Senior Humanitarian Advisor

The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) wants to hire employees in the following vacant positions the details of which are mentioned below. 

About the Ethiopian Red Cross Society 

The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) was established in 1935 and is one of the oldest and largest humanitarian organizations in Ethiopia. ERCS provides services to communities affected by natural and manmade disasters through the provision of emergency responses, ambulance and first aid, family reunification, essential drugs, water and sanitation, and other humanitarian services. ERCS also runs disaster risk reduction programs with the aim of creating resilience households and communities. Currently the ERCS has a structure consisting of 12 Regional Offices, 34 Zonal Branches and 131  District/Woreda Branches, 599 Woreda Red Cross Committee  and 5871 Kebele Red Cross  committees.

ERCS also runs disaster risk reduction programs relating to food security, climate change adaptation, livelihood diversification, and institutional capacity building interventions, with the aim of creating resilience households and communities. ERCS works in partnership with the Ethiopian Government, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), partnering National Societies, members, volunteers and the communities we serve.

Position Description

The Ethiopian Red Cross Society is seeking a Senior Humanitarian Advisor for the Ethiopia DRM Activity. The Senior Humanitarian Advisor will be responsible for collecting, collating, analyzing, and presenting high-quality reports on the progression, and, coordination of a joint response to all humanitarian crises in Ethiopia. Our coordination with humanitarian organizations is aligned to the HRP, which outlines the humanitarian needs, priorities, and funding requirements each year for the country and guides collective multispectral humanitarian action. Through embedded staff and technical assistance, we will support the EDRMC to coordinate implementation of the HRP and will work closely with DRM coordination platforms, like the food cluster. To implement DRM from communities to the national level, we will use the resources dedicated to local partnerships described in Section 1.7. the ERCS will link the Activity to the humanitarian community in the participating regions, woredas, and kebeles, supporting coordination of HRP implementers for resourcing, monitoring and reporting. To maximize reach and achieve scale, we will work through forums, like the Humanitarian International Nongovernmental Organization (HINGO) Forum that brings together