Emergency Manager

Overall purpose of the role:

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programmes, the Emergency Manager is responsible for the management and strategic development of the DRC Emergency Mobile Response Team and the guidance of wider emergency response programming across other field offices. The Emergency Manager is responsible to develop/update a comprehensive emergency preparedness and response plan (EPRP), emergency strategy and accompanying response modalities. Key to the position will be an ongoing analysis of the humanitarian context, developing emergency-related funding opportunities to support responses, and representing DRC at relevant cluster at cluster coordination meetings. The Emergency Manager will be the line manager for sector specific staff and be responsible for the overall safety and security management of the field activities, in close collaboration with the Country Safety Coordinator. In addition, the Emergency Manager is responsible for the development of tools and SOPs for multi-sectoral emergency responses and serve as the DRC South Sudan Emergency Rapid Response Mechanism (ERRM) focal point.

Responsibilities:

To achieve the objectives of the position, the Emergency Manager will perform the following tasks and undertake the following responsibilities:

Programming

• Plan and oversee the deployment of the DRC Mobile Response Team in response to acute emergencies in hard to reach locations. Provide programme advice related to emergency response activities, including on management related issues.
• Review and provide feedback on sector specific and multi-sectoral needs assessments completed by the Mobile Response Teams.
• In collaboration with the MEAL team, responsible for the MEAL process, including the review of MEAL tools and systems, the feedback and complaint mechanism within the Mobile Response Team.
• Ensure the rigorous application of project cycle management standards at field level to achieve program quality in design, implementation and monitoring; i.e strengthening data collection, in-depth reporting and analyses, monitoring accountability initiatives, and documenting the impact of DRC presence in the field;
• Provide capacity building and technical support to the mobile response team and other field offices on emergency response, including the Emergency Rapid Response Mechanism and activation of crisis modifiers.
• Provide regular updates on ongoing missions to the CD, HoP and relevant Technical Coordinators;
• Ensure synergy between Protection, CCCM, FSL and SNFI teams to strengthen multi-sectoral assessments and responses.
• Update intervention and event tracker on a monthly bases to ensure response coverage and shocks are being recorded
• Lead in the development and review of funding opportunities to support the strategic expansion of DRCs emergency programming across South Sudan. 

Context analysis and Strategy Development

• Engage in ongoing assessments of the humanitarian context across South Sudan as a means to update country-based emergency strategies and accompanying response modalities.
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• Facilitate the development/review of Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP).
• Facilitate the roll-out and advise in the operationalization of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP).
• Develop/ Update the Mobile Rapid Response strategy and provide guidance during implementation of emergency responses in new areas of operation.

Finance and Logistics

• Serve as the overall budget holder for the Mobile Response Team activities and review/approve all expenditure requests.
• In collaboration with the Project Managers/Team Leaders prepare monthly forecasts for the Emergency program and track budget expenditures to ensure timely utilization of funds vis-à-vis work plans, and implementation schedules and adjust budget forecasts when needed.
• Guide the team in preparation of procurement plans for project activities and coordinate with logistics personnel on the procurement process.
• Ensure warehouse management, tracking procurement, preposition stocks and ensuring timely delivery of supplies to the field with support from program support team.
• Review all financial documents related to expenses incurred during field missions and ensure all advances taken by team are expenses are closed
• Collaborate with the Programme Support Specialist to ensure the completion and submission of SRFs to the Logistics Cluster and track the progress of movement of items to field locations.

