Established in 1949, SOS Children’s Villages International is a dynamic, international social development organization working globally to meet the needs and protect the interests and rights of orphaned and vulnerable children.

Within the Eastern and Southern Africa region, SOS CV International is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and has member associations in Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Somali/Somaliland, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, Angola and Madagascar.

Mission of the position:

The Regional Emergency Response Advisor plays a key role in supporting the Member Associations (MAs) to be prepared for emergency response. He / she is the central interface for all emergency related issues in the region. The position involves the monitoring, evaluation, communication and coordination of emergency programmes in the region. This involves providing expert advice to key stakeholders in MAs and the federation.

Key Performance Areas and Responsibilities

•  Monitor together with Members Associations (MAs) humanitarian crisis in the region feeding into the global alert system
• Collaborate with Emergency Response (ER) network (global ER Director, Regional CVI Representatives, Regional Cluster PD Advisors) on an on-going basis and provide information instantly on on-going emergencies and or crisis situations to the network
• Coordinate training (in and out-house) and capacity building measures to Regional ER team in collaboration with regional Human Resources & Organizational Development team, ER network, partners, external trainers
• Link to regional ER team members and network in the region with externals and established partnerships
• Provide advice and support regarding emergency-related IPD grants, highlighting any issues around programme quality, implementation and reporting.
• Participate in regional forums and conferences focusing on topics relating to emergency response and humanitarian assistance.
•  Play an active role in regional IPD networks, with a view to taking a lead in discussions when funding opportunities arise (i.e. calls for proposals; grant submissions, etc.).
• Strengthen internal emergency communications through interviews and articles posted online (and where relevant, for use externally).
• Initiate, together with the global Emergency Response Director the first stages of an ER through coordination with vested parties at national / regional level
• Provide timely updates and advise to the International Director Region to facilitate the rapid response and decision-making that is required
• Provide guidance to the national colleagues on every aspect of emergency programme implementation (assessment, implementation, monitoring & evaluation) and ensure compliance with established protocols
• Advise MA colleagues and quality check emergency standard documents (Humanitarian Appeal, Crisis Response form, Project documentation) in collaboration with regional functions
• Coordinate internal information management on emergency operations in close cooperation with other stakeholders in the region.
• Feed information and collate lessons learnt and best practices in security in order to set SOP (standard operational procedures) for each emergency setting
• Liaise with regional Finance team to ensure efficient fund transfer and financial administrative procedures (budget, cash flow plan, request for transfers, accounting financial reporting)
• Provide direction in medium-high-level or complex / cross-country emergency operations, where MA capacity is limited and General Secretariat (GSC) support is needed (case-based)
• Engage in regional partnerships and networks and lay the ground for local partnerships
• Recruitment of key internal and external consultants for the ERPs in the region (such as security advisors, logistic and procurement experts

Supervisor: Regional Director of Programme Development ESAF

Region: East and Southern Africa (ESAF)

Position requirements

• University degree in Disaster Management or Development Studies, Social Sciences, International Relations or equivalent working experience
• Minimum 5 years of experience in humanitarian aid and/or development work in multi-cluster INGOs
• Experience and knowledge of emergency project management including emergency needs assessment, project design, development and implementation
• Proven experience in working in unstable environments and in implementing security policy / protocols
• Good understanding of humanitarian issues and sympathy with the aims and objectives of the organization; commitment to humanitarian principles and the Red Cross and INGO’s code of conduct
• High level analytical skills and ability to think strategically and implement
• Excellent organizational and problem solving skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Proven management and leadership skills
• Competent to work with significant levels of autonomy and as a team player
• Ability at being flexible and adapt to changing situations
• Strong resilience to physical and psychological stress and strains
• Ability and willingness to work in an intercultural team environment
• Experience or education in one of the following fields is an asset: child protection in emergencies, health, nutrition, wash.
• Country knowledge in terms of its political, economic and social trends is an asset
• Excellent English language skills verbal and in written is required
• Knowledge of MS Office (Excel, Powerpoint, etc.)