Role & Responsibilities

Provide team leadership and in-country coordination when deployed for emergency response operations, linking with donors and partner organisations, designing strategy, and ensuring overall quality and execution of the response. The Senior G-ERT Officer also serves as a main focal point in the field to ensure effective communication with the Global Support Office (GSO). Assume the role of Team Leader or Operations Coordinator when deployed in an emergency response or in a senior management role for supporting emergencies in existing country programmes.

Project Overview

The G-ERT is a standing global emergency response team of 4-5 members. New emergency responses historically comprise of around 7% of the annual Medair portfolio budget. In recent years, this has amounted to USD$3.5m on average and has involved 1-3 responses per year (many of which have become longer-term country programmes).

Workplace & Working

Medair Global Support Office (GSO), based remotely. A valid local work permit is required. Field travels to Medair programme locations up to 3 times a year and to GSO in Switzerland 1-2 times a year.

Living and working conditions in the field may vary according to context, likely basic and stressful.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. 80% (100% when deployed), open-ended contract.

Key Activity Areas – Emergency Response Management (field deployment)

Strategy

• In coordination with the Head of G-ERT and with programme staff, lead strategic planning and ensure implementation of assessments, quick impact projects and other emergency response activities; ensure adherence to country policies pursuing registration and permissions from local authorities.
• Develop and maintain accountable contact with the field representatives of funding partners to secure sufficient funding for the emergency response and initial programming.
• Coordinate the design of project plans and writing of proposals.
• Ensure Medair is represented in relevant cluster and coordination meetings and inputs into Flash Appeals and Humanitarian Response Plans.

Accountability and Communication

• Ensure monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the implementation of the planned activities in accordance with the approved project proposals and budgets.
• Promote and support the external communication needed for Comms and private fundraising within the team through the Field Communications Officer.

Financial Management

• Ensure minimum financial processes such as cash counts, expense processing, and cash needs forecasts are carried out in a timely manner during an emergency response.

Security Management

• Ensure security management during the emergency response based on adherence to Medair’s security policy and guidelines, and the management of security incidents in a way that protects staff, organisation and assets.

Human Resources Management

• Lead and manage deployed staff on the emergency response team. Provide spiritual leadership as appropriate.
• Support the HR/Finance person(s) on the emergency response team to ensure adherence to Medair HR policies including the recruitment, performance management, development, training and disciplinary action.

Networking and Influence

• Develop and maintain good working relationships with relevant authorities, donors, clusters or other coordination mechanisms, and other key actors including partners, UN, INGOs, local NGOs.

Key Activity Areas – GSO Responsibilities (when not deployed)

Strategic Planning and Preparedness

• Support the development of SOPs, policies, templates, toolkits, and other modules to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Medair emergency response teams globally.
• Support Medair county programmes to respond to new onset emergencies through surge deployment or assistance in developing contingency plans and in-country tools.

Security and Security Training Support

• In coordination with the Security Advisor and Head of G-ERT, provide appropriate and timely security management advice to field teams on a range of topics such as technical specifications, best practice and incident management (as needed).
• Deliver security training courses and capacity building across the organisation, including GSO Briefing and ROC.
• Help administer and maintain the Portfolio online Incident Reporting and Security Plan Tracking systems, including a degree of technical support to field staff, designing analysis reports and uploading historical reports.

Coordination and Communication

• Establish close, strategic, and constructive relationships with bilateral and multilateral aid and humanitarian agencies at regional and headquarter levels to facilitate strategic and appropriate humanitarian response.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international programmes and HQ prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• University degree (Bachelor) and relevant professional experience. Training in security risk / staff management.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written). Working knowledge of French or Arabic desirable.

Experience / Competencies

• 5+ years relevant post qualification experience, of which 2-3 years should be humanitarian (involved in at least one initial emergency response/start-up in an insecure environment) and 1-2 years with Medair.
• Knowledge of humanitarian context, sector standards, Sphere standards, CHS and protection issues.
• Experience in networking and negotiation with donors; ability to secure, manage and report on grants.
• Proven experience in project cycle management and programme funding.
• Willing to deploy within 24 hours and work long hours during an emergency response.

How to apply

Before you apply

Please ensure you are fully aware of the:

a) Medair organisational values.

b) Medair is committed to safeguarding the protection of beneficiaries, volunteers, staff and partners, and particularly children. Therefore, we do not employ staff whose background we understand to be unsuitable for working with children. Medair staff are required to give the utmost respect to, and comply with, Medair’s accountability policies and best practices.

c) Profiles sought and Benefits Package for Global Support Office Staff.

Application Process

To apply, go to this vacancy on our Medair page. Please do not make multiple applications. We will not review email applications. Only English-language applications / CVs will be reviewed.