Back Deployed Emergency Response Manager (ERM)

The Organization

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries

The Purpose

Plan International Jordan is responding to the Gaza Crisis both in Jordan inside Jerash Camp and inside Gaza through partners. The post underscores Plan International Jordan's strategic alignment with its mission and broader humanitarian objectives by detailing its response to the Gaza Crisis through rapid deployment of resources and partnership activities in both Jordan and Gaza. The inclusion of the Emergency Response Manager (ERM) role, with responsibilities in Amman and field operations to support in interventions inside Jerash camp and Gaza, illustrates a commitment to effective leadership and coordination of humanitarian responses, ensuring that Plan Jordan's strategic and mission-aligned initiatives are executed efficiently and effectively. This approach not only enhances the organization's capability to respond to immediate crises but also contributes to its reputation as a reliable and effective humanitarian organization, capable of addressing the needs of vulnerable populations in diverse and challenging contexts. The Emergency Response Manager (ERM) post will be based in Amman with frequent travel to field as needed.

Dimensions of Role:

The Deployed Emergency Response Manager will lead and manage the Gaza Response. The ERM will work on strengthening the overall strategy and approach of the programme. The deployed ERM is the main focal point of the Emergency Response inside Gaza and will have a 30% regional role where he/she will be expected to support the complementarities and coordination with both Egypt and Lebanon (as relevant). The ERM is responsible to bring improvements in the development, coordination and management of the program activities.

Typical Responsibilities - Key End Results of Position:

1. Assessment, Programme Design and Planning

• In collaboration with the Business Development Team at the Country Office, identify funding opportunities with National Offices and lead/support strategy and concept development with the Technical Specialists
• Ensure the Country Director, GH DRM Director, and the Regional Disaster Risk Management Manager are kept informed about assessment progress, emergency response implementation and strategies, project plans, progress reports, and other significant developments.
• Pro-actively networks and build external relations and support or lead fund raising efforts and build up a portfolio of grants to finance to meet the funding target of the response plan in close coordination with the Business Development Unit.
• Support the development and design of all external proposals, budgets and reports. Ensure they are completed to the highest possible standard

1. Emergency Project Management and Implementation
   • Support and supervise the project life cycle management of the current programs, including but not limited to:
   • Ensure adequate monitoring, reporting and acquittal of emergency activities in accordance with Plan’s DRM vision and implementation strategy, policies and protocols.
   • Ensure that different sectoral activities are implemented in a coordinated and cohesive manner in line with work plans and donor commitments.
   • Ensure emergency activities are carried out in accordance with the International standards that includes Sphere Minimum Standards, Humanitarian Charter in disaster response, INEE Minimum Standard, Child Protection Minimum Standard in Humanitarian Action and Core humanitarian standard.
   • Strengthen linkages across all program departments to ensure a strong, coherent program approach in line with the Emergency Response and Recovery Program
   • Conduct regular program monitoring visits to program locations when feasible (depending on security situation)
2. General Management and Leadership

• Establish and maintain constructive working relationships with other NGOs, UN agencies, the respective government, bilateral and multilateral donors, and other principle stakeholders.
• Participate in ERMT meetings to share about the update on the ongoing response.
• Attend all the relevant coordination and working groups whenever applicable at National level as well as when feasible/present at field base.
• Attend the ERMT as well as other management meeting to ensure sharing updates about the ongoing response and raised any concern and challenges to get management support and ensure it action points.
• Promote a productive work environment with zero tolerance for verbal or physical mis-conduct, or discrimination against other persons on the grounds of race, colour, sex or creed i.e. the Red Cross and NGO Code of Conduct ; PSEA and safeguarding policy.
• Support country-wide disaster management capacity building initiatives

1. Human Resources

• Recommend changes to Emergency Response team composition and functioning with Country Office and partners to maximise emergency programme quality and effectiveness.
• Monitor ongoing human resources issues and make recommendations and adjustments accordingly including the organisational structure in the Gaza Response.

