Director, Lutheran Disaster Response

About the ELCA:

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states, Caribbean and U.S. Virgin Islands. With a vision to live in a world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ makes for all people and creation, the ELCA strives to be a welcoming, thriving and connected church that introduces people to Jesus so they can discover community, justice and love.

The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation. We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries: The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union.

About the position:

This position oversees the Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) global grants and programs. Collaborates closely with the Service & Justice Area Desks in responding to disasters internationally and collaborates closely with synods, congregation and LDR affiliates / partners in responding to disasters that occur in the US and US territories.

This position will require embodying the values of accompaniment; taking a critical view of grants and programming as well as taking bold steps in aligning our international and domestic granting program.

This is a full-time, regular, remote position.

Responsibilities:

1. Strategic planning, budget development, direction setting and supervision of the Lutheran Disaster Response team.

2. Administers the humanitarian assistance grants funded through Lutheran Disaster Response. In collaboration with members of the BRC team and Service & Justice colleagues, this position oversees the design, implementation, evaluation and learning of disaster response, preparedness and resiliency initiatives.

3. Represents the ELCA in representative functions with synods, congregations, Lutheran ministries, companion churches, ecumenical partners and other external audience.

4. Works with the Program Director, LDR Initiatives on ongoing resiliency and preparedness programs and to further develop the breadth and depth of the LDR network.

5. Leads strategy, creation and execution of planning, monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and learning of Lutheran Disaster Response grants.

6. Reviews communication content related to LDR appeals, situation reports and other print and social media posts from DevComm for accuracy and clarity.

7. Supervisors six positions on the team as direct reports.

8. Performs other duties as required.

Requirements:

1. Five to eight years of experience in appropriate education and/or directly related experience in one or more of the following areas: grants management, program and finance management, humanitarian assistance, emergency response, disaster preparedness, non-profit management, research methodology, operations and administration. Experience with diverse constituents preferred.

2. Demonstrated leadership qualities, depth and breadth of technical, management, and evaluation expertise for complex programs. This includes: Direct experience overseeing international and domestic disaster response programs; familiarity with the concepts of Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (PMERL) and narrative analysis focused on outcomes, changes, and results through case studies, production of quotes, anecdotes, testimonies, storytelling, and stories of transformation.

3. Demonstrated ability to manage and lead people and projects and work collaboratively in a team-based, multi-tiered environment.

4. Ability to engage effectively in cross-cultural program planning, decision-making, and team building; understanding of the dynamics of decision-making within complex and multi-cultural church and non-profit systems.

5. Strong financial, budgeting, personnel, and management skills and ability to oversee and contribute to complex systems of program development and implementation.

6. Familiarity with Christian stewardship, humanitarian assistance, development work, hunger and poverty issues

7. Exemplary interpersonal communication skills; ability to effectively present both verbal and written information in a clear manner.

8. Expertise with word processing software, use of database for reference and merging. Familiarity with Fluxx grants management system.

9. Exceptional commitment to timeliness; excellent organizational skills; ability to manage multiple, diverse projects simultaneously and under time pressures; ability to prioritize projects.

10. Ability to develop systems for capturing impact with both qualitative and quantitative measurements.

Physical Effort: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel Frequency: Considerable travel; up to 25%. Position requires travel by plane, car or train. Valid driver’s license required.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Minimum: $72, 842.

Benefits: The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA’s, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer a generous paid time-off policy including 11 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date.