Emergency Response Planning Specialist, Migrant Bus Response

POSITION SUMMARY:

The HIAS Emergency Department upholds our mission to support refugees and displaced populations in times of crisis. We are seeking passionate humanitarian professionals to join our initiative to help serve and respond to humanitarian emergencies.

HIAS seeks an experienced Emergency Response Planning Specialist to join the coalition of organizations responding to the migrants bussed from Texas and Arizona to Washington DC. HIAS is looking for a candidate with a demonstrated background in emergency response and complex humanitarian programming, with particular emphasis in planning and information sharing.

The Emergency Response Planning Specialist will be responsible for linking different pieces of an interorganizational response and the diverse emergency needs of the arriving population to responding organizations that are able to assist. This coordination will focus on high-level information management, as well as matching organizations with opportunities to provide support to the response efforts on a daily basis. As this interorganizational response evolves and more organizations join, this role will become increasingly important.

The Emergency Response Planning Specialist is responsible for coordinating and linking emergency activities between different organizations, acting as an interlocutor and key point of contact to ensure continuity of operations. Among other tasks, core responsibilities of the Emergency Response Planning Specialist include, but are not limited to, leading rapid needs assessments, compiling regular situational reports to be shared with response partners, conducting stakeholder mapping, informing the response via other responding cities situations and best practices, and engaging in relevant coordination fora, designing the response in direct and regular collaboration with responding organizations, to the extent possible, coordinating with response teams in New York City, Chicago and others, as well as, where needed, identifying appropriate local partners to support implementation and liaising for onward receptions of the arriving population.

Note, this is a full-time, temporary position that starts ASAP and ends 6 months later, with possible extension.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Coordinates and gathers best practices with responses in other cities (New York City, Chicago, border cities/locations and others), helping to improve response methodology; this includes working on preparedness relationships with cities that have not yet received migrants from the border.
• As a key interlocutor, works to compile the development of interorganizational implementation plans, including reinforcing links between border sites, initial arrivals, midterm programming and longer-term programming, including at the final destinations.
• Directs management of scoping and rapid needs assessments, develops an integrated emergency response plan and oversees response plan implementation with support from HIAS’ Emergency Department, Global Public Affairs and U.S. Programs teams; these activities are conducted by HIAS to contribute to the larger response organization cohort.
• Ensures that all responding organizations are aware of humanitarian developments and the response to them, providing them with regular Situation Reports, response partner lists, stakeholder analyses and other information and reporting materials as requested.
• Assists the HIAS Development and Institutional Development teams with donor concept notes and proposal development for emergency funding mechanisms, as needed.
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with all implementing partners, including non-governmental organizations, governments and volunteer organizations; this will include acting as a liaison among response partners via both formal and informal coordination structures.
• Ensures adequate monitoring and reporting of emergency activities and implementation, in accordance with international standards.
• Identifies and provides emergency response training resources and tools as needed.
• Where appropriate, serves as point of contact in ensuring timely and accurate information provision to the Global Public Affairs team in support of communications and advocacy efforts around this response; this will include ensuring that all information, publicity and fundraising material recognizes and respects the dignity of those affected by disasters or emergencies.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree in a related field required; graduate degree preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in emergency/humanitarian response, with at least 3 years of field experience and demonstrated field management experience in emergency programming.
• English fluency required; Spanish fluency preferred.
• Dynamic individual with a proven ability to achieve results in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated experience in interorganizational diplomacy and communication between independent organizations within a common response framework.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting needs assessment in emergency-affected areas.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-donor (including large institutional emergency donors), multi-sector programs in an emergency context.
• Demonstrated experience speaking with the media and demonstrated experience with public speaking.
• Experience in both direct implementation as well as sub-partner management preferred, including partner mapping, assessment and selection.
• Demonstrated experience in project design and concept note and proposal drafting (including budgeting); experience working with implementing partners and drafting proposals involving sub-partner arrangements preferred.
• Experience working within both the US Emergency Management Incident Command System as well as the UN Cluster System preferred.
• Preferred experience with DC organizational actors.
• Ability to work well with others and rapidly adapt to new countries/contexts.

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 or ESR.

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 • הכנסת אורחים (Hachnasat Orchim)

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • צדק (Tzedek)

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • חסד (Chesed)

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • חברותא (Chevruta)

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • אומץ (Ometz)

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • רוח (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.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.