1. Advocacy

• In collaboration with other NGOs and UN agencies (whenever applicable) identify key advocacy messages relating to the Gaza response.

1. Safety and Security

• Support and provide advice to CO Security focal points regarding safety management and security of project staff & facilities in the project areas.

1. Organizational Capacity Building

• Ensure the program good practices and lessons learned are shared within the organization
• In collaboration with the HR Officer, develop capacity building plan for ER staffs

Key External Contacts

Other INGOs and local partners; Cluster leads, UN Agencies and other key donors; Government authorities at national and district level and National Offices

Dealing with Problems:

• The post-holder will make rapid assessments of situations and then make judgments for the organization on strategic choices and action often with inadequate information
• The job requires decisions to be made on the basis of assumption and experience, as little hard information will be available. Decisions need to be context specific and there will often be no precedents to draw upon.
• Management judgment will be required to negotiate and influence local Plan teams to take steps to respond in ways that may be new or worrisome in contexts that are stressful to all involved
• Decisions may affect the lives of thousands of disaster affected children, millions of dollars, security of staff, and the profile of Plan across the humanitarian sector and across media.
• Excellent risk-assessment and management is required to support decisions that may require overcoming attitudinal, systemic and physical barriers.

Communications and Working Relationships:

The Deployed Emergency Response Manager will lead the Gaza emergency response. The ERM will be reporting directly to the Country Director and will work closely with all Jordan Country Management Team (CMT); mainly the Head of Programmes, Head of Technical and Quality Unit and the Business Development Manager. The ERM time will be distributed: 70% with Plan International Jordan Office (PIJO) and 30% with the Regional Hub – mainly between Plan International Egypt Office and Plan International Lebanon Office.

Key internal contacts

• Country Director; Head of Programmes; Head of Technical and Quality Unit; Business Development Manager; Operations Manager; Finance Manager; People & Culture Manager; Head of PMU.
• Weekly contact & briefing with concerning NOs

Key external contacts

• Government authorities;
• Key donors
• National Organisations
• National Clusters Lead
• UN Agencies
• NGO Heads of Agencies
• District authorities

Reporting lines

• The ERM reports to the Country Director and work closely with the entire Country Management Team (CMT).
• The ERM functionally consults on technical aspects of the ongoing response to the Regional DRM Head and Global Technical Leads (CPIE, EIE, Cash Specialist and Gender in Emergency Specialist)

Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours’ Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Plan or like organisations’ policies and procedures, Sphere and the Red Cross/ NGO Code of Conduct; and other humanitarian international standards especially Core Humanitarian Standard
• Requires program design and proposal development, general finance, administration, information management and telecommunication skills and proficiency in information technology/ computer skills.

Skills and behaviour

• Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train local and international staff and also able to work with disaster affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills. Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of Plan.
• Works with trustworthiness and integrity and has a clear commitment to Plan’s core values and humanitarian principles.
• Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress, high security risks and harsh living conditions. Works and lives with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner.
• Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity.
• Have experience and the ability to live and work in diverse cultural contexts in a culturally appropriate manner.
• Has a capacity to make accurate self-assessment particularly in high stress and high security contexts.
• Is well planned and organized even within a fluid working environment and has a capacity for initiative and decision making with competent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Experience

• Proven relevant humanitarian aid experience in complex emergencies
• High level of all aspects of managerial experience, including managing million euros budgets
• Experience in complex decision making and leading a multi-disciplinary, multi-national team under difficult circumstances
• High level of expertise in representation and negotiation with governments and donors
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian emergency operating context, including Sphere, the humanitarian system, donors, security, civil military liaison and program management

Physical Environment and Demands:

Periods of intense work.

Level of Contact with Children:

Mid contact: Occasional direct interaction with children when at the IDPs camps/evacuation centre

Physical location:

Based in Amman, Jordan

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

• We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential
• We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace
• We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.

Contractual Conditions

Type of Role: Emergency Response

Contract Duration: 6 months

Reports to: Country Director

Location: Multiple

Grade: 17

Closing date: 30 April 2024