ERO Emergency Response Officer JD (234 kB) - Cafod

EMERGENCY RESPONSE OFFICER(12 month contract – London Based)Ref: (Job Code)Job DescriptionJob PurposeThe Emergency Response Officer (ERO) has a global remit to contribute to the delivery of effective and high qualityhumanitarian assistance, emergency preparedness, and disaster risk reduction in CAFOD's programmes. Workingwith partners is central to CAFOD’s humanitarian response and the ERO will play an important role in improvingand developing the capacity of partners to prepare for, mitigate the impact of, and respond to disasters byproviding support, knowledge and building long-term capacity. All roles undertaken by the ERO will have the aimof achieving peace, security and recovery in accordance with CAFOD’s mission and values.Job ScopeThe post holder’s specific tasks and objectives will be set out in an annual work plan.CAFOD’s humanitarian response comes before during and after emergencies. The three core areas in which wework are:(a) Capacity building of partners in areas such as Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), programme management, foodsecurity, nutrition and financial management.(b) Facilitation, in which we work alongside partners to help ensure the delivery of a programme. This is our mostcommon way of working.(c) Implementation, where CAFOD takes on a more direct implementation role in the delivery of a programmewhen local partners lack the capacity to scale up rapidly.A key component of this role is to be a part of CAFOD's Humanitarian Department emergency response and surgecapacity.AccountabilityThe post holder will report to the head of the relevant unit or Regional Humanitarian Coordinator depending on thepost’s location within the Department. The role does/does not have line management responsibilities. The roledoes/does not have budget responsibilities.Key ResponsibilitiesEmergency response Provide expertise and capacity to respond to new and ongoing humanitarian crises. Provide technical support and guidance to CAFOD programme staff and partner organisations on thedelivery of high quality assistance in relief, rehabilitation and recovery phases of humanitarian response andpreparedness, as well as in disaster risk reduction. In liaison with CAFOD programme departments, monitor humanitarian crises worldwide, support corporatedecision making on responses to these crises through field level needs assessment, desk studies, and1/6 Jul-13

supporting the development and design of programme responses. This will include monitoring chronic crisiswork.When required, provide field level operational support, including needs assessment, monitoring andevaluation, programme leadership and management of CAFOD staff, partner organisations and inter-agencyresponse teams responding to humanitarian crises, sometimes at very short notice and for extended periodsof time.Play key role within CAFOD ‘surge capacity’ function through engagement with emergency responsesincluding those coordinated by Caritas Internationalis.Identify opportunities for scaling up CAFOD’s humanitarian work. Support the work of the HumanitarianFunding Team in the development of proposals for institutional funding and reporting to donors.Support the management of planning and implementation of humanitarian programmes, including thosefunded by CAFOD, DEC or Caritas appeals or donor grants, in accordance with CAFOD polices andprocedures.Programme quality, systems and standards Promote the delivery of high quality and appropriate assistance in CAFOD's humanitarian programmes. Support the implementation and maintenance of systems and procedures for ensuring good practice andmeeting sectoral standards on accountability and programme quality, including the Red Cross Code ofConduct and the SPHERE standards, in the department and wider organisation. Promote compliance withHAP-I standards on accountability to beneficiaries. Work with CAFOD’s climate change and DRR advisors in coordinating and providing technical support inlivelihoods, DRR and climate change adaptation. Engage with policy staff, in particular the Humanitarian Policy Adviser, to ensure CAFOD’s humanitarianpolicy and advocacy is coherent and effective, and informed by our experience and that of our partners. Hold prime responsibility for a particular thematic area of the department’s work, if required.Representation and communication Represent CAFOD at interagency fora for the purposes of coordination of response and sectoral policydevelopment. Develop supporter communications and work with the media, writing and undertaking interviews both onradio and TV. Provide support within a Caritas Internationals-coordinated humanitarian response. Build and strengthen relationships with sister agencies and agencies of strategic importance. Work flexibly within in the team environment of the HD, supporting other tasks within the unit byagreement with line management.International travel and workUndertake frequent travel connected with management of the country/thematic programmes and theachievement of strategic objectives for up to six to nine months per year (possibly more in exceptionalcircumstances) and to undertake the above tasks in project worldwide, sometimes in insecure environmentsand at short notice. This would include blocks of 12 weeks travel and in exceptional circumstancesoccasionally longer periods.Work flexibly within in the team environment of the Humanitarian Department, undertaking suitable othertasks as required.If needed lead and manage a particular thematic area of the department’s work.This list of duties and responsibilities is by no means exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other relevantand appropriate duties as required. This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification.2/6 Jul-13

