The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

THE IRC IN YEMEN

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and regain control of their future. The IRC Yemen began its programs in October 2012 and currently operates in the south through direct programming and local partnerships. The country program operates from main offices in Aden and field offices in Abyan and Al Dhale’e and is expanding operations in the West Coast.

 

POSITION OVERVIEW

After almost ten years of war and economic collapse, the operating environment in Yemen is characterized by a protracted complex emergency and overlapping acute emergencies linked to armed conflict, displacement, climate change, restricted access to essential services, food insecurity, malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and natural disasters. The IRC’s programs respond to both chronic and acute emergency needs.

 

With support from ECHO, Sida and FCDO, the IRC manages an Emergency Preparedness and Response Mechanism (EPRM). The EPRM works with a network of pre-positioned partners to respond to the immediate needs of affected populations through flexible and responsive humanitarian assistance. The EPRM prioritizes responses in Abyan, Aden, Al Dhale’e, Hodeidah (IRG), Lahj, Marib, Shabwah, and Taiz (IRG) governorates.

 

The Senior Emergency Officer supports the quality implementation of emergency responses across the IRC Yemen country program, with a particular focus on support to the EPRM. The position supports the Emergency Coordinator by leading in context monitoring, including tracking of early warning systems, and emergency preparedness, emergency response coordination, and EPRM project management. The Senior Emergency Officer will travel to field locations, including remote and hard-to-reach locations and must be able to perform to a high standard in challenging and insecure conditions. This is a cross-cutting role that works with technical program teams in the areas of Health, Nutrition, WASH, Cash and Voucher (CVA) Assistance, Protection, and Food Security. The Senior Emergency Officer will also work closely with the partnerships and operational support departments.

 

This position reports to the Emergency Coordinator and is based in Aden with frequent travel to program sites across southern Yemen.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Emergency Monitoring & Preparedness

·       Ensure the EPRM emergency alert system is regularly monitored, communicate with relevant stakeholders (e.g., local authorities, clusters, I/NGOs) to collect and triangulate information on contextual changes and emergency situations, and raise alerts when needed

·       Support the implementation and follow-up of key emergency preparedness actions identified in IRC Yemen’s EPP

·       Participate in due diligence of partners in order to assess their capacity to implement emergency responses

·       Ability to facilitate and support in training to partners and IRC staff on the EPRM and emergency-related topics.

·       Attend relevant cluster meetings and share relevant information with the emergency team.

·       In coordination with the Emergency Coordinator, represent IRC in coordination meetings with local authorities and NGOs in southern Yemen

Emergency Response Management

·       Actively lead and participate in rapid needs assessments independently or with program teams as required and produce basic assessment reports

·       Make response recommendations for IRC and/or partners based on evidenced needs and lead on documenting GO/No-Go decision

·       Undertake regular and frequent supportive field visits, and monitor progress of IRC and partner activities

·       Strong communication with communities to disseminate information about emergency assessments and responses and obtain relevant information, including feedback in a culturally appropriate manner

·       Ensure adequate documentation and data collection during emergency responses

·       With support from the Emergency Coordinator, lead in internal and external coordination and triangulation of information with key stakeholders to enable rapid and effective emergency responses

·       Support program teams when needed to carry out direct-IRC emergency response interventions

·       Ensure accountability to donors and beneficiaries (notably through ensuring a functional feedback mechanism)

·       Support the engagement with and technical support to implementing partners as requested

·       In collaboration with technical program leads and the Supply Chain department, support the procurement, pre-positioning, and timely distribution of emergency supplies

Project Management

Support the Emergency Coordinator and Senior MEAL Officer in the documentation of lessons learned to capture program performance Responsible to update the EPRM Response Tracker with required information

·       Support the development and review of IRC and partner reports and proposals

·       Support the tracking of program procurement and expenses

·       Take part in partner opening, review, closure, and adhoc meetings

·       Identify new funding opportunities for emergency responses

Other

·       Other relevant duties as assigned by supervisor to further IRC emergency programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

·       Minimum of three years of experience working on humanitarian programs in Yemen.

·       Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant subject is highly preferred.

·       Previous experience supporting multi-sector acute emergency responses strongly preferred.

·       Experience working with national NGO and local partners on emergency management preferred.

·       Experience in training, supporting, and mentoring NGO/CBO staff

·       Computer literacy in word processing and spreadsheets is required

·       Excellent communication skills and ability to work under pressure

·       Proficiency in written and spoken English required

·       Willingness and ability to frequently travel across southern Yemen, including to remote and insecure locations, is required

·       Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies.

·       Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and in a team.

 

COMPETENCIES

·       Strong cross-cultural communication skills and comfortable working as part of a diverse team. Sensitive to interpersonal differences and a range of viewpoints.

·       Highly diplomatic with excellent political awareness and advanced negotiation skills.

·       Demonstrated advance planning and organizational skills. Able to effectively prioritize and follow multiple activities and deadlines simultaneously.

·       Flexible and innovative. Able to adapt plans and pivot approaches in response to changes in context.

·       Proactive, reliable, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

·       Ability to thrive in collaborative environments and demonstrate a strong commitment to professional development.

·       Enthusiastic about taking on leadership roles and enhancing strategic management capabilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

QUALIFICATIONS

·       Minimum of three years of experience working on humanitarian programs in Yemen.

·       Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant subject is highly preferred.

·       Previous experience supporting multi-sector acute emergency responses strongly preferred.

·       Experience working with national NGO and local partners on emergency management preferred.

·       Experience in training, supporting, and mentoring NGO/CBO staff

·       Computer literacy in word processing and spreadsheets is required

·       Excellent communication skills and ability to work under pressure

·       Proficiency in written and spoken English required

·       Willingness and ability to frequently travel across southern Yemen, including to remote and insecure locations, is required

·       Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies.

·       Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and in a team.

COMPETENCIES

·       Strong cross-cultural communication skills and comfortable working as part of a diverse team. Sensitive to interpersonal differences and a range of viewpoints.

·       Highly diplomatic with excellent political awareness and advanced negotiation skills.

·       Demonstrated advance planning and organizational skills. Able to effectively prioritize and follow multiple activities and deadlines simultaneously.

·       Flexible and innovative. Able to adapt plans and pivot approaches in response to changes in context.

·       Proactive, reliable, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

·       Ability to thrive in collaborative environments and demonstrate a strong commitment to professional development.

·       Enthusiastic about taking on leadership roles and enhancing strategic management capabilities.

 

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others. 

Work Environment: There is active conflict in parts of the country and a possibility of the conflict expanding into other locations. The situation in Aden is currently quiet but remains unpredictable. Security will be thoroughly discussed during the interview process.

The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.