Background

The SAFER (Strategic Assistance for Emergency Response) Consortium is funded by FCDO, BHA and ECHO, and is composed of ACTED, Concern Worldwide, Mercy Corps, Norwegian Refugee Council and Solidarités International. The Consortium’s overall goal is to ensure populations affected by conflict and shocks can cover their basic needs. The specific outcome is to deliver a coordinated humanitarian response that enables vulnerable households affected by conflict and shocks to have safe and equitable access to multi-sectoral emergency assistance and basic WASH services to reduce reliance on negative coping mechanisms. This is achieved through the provision of MPCA (Multipurpose Cash Assistance) and complementary to specific Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) to meet basic needs of shock affected populations.

The consortium members are present in all the provinces of the East of DRC and can contractually be deployed to any other part of the Country if an emergency occurs. The Rapid Response – SAFER Consortium needs strong leadership and coordination in order to operate efficiently and effectively and deliver on its vision to be a leading national emergency cash and WASH actor.

NRC is seeking an expert in multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA) to lead the technical team within the Consortium Coordination Unit (CCU) and oversee a team of technical advisors. The Consortium Director position is hosted by Mercy Corps, and the position of Deputy Director, Technical is hosted by NRC. The position is part of the CCU and reports to the NRC Head of Programmes; the Consortium Director provides technical supervision to the Deputy Director on a daily basis. The Deputy Director manages the technical team composed of two MEAL Advisors, a Protection Advisor and a WaSH Advisor.

The Deputy Director - Technical represents the interests of all five partners and will facilitate, with the Advisors, the harmonization of SAFER Consortium minimum standards and practices, and help partners to meet the same in areas such as: do no harm, market based programming, targeting, and accountability to affected populations, building on best practice around the world.

As the role is hosted by NRC, the post-holder must comply with NRC procedures for logistics, finance, security, and the code of conduct; however the Deputy Director – Technical has the independence to ensure equal representation of all consortium members and make technical decisions for the good of the consortium.

1. Role and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Consortium Director, the Deputy Director - Technical will coordinate the work of the SAFER Working Groups and Operational Coordination Unit to achieve the consortium’s objectives in terms of harmonisation, constant quality improvement of the programming through lessons learned workshop and will strive for technical innovation.

• Support learning across member organizations to improve grant effectiveness and better respond to the needs of beneficiaries through continuous programming improvement.
• Co-chair SAFER sectorial working groups and assist the technical advisors in the harmonisation processes.
• Co-chair the Operational Coordination Unit (Partner’s Programme Directors), chaired by the Consortium Director, to ensure the work and deliverables of the technical working groups are understood and approved by each partner.
• Work closely with CCU advisors and with operational consortium members to provide technical guidance on SAFER procedures as well as international and Cluster standards during implementation.
• Support on all technical aspects of the SAFER implementation amongst the five SAFER members ensuring quality programming and use of the SAFER tools (MEB, Market assessment, Modality decision matrix, Indicator guidance, protection analysis matrix and mitigation measures, etc.), fostering high performance and quality programming for the Consortium
• Ensure SAFER’s cluster engagement strategy is implemented and when necessary, represent SAFER in coordination meetings (OCHA, Cluster, Rapid Response meetings, etc.)
• Lead field visit with CCU team members in support of partners
• Ensure clear system for tracking and reporting against deliverables are in place and well managed at consortium level through the management of the M&E advisors.
• Assist in the technical review and finalization of proposals and reports.
• Ensure Consortium Director’s interim when requested.

2. Competencies

• Advanced university degree in relevant field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the humanitarian sector in emergency contexts;
• Significant and demonstrable expertise on Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (cash transfer, closed loop voucher, mobile money) programming preferably through RR programming and in complex context.
• Experience in coordination or Consortium position an asset
• Proven experience in project cycle management and grant management
• Strong communication, inter-personal, facilitation and diplomatic skills, including the professional credibility to provide coordination and guidance to member organisations
• Highly flexible to work in a challenging emergency environment
• Fluency in French and English mandatory, both written and verbal, with strong writing and editing skills.

Context related skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience working with the ECHO, FCDO, BHA, and other relevant donors.
• Experience working in complex emergencies, volatile contexts.
• Experience working in DRC and knowledge of the context an asset.

Behavioural competencies

• Planning and delivering results
• Communicating with impact and respect
• Strategic thinking
• Managing performance and development
• Managing resources to optimise results
• Empowering and building trust

Find Full details for the role JD Deputy Director Technical - SAFER Consortium.docx

Publication closing - September 6th 2022

What We Offer

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility: At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative

• 12 months renewable
• An opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause
• A chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields

Internal candidates are encouraged to apply but we are also open to external applicants who can show a commitment to NRC and being part of a challenging, but important mission to make a difference.  

To apply as an internal candidate, click on the suitcase icon “I am an employee” on the top right of the page to be redirected to NRC’s internal career site

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