations to develop their individual emergency response programmes according to the following guiding principles:

• We make sure children are secure, protected and able to continue developing amidst emergency situations.
• We make sure children are in a caring family environment.
• We support children and communities to prepare for and to respond to emergencies.
• We carry out a focused and effective emergency response and recognise the importance of responding immediately and with the appropriate scale-up of resources depending on the needs of our target group.
• We maximise our impact through cooperation with partners.”

Tasks and Responsibilities

Global Network Leadership

• Develop and implement the revised emergency response (ER) direction for SOS Children’s Villages International in accordance with the Strategy 2030 and General Secretariat mid-term plan 2020-22
• Develop and technically lead a regional ER network and the ERoster (internal ER system) in collaboration with regional ER advisors
• Implement a business plan to ensure adequate staffing within General Secretariat in order to support to the member associations in emergency response issues 

Emergency Operations Support

• Jointly with respective MAs and International Office Regions (IORs), initiate the first stages of an emergency response through coordination with vested parties at national/regional level
• Provide timely updates and advice to the COO to facilitate rapid response and decision-making as well as guidance and technical expertise to regional and national colleagues on aspect of emergency programme implementation
• Support, secure and oversee the timely and relevant information flow from emergency locations to the International Office (IO), promoting and supporting associations (PSAs) and other relevant stakeholders related to ERPs and support the development of emergency communication in collaboration with the Communications and Brand unit
• Provide direction in high-level emergency operations, where MA and IOR capacity is limited and strong international support is needed

Policy, Standard and Guideline Development and Implementation

• Develop standards and policies for emergency operations to increase efficiency and effectivity
• Jointly with respective functions and IORs ensure the implementation of emergency response activities as part of a holistic project cycle, thereby operatively implementing the “Linking Relief, Rehabilitation and Development” (LRRD) concept

Capacity Building

• Support the GSC Emergency Response Network together with respective functions of the IORs in their training and capacity building; ensure trainings are carried out according to principal protocols and quality standards as agreed upon within the network
• Strengthen capacity building on all levels through direct advice and implementation of the emergency preparedness programme

Risk Management

• Jointly with IOR functions, support MAs and contribute to meeting internal and external standards and processes related to child safeguarding, procurement, financial management and legal compliance, safety and security
• Support elaboration of risk management policies, procedures and tools to mitigate ERP specific risks

External Representation

• Participate in global partnerships and networks and lay the ground for local partnerships (e.g. Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, NetHope Emergency working group)
• Link and drive operational needs with fundraising activities in cooperation with Fund Development and collaborate in the initiation and development of new fundraising tools with the relevant departments
• Act as resource or media spokesperson for PSAs and Fund Development as required

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in development studies, international relations, social sciences or other related field
• Minimum 10 years of work experience in the humanitarian/development context in a management position
• Profound professional experience in a multi-cluster international organisation or NGO
• Strong understanding of child protection in humanitarian action centered programming
• Several years of field experience in implementing emergency response projects
• Several years of work experience in an intercultural setting
• Excellent knowledge in designing and implementing emergency preparedness and response activities including LRRD
• Sound knowledge of international humanitarian standards, systems and context as well as in the area of child protection with focus on child protection in humanitarian action
• Proven track record of managing projects
• Strong facilitation and supervising skills
• Excellent command of English
• Applicants must hold a valid Austrian working permit or be eligible to work within the EU

We offer

• A diverse range of interesting tasks in a leading INGO multicultural working environment
• As a responsible employer we provide a range of training schemes and encourage educational enhancement
• A salary that will be commensurate with experience and qualifications

If you are interested in this position, please send your detailed e-mail application in English by 30 June 2019 at the latest to personal@sos-kd.org, SOS Children’s Villages International, www.sos-childrensvillages.org/