Human Resources and Administration

• Overall responsibility for managing the Mobile Response Team, including direct line management of Project Managers and Team Leaders, ensuring a collaborative and positive working environment within the team.
• Support staff on recruitment efforts of national staff and lead on the recruitment of Project Managers in collaboration with HR, and regularly review staffing structures and staff deployment plans ensuring appropriate gender balance, sensitivity to ethnic contexts and expanding opportunities for nationalization.
• Ensure that all staff have completed the performance and appraisal process for their staff and also complete the process with staff under direct line management. Contribute activity to the evolution of the country office nationalization strategy and policies.
• Carry out staff skills needs assessments, prepare annual capacity building and training plans in consultation with the relevant Technical Coordinators and HR Manager and oversee the execution of the plan.
• Ensure staff is well versed on the DRC's Code of Conduct, accountability, respectful dialogue with communities, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Safety and Security

• Serve as the lead Safety focal point for the Mobile Response Teams, oversee and complete daily check-ins with field teams, in collaboration with the Head of Safety provide guidance and support to field teams in the management of security incidents.
• In collaboration with the HoP, CD and Head of Safety, closely monitor the situation and development in population movements, security context, accessibility constraints, and natural or environmental phenomena.
• Closely work with the CD and Head of Safety in planning and implementing appropriate safety measures that safeguard DRC team and assets during deployment, review mission safety plans.
• Ensure staff compliance with security management rules and procedures (for i.e. ensuring relevant documentation and procedures are understood and adhered to by staff).
• Maintain safety assets with support from the safety team and ensure all staff have acquired the right approvals for assets before deployment
• Ensure all staff have a specific mission order for deployment for assessment and interventions.

Coordination and Representation

• Serve as the DRC ERRM focal point and represent DRC at relevant cluster and coordination meetings, including providing presentations or briefings to key external stakeholders, planning and coordinating joint missions with ERRM partners.
• Serve as focal point for the Needs Analysis Working Group and Access Working Group, sharing updates from recently conducted assessments and flagging areas undergoing needs severity, areas where there are access and security constraints which limit humanitarian action
• Coordinate with relevant clusters for deployment of teams to the field and ensuring responses are coordinated
• Coordinate with the logs cluster to join logistical convoys and to understand logistical challenges across the country
• Identify gaps in service provision to displaced communities, proactively referring those gaps to relevant forums or advocating with government authorities or humanitarian partners for additional support
• Represent DRC at local level humanitarian response coordination meetings providing feedback and analysis to the HoP with recommendations for future planning;
• Perform other relevant duties assigned by the line manager.

Experience and technical competencies:

• University degree in disaster management, law, operations, international cooperation, social sciences or social work; or equivalent work experience
• ​At least five years international experience working in an emergency context in programme management and design.
• Experience in and knowledge of multi-sectoral programming, including knowledge of Camp Management and Camp Coordination, SNFI, and Protection programming in emergency contexts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Emergency Rapid Response Mechanism programme model.
• Experience in budget management and the development of proposal development for donors including ECHO, BHA, and the Country Humanitarian Funds.
• Demonstrated successful leadership experience managing a multi-disciplinary team and cross-cultural dynamics;
• Ability for rapid analysis of very complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic learning and priorities into operational strategies;
• Higher level of diplomatic, access negotiation, and coordination skills are essential, both for internal coordination and for working with key stakeholders, experienced in participating in coordination meetings and engaging with donors.
• Experience of managing programs in a complex and rapidly changing security context, and the management of security incidents.
• Established capacity to deal with stressful situations, willingness to work in remote and isolated location;
• Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes;
• Strong commitment to DRC vision, mission and core values;
• Good computer and IT skills and strong English communication and writing skills.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Desirable qualifications

• An understanding of the South Sudan context.
• Self-motivated and able to work with a minimum of guidance and supervision; 
• Experience working in security-sensitive environments and enforcement of team security protocols is an asset

Education:

University degree in disaster management, law, operations, international cooperation, social sciences or social work; or equivalent work experience.

Languages:

English

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

Technical Coordinators, Grants Manager, Head of Programmes, Safety Coordinator, Head of Support Services, Supply Chain Manager, Finance Manager, ERRM Consortium members, Cluster Coordinators

Conditions

Contract:         One year contract. Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Staff ; Employment band NM G1

Duty station:    Juba with frequent travel to the field locations

Reporting Line: Head of Programmes

Providing equal opportunities:    We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Promoting high standards : DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process

Application and CV

Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.

DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under job.

Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 28th March, 2023. CVs will be reviewed on rolling basis, and position might be filled before the deadline.