Country: United States of America
Closing date: 10 Aug 2016
BASIC PURPOSE: The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is seeking an Executive Secretary (Manager) of International Disaster Response who will assist in leading the department in the Atlanta office, while overseeing the United Methodist emergency/disaster and response efforts. This person will report to the Assistant General Secretary (Director) of International Disaster Response (IDR).
MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Managing grants provided to partner organizations; evaluating grant applications, providing feedback and recommendations to grantee and UMCOR supervisor; reviewing reports; conducting occasional related monitoring visits.
Strengthening the capacity of UMCOR field offices and partners worldwide to prepare for and respond to disasters, through provision of program support and guidance, training, mentoring and structured feedback.
Conducting site visits to support and monitor partners as appropriate.
Monitoring new and ongoing emergencies and disasters, emerging trends and issues in the humanitarian sector, and international relief efforts on a daily basis.
Coordinating and communicating regularly with local partners, local authorities, and/or peer organizations to conduct needs assessments; collecting information; making recommendations for new programs; and monitoring ongoing activities.
Making strategic recommendations on involvement in, and resource allocation for, emergency and disaster response.
Working closely with UMCOR Grants Operations Manager to monitor and evaluate progress, strengthen capacity for grants management, and ensure transparency and accountability within UMCOR and with donors and implementing partners.
Recruiting, training and managing support staff, volunteers, and interns as necessary. Managing and working with individuals.
Representing the program and UMCOR to church and other partners, as needed. Preparing and delivering presentations and briefings for internal and external audiences.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Grants Making:
To cultivate and develop potential IDR implementing partners and maintain partner contact information.
To proactively engage with partners in the wake of disasters and explore possible disaster response activities.
To review partner proposals and budgets, suggest improvements, and otherwise respectfully coach partners in current best practices of humanitarian assistance.
To summarize and promote viable grants to agency leadership for their review and approval.
To review grant reports and provide feedback to partners.
To organize and maintain information related to IDR grants
To prepare reports and analyses on IDR grants.
Representation, Fundraising and Networking:
To represent UMCOR in United Methodist, humanitarian, and ecumenical forums and contribute to technical interactions and discussions on the same.
To support the objectives of the Communications and Development Department in telling the UMCOR story.
To build and strengthen significant relationships between UMCOR partners, INGOs, UN, institutional donors and relevant government departments.
Programme Development and Implementation:
To prepare regular reports on IDR activities and the disaster context for UMCOR program’s donors and quarterly reports as needed.
To develop and adjust strategies and protocols for IDR programming in light of current humanitarian assistance best practices, global developments, and local contexts.
To ensure effective technical support of the program including the development of effective reporting system.
Programme Monitoring and Evaluation:
- To conduct paper reviews of IDR programs. To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the IDR programs in the field.
Capacity Building:
To identify the needs and support development of staff and partners to increase their competence.
To provide training to develop the capacity of UMCOR’s IDR partners
Travel:
The Executive Secretary for IDR is expected to spend approximately up to 40% of each month representing UMCOR and assessing IDR projects in the field.
Deployments on short notice may be required as part of this role.
REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent required. MA preferred. Degree in Humanitarian Assistance, Emergency Management, International Development, International Relations, Global Health or a related field desired.
Three to five years of experience working in humanitarian relief and development sector is required, while living or working abroad preferred.
Proven experience in managing Emergency Response Operations/Disaster Risk Reduction/Preparedness with international NGOs.
Proven experience in review, monitoring and evaluation of programs; using of quantitative and qualitative methods and approaches to support of program development.
Strong and well developed analytical skills coupled with experience of writing reports that are usable by different stakeholders.
Proven experience developing and facilitating capacity strengthening and quality training curriculums.
Sound knowledge and commitment to participatory approaches to working with communities.
Proficiency using a variety of capacity building tools and techniques.
Familiarity with the Hugo framework, SPHERE Standards, Do ‘No harm’ policy, Red-Cross/Red-Crescent Code of Conduct Development.
Familiarity and experience with incorporation of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies into disaster preparedness and response activities highly desirable.
Familiarity and experience in different humanitarian aid and development sectors, including but not limited to Water/Sanitation/Hygiene (WASH), Security and Logistics, Shelter and Reconstruction, Livelihoods, and Education highly desirable.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Access and PowerPoint), SharePoint, and basic bookkeeping.
Experience working with a faith-based organization or familiarity with the United Methodist Church a plus.
Excellent written and spoken English and fluency in a second language highly desired, French or Spanish preferred.
Strong skills in negotiation, coordination, project management, communication, and reporting.
Good interpersonal skills, diplomacy and patience.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills essential.
Ability to be flexible in fast-paced environment and strategize under pressure.
Ability to work effectively in a post-disaster environment and in remote regions with limited resources.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Ability to communicate well in a variety of settings and to function in a diverse workforce.
Understand and respect cultural, religious, and political environments and use diplomacy when working with the staff, local partners, local authorities, and beneficiary population.
Willingness to travel up to 40% domestically and internationally, potentially to insecure environments or disaster sites, and possibly on short notice. mmm
How to apply:
Please apply through this link: http://www.umcmission.org/Learn-About-Us/About-Global-Ministries/Careers