Child Protection

Key CompetenciesEssentialUnderstanding our contextWorking togetherMaking change happenJob specific competencies:A Understanding Catholicidentity: Demonstrates anunderstanding of the beliefsand practices of the catholicchurchB Understanding CAFOD;D Managing ourselves: Able tomake sound independentdecisions in complexcircumstances whereinformation may be unclearE Working with others; ProvenH Managing resources;experience of monitoringbudgets; abilities in capacitybuilding and training of staffI Achieving results; provenexperience of successfullyI. Educated to degree level ORequivalent professionalexperience in a relevant field.II. Previous experience in ahumanitarian programmeActively supports CAFOD’svision, mission and values andwhat we aim to achieveC Understanding internationaldevelopment: Commitment toand demonstrated experienceof working with humanitariansuccesses in working withcommunity basedorganisations and localpartners in the delivery ofhumanitarian programmes andcapacity building, particularlyin preparedness and response;delivering an operationalemergency programmesoverseas or in differenthumanitarian contexts; willtackle conflicts or problems ina balanced wayJ Managing our performance;environment overseas OR inmore than one humanitariancontextIII. Good analytical skills,skills in review of documentsand report writing.standards and best practice(e.g. Humanitarian Charter,SPHERE, Red Cross and RedCrescent Code of Conduct,HAP); Ability to liaise withinternational bodies andconsortiums (e.g. Caritas,DFID, EU, UN, NGOs)F Communicating ; I ensureothers fully understand whathas been discussed andagreed; presents complexissues simply and clearly;G Looking outwards; ability tobuild and maintain effectivecommunication with influentialexternal contactsAble to feed into team plansand objectives and deliveragainst them in challengingcircumstancesK Taking the lead;demonstrate high levels ofservice to communities,partners or external networksand forumsIV. Fluent in written andspoken EnglishV. Ability to work and travel ininsecure environments and tomanage one’s own personalsecurity and the security of ourpartnersVI. Good understanding ofmanagement principles andbasic personnel managementDesirableIV. Language skills in French, Spanish, Portuguese or ArabicLevels required for this post1. Being effective2. Excelling3. Leading the way4/6 Jul-13

Terms and ConditionsContract1 x 12 month contract to cover an internal secondment (London Based)Salary Grade P: £32’448 per annum with 5 annual increments of £649, up to £36’991.Hours35 hours per week. Normal CAFOD office hours are 9.30 to 5.30 with one hour for lunch. Thispost will require some weekend and evening work for which time off in lieu may be taken.Holidays20 working days per annum plus statutory holidays plus 6 days determined by CAFOD atChristmas/Easter.Notice periodOne month either way in first six months, three months either way after 6 monthprobationary periodPensionsThere is an optional contributory pension scheme (10% employer and 5% employeecontribution). Alternatively, CAFOD will make a similar contribution to a Personal PensionPlan.Other benefitsLife Assurance and Permanent Health Insurance cover, Childcare Vouchers, Payroll CharityGiving, Ride2Work Scheme, Employee Assistance Programme and the Right to Buy AnnualLeave of up to 10 additional days.AccessThere is access for people with disabilities to CAFOD’s offices by way of a passenger lift to allfloors in CAFOD’s building.DisabilitiesWe are committed to making every reasonable adjustment to the workplace or workingarrangements so as to accommodate people with disabilities.LocationThe post will be based in CAFOD’s London office on Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1.There is possibility that the 6 month post could be Nairobi based. Location will bedetermined on existing right to work.CAFOD is an equal opportunities employer.Recruitment and selection procedures reflectour commitment to child protection.5/6 Jul-13

Additional informationCAFODCAFOD is the official Catholic aid agency forEngland and Wales. In more than 40 countriesacross the world, we bring hope, compassion andsolidarity to poor communities, standing side byside with them to end poverty and injustice.Our vision is a world transformed to reflect theKingdom of God: a world where – the rights and dignity of every person arerespected all have access to basic needs in life women and men share equally in shapingtheir societies and our world the gifts of creation are nurtured andshared by all for the common good and the structures that shape people‟s livesare just and enable peace.DivisionInternational Division purpose: in collaborationwith our partners, to have a lasting impact onpoverty and injustice through developmentprogrammes, advocacy, and humanitarianresponse. The division will promote learning,strengthen and empower communities and peoplein need regardless of their race, gender, religion orpolitics, and build links between CAFOD supportersand partners overseas.DepartmentCAFOD is committed to effective and timelyresponse to meet humanitarian needs globally. TheHumanitarian Department (HD) is part of theInternational Division and provides overallmanagement and guidance across CAFOD'shumanitarian programmes and areas of crisis. TheHD works closely with international programmedepartments to enable CAFOD partners to deliverstrong and effective programmes in order to helpsave lives and reduce suffering, risk andvulnerability. The department provides rapidresponse capacity to support partners and theCaritas Confederation and also is the first line inCAFOD’s “surge capacity‟ in response tohumanitarian crises.The department provides expertise and support inboth technical and thematic areas. These areasinclude: disaster risk reduction, capacity building,livelihoods, conflict, health, nutrition, food aid,water, sanitation, construction, programmemanagement, humanitarian funding, training andinternational humanitarian law and humanitarianpolicy.The global humanitarian department comprises of34 staff including the department management (4staff); humanitarian programmes and response -Africa (23 staff); and humanitarian programmesand response - Asia/Middle East & Latin Americaand specialist advisors (7 staff). Humanitarian staffare currently located in Africa, Latin America andLondon HQ.CAFOD’s emergency income averages £15-20million per annum. In 2010, CAFOD responded toor provided funding for emergency requests in 28countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.The HD works closely with Caritas Internationalisand members of the international CaritasConfederation in helping to provide and strengtheninternational assistance to humanitarian crises. TheHD also plays a key role within the UK andinternational humanitarian community workingclosely with other agencies, especially the DisasterEmergencies Committee (DEC), Consortium ofBritish Humanitarian Agencies (CBHA), ChristianAid and Islamic Relief and is also a member ofHAP-I, ALNAP and ICVA.The HD helps to provide and maintain discussionacross CAFOD on humanitarian issues and policy.This involves close liaison with other CAFODdepartments and sections, our supporters andregionaloffices.6/6 Jul-13