Emergency Response Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Director, Emergency & Humanitarian Programs, the Emergency Response Manager will assist with the coordination of trainings and the development of Emergency Preparedness Response Plans, as well as coordinate closely with the Roster & Deployment Specialist to train and deploy staff for emergency responses. This role will be instrumental to the planning, coordination and implementation of humanitarian and emergency interventions, including rapid assessments, resource mobilization and technical areas of intervention.

The Emergency Response Manager will be responsible for supporting country offices with the drafting, revision, update and development of Country Office Emergency Preparedness & Response Plans in the country, making sure they align with emergency preparedness and response protocols developed by the Emergency Department. Emergency preparedness and humanitarian response plans will be integrated in the Emergency & International Programs Strategy, in addition to the production of data related to humanitarian settings.

The Emergency Response Manager will work in close collaboration with Human Resources, regional staff, Technical Directors and country office leadership to strengthen emergency preparedness and provide humanitarian adapted assistance to crisis-affected communities, promoting innovation, quality and linking humanitarian and development work.

The Emergency Response Manager will assure coordination and linkages between regular and emergency programs to ensure integration of HIAS’ mandate within all strategic plans. During deployment, the Emergency Response Manager is responsible for representing, leading and coordinating the emergency response portfolio of HIAS in the country, and they will also provide support in the humanitarian context with risk analysis.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Serves as emergency subject matter expert across all departments to incorporate humanitarian best practices into external and internal tools and communication materials produced by HIAS; this may include recommendations to Senior Director, Emergency & Humanitarian Programs on necessary changes within divisions to ensure programmatic capacity to respond to emergencies.
• Participates in field humanitarian needs assessments in rapid-onset and on-going emergency settings, and serves in various roles on emergency response teams as required; produces succinct written and oral summaries and analyses of humanitarian conditions.
• Works in tandem with the Director, Emergency & Humanitarian Programs to coordinate with International Programs, Executive Office, Institutional Development and country offices, as well as to assess capacity and produce a gap analysis for use in identifying needs for capacity development of country office teams’ understanding of humanitarian principles, operating systems and ability to flex in times of emergency.

• Humanitarian & Emergency Response Strategy Development & Implementation:

  • Develops and periodically revises Emergency Preparedness & Response Plans (EPRPs) at regional and country office level, including workshops, tools presentation and finalization with the bases of a practical document that will serve as a base for emergency responses.
  • Supports regional and country office staff on the coordination of the emergency response, using the EPRPs whenever possible.
  • Ensures that emergency response-related programs are aligned with the national and sectors strategies, and that they are relevant and of high quality for HIAS’ mission.
  • Provides overall guidance and direction focusing on achieving agreed targets and long-term strategic objectives.
  • Identifies and evaluates the risks and possible threats associated with program humanitarian activities and takes appropriate action to control the risks, communicating and collaborating regularly with the Emergency Department, regional and country office staff and Operations staff.

• Emergency Roster Capacity-Building Development:

  • Serves as overall lead for scheduling, development and delivery of regular training for engagement with HIAS’ emergency roster.
  • In close coordination with the Roster & Deployment Specialist, monitors maintenance of roster participants and schedules regular engagement.

• External Humanitarian Engagement:

  • As designated by the Emergency Department, serves as focal point in charge of communicating and reporting with humanitarian and emergency response donors.
  • Engages and represents HIAS in relevant sector working groups or other external meetings, ensuring leadership in the sectors relevant for the organization and making sure HIAS is represented in coordination and advocacy efforts.
  • Proactively ensures HIAS’ humanitarian work reputation as a key actor implementing programming consistently representing HIAS and participates in humanitarian network opportunities.
  • Engages and supports in fundraising and development of relationships with potential donors.

• Emergency Response Program Quality & Growth:

  • Coordinates closely and at time leads on assessments to inform program development initiatives for innovative programming.
  • Identifies new partners and key stakeholders to collaborate with to expand/deepen HIAS’ humanitarian portfolio.
  • Maintains open and professional relations with Technical Managers, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
  • Ensures proper communication within the program team, making sure that the humanitarian strategy, decisions and future endeavors are shared in a transparent manner.
  • Initiates and implements internal trainings where required.

• Humanitarian Activities:

  • Supports the emergency interventions of HIAS during emergency deployment as per the employee’s abilities.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree in emergency management, international affairs or related field required; graduate degree preferred.
• 4-6 years of related experience, with at least 1 year working in an international humanitarian setting, ideally in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience working with and/or managing humanitarian rosters and deployment to emergency settings.
• Knowledge of the humanitarian and emergency actors, coordination structures and roles and responsibilities.
• Strong analytical, coordination and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to lead and manage teams to achieve demonstrable results.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the emergency management cycle and/or international humanitarian preparedness, response and early recovery program methodologies, monitoring and evaluation techniques and grants administration.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; Foreign language fluency preferred, especially Spanish and/or French.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and meet conflicting deadlines with a minimum of supervision.
• Excellent ability to handle multiple tasks and many administrative details in a fast-paced and constantly changing environment.
• Extremely flexible and can cope with stressful situations and frustrations.

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

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