Back SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVISOR – INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF & RECOVERY

JOB SUMMARY

Support The Salvation Army in more than 130 countries worldwide to meet immediate needs resulting from natural and manmade disasters. Provides a range of strategic advisory, capacity-building and resource development assistance to The Salvation Army territories; designs and implements disaster recovery programs, strategies, systems, processes, workshops and curricula; collaborates with other SAWSO international program sectors to ensure an integrated approach to local response and preparedness capacity building; conducts training in disaster recovery programs (including strategic self-assessments and community-based facilitation), disaster recovery program management and technical subjects; provides general assistance; develops cooperative relationships with counterparts; provides grant writing assistance; serves as the primary liaison for SAWSO with International Emergency Services (IES) and the National Liaison of Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) in the USA; provides support to IES and country offices for the development and maintenance of disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness strategies; national and international week-long travel required up to two – three months per year.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Provides a range of strategic advisory, capacity-building, and resource development assistance to The Salvation Army territories.

Oversees the transition from disaster relief to recovery in coordination with IES, SAWSO program team and in-country offices.**

• Facilitates the transition from disaster relief to recovery based on SAWSO guidelines and situation analysis, coordinating the hand-over of project oversight from IES to the SAWSO program team.
• Collaborates with other SAWSO sectors, e.g., health, education, etc., to ensure an integrated approach to community-based approach to disaster response and resilience.
• Participates in assessments, with IES and SAWSO program team, to determine disaster recovery and community development needs.
• Provides technical support to these projects as appropriate.

Coordinates support for emergency disaster response with IES and The Salvation Army USA through the National Liaison for EDS.

• Represents SAWSO in liaising with The Salvation Army IES and The Salvation Army USA (TSA USA) related to international disaster response.

● Assists in the formation of International Disaster Relief & Recovery policies and procedures

• Coordinates with IES on rapid response to disasters, including coordination of funding, personnel and logistical support requested by IES, and technical support of all rapid response proposals.
• Oversees the processing, review, and approval of rapid relief funding requests.
• Serves as the backstop to IHQ rapid response projects working with disaster impacted territories for SAWSO-funded disaster relief projects, including review of reports, budgets, and work plans.
• Conducts evaluations of disaster response activities and compiles lessons-learned in collaboration with IES and other major stakeholders.
• Responds to all disaster related public inquiries, including vendors, providing up-to-date information.
• Participate in disaster services committees or forums at NHQ and IHQ

Collaborates with National Headquarters’ resource development department to acquire and oversee disaster-related grants and private contributions.

• Supports the facilitation of rapid disaster relief funding to IES and The Salvation Army country offices following disasters.
• Oversees the procurement of US government funding, particularly with USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance and US Department of State’s Bureau of Population & Migration, in collaboration with resource development department. To include, but not limited to, grant writing, partnering with other Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs), and working in collaboration with National Headquarters’ resource development department.
• Develops and maintains relationships with counterparts at other U.S. PVOs, leading to funding partnerships for disaster relief and recovery.

Supports the development and management of disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness strategies with International Emergency Services, and in-country offices.**

• Participates in the development of guidelines and tools for emergency preparedness, and risk reduction in cooperation with IES and in-country offices, in line with established SAWSO and IES policies and priorities.
• Collaborates with other SAWSO sectors to ensure an integrated approach in strengthening risk reduction and preparedness within local Salvation Army institutions such as schools, health facilities, and other community-based activities.
• Helps communities become more resilient to, and reduce the risks of, disasters by promoting the integration of disaster risk reduction practices into ongoing SAWSO-funded programs in disaster-prone countries or regions in cooperation with IES.
• Coordinates with IES to assist The Salvation Army implementing territories to develop emergency preparedness plans.

Travels to implementing territories, international headquarters, or development/donor offices as needed (2-3 months per year).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university AND a master’s degree in a field related to the sector (i.e., disaster response, humanitarian assistance, international affairs, peace and conflict resolution, etc.),

and

ten years of directly related professional experience in providing technical and knowledge driven solutions in disaster preparedness and relief and recovery program design, AND five years of senior-level program management experience,

and

three years of experience living in a developing country and working with international disaster programs (such as disaster response, humanitarian assistance, mitigation) preferably in a management role,

or

any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Technical expertise in the international disaster relief and recovery sector, including in-depth knowledge of international quality assurance mechanisms and standards for disasters, (SPHERE, the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership, Do No Harm, People in Aid Code of Good Practice, and International Red Cross Codes of Conduct).

Experience working with the UN, National Governments, and INGOs for coordinating an emergency response.

Knowledge of and experience with disaster programs and their requirements, including writing proposals, providing support for donor-funded activities, including United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and UN (OCHA, IOM, etc.) funded projects, and ensuring both financial and programmatic compliance.

Understanding of current international disaster and community development theory, practice, and trends. (Specific experience with faith-based approaches to development is strongly preferred.)

Experience in international emergency response monitoring, assessment, and data collection methodologies.

*** Benefits after 90 days. Free lunch and underground parking.