Regional Humanitarian Coordinator , Trócaire

Trócaire works in partnership with local organisations to overcome poverty and promote justice in developing countries. The Horn & East Africa Regional Office (HEARO) in Nairobi is responsible for the management and implementation of Trócaire’s development and humanitarian programme work in Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, and Uganda. Background to the Role: Given the frequency of natural disasters (such as the recent drought) and conflict in the Horn & East Africa, the humanitarian response programme is the largest programme in the region and continues to grow. This role provides technical advice and support to all of Trócaire’s humanitarian interventions, to programme staff and partners on proposed humanitarian interventions, and consolidates the trainings conducted in recent years with partners on Sphere, Good Enough Guide and LEGS. Reporting to: Assistant Regional Manger Managing: No current line management responsibilities but this may change. Provides technical support to all staff involved in humanitarian interventions, especially one humanitarian programme coordinator and two humanitarian programme/project officers. Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract Duration: 2 years Location of Position Nairobi, Kenya, Trócaire Horn & East Africa Regional Office with frequent regional and international travel Scope of the Role: In close collaboration with Trócaire staff and partners, the post holder will technically advise on country based humanitarian programme work in the region, and manage a small regional programme. The post holder will: ensure that regional humanitarian programme responses address prevention and mitigation; plan and conduct assessments of potential emergencies; evaluate emergency responses; build local emergency response capacity; ensure surveillance systems enable early identification of potential emergencies; provide the lead and surge capacity for early emergency responses, and lead on fundraising and donor liaison for humanitarian interventions. Key Duties & Responsibilities Programmes • Coordinate humanitarian strategy and humanitarian programming (preparedness, response and recovery) across the region; • Coordinate development and implementation of preparedness and contingency plans ensuring a level of consistency across countries; • Support small and medium scale humanitarian responses at country/regional level; • Participate in first phase response team in a large scale emergency; • Assess current and potential local capacity in region, and the capacity of partners, to appropriately respond (pro-actively) to humanitarian situations; • Provide technical leadership and support for Disaster Preparedness and Emergency programmes leading to the development of a DRR approach at country level; • Support country programmes in the region and provide appropriate support, advice and direction in approaches and technical areas of emergency preparedness and disaster mitigation programming to the POs and LNGO’s in the Horn & East Africa; • Ensure that partners are familiar and compliant with donor regulations in the areas of procurement and budget expenditure, and that legal requirements are fulfilled; • Provide or facilitate appropriate training for LNGO staff in the design and management of high quality programmes in emergency response and DRR; • Develop and implement a strategy for dissemination of International Humanitarian Law, Red Cross Code of Conduct and basic humanitarian principles amongst partners; • Submit periodic reports and programme reviews detailing the impact of programmes and lessons learned; • Assist PO’s in monitoring and analysis of disasters in the region, including the political dimension, in order to enhance both response and advocacy; • Provide regular information/situation updates to HEARO and offices in Maynooth/Belfast.

Lead Technical Agency for Ethiopia Joint Programme • Responsible for ensuring provision of humanitarian technical support to Joint Ethiopia Programme (CAFOD/SCIAF/Trócaire) as outlined in the lead agency document; • Act as focal person for ensuring coordination, support and strategic linking between the humanitarian departments of the three agencies.

Monitoring • Constantly monitor the humanitarian situation throughout the region and initiate assessments and responses when indicated.; • Systematically reflect on humanitarian programme experience, research, and overall trends in order to feed into regional programme strategies; • Facilitate project reviews and evaluations as required and ensure their documentation and dissemination; • Ensure monitoring visits to partners are regular and clearly documented with feedback to partners; • Ensure appropriate responses are made to emerging trends in region, including discussion with partners on strategies and programme modification if required.

Networking • Strengthen and build on existing relationships with Humanitarian networks and key stakeholders at different levels including like-minded agencies such as CAFOD, CIDSE / Caritas partners, etc.; • Identify new initiatives/partners, where Trócaire might wish to have a greater focus in the future; • Maintain relationships with donor agencies, Church partners and other groups working on humanitarian programmes, so as to keep informed of main developments; • Work with Trócaire staff and like-minded groups on joint humanitarian advocacy initiatives where appropriate; • Where necessary, liaise with local government officials and ensure that partners keep local authorities informed of Trócaire-supported programmes; • Accompany visitors (Trócaire or external) to the programme and carry out promotional or media work as required.

Finance • Monitor humanitarian programme budgets and expenditure to ensure efficient and effective use of Trócaire and donor funds and resources; • Seek appropriate institutional funding opportunities; • Report to donors on progress and variations on budget expenditures.

Reporting • Oversee preparation of quality reporting on humanitarian interventions for Trócaire and donors; • Keep HEARO & HQ staff and management regularly informed of progress, impact of programme and any problems encountered.

Representation • Participate in appropriate networks to ensure Trócaire is properly represented with regard to humanitarian intervention, including relevant UN cluster meetings; • Work with the media to ensure that Trócaire’s humanitarian work is profiled nationally and internationally.

Other • Undertake other agreed tasks, related to Trócaire’s overall HEARO programme at the request of Assistant Regional Manager.

Person Specification – Essential (E) (E) Qualification: • Graduate level education in development studies or a relevant subject at Masters Level. (E) Experience: • At least 4 years’ experience in working in Humanitarian crises. • Knowledge and experience of managing emergency response, recovery and sustainable livelihoods programmes. • Knowledge and experience of working with humanitarian standards including Sphere, HAP & LEGS. • Knowledge and experience of the key issues and trends in the development sector as a whole but especially on humanitarian issues. (E) Skills: • Ability to manage and build capacity of partner organisations. • Good understanding and experience of project/programme management cycle, and participatory appraisal techniques. • Good understanding of financial management systems and budget development, monitoring and reporting. • Ability to train others. • Demonstrated capacity for analysis and writing. • Good written and oral communications, interpersonal and team work skills. (E) Qualities • Flexible, adaptable and innovative. • Able to work and deliver results with minimal supervision. • Sympathy with and understanding of the Catholic Church’s role in relief and development. (E) Other: • Availability to work outside normal hours and travel extensively within the region and outside when necessary.

How to apply:

To apply, please download application form from www.trocaire.org and return completed forms to Jason Rice, HR Officer, Trocaire, Maynooth, Co Kildare, Ireland. E-mail: jobs@trocaire.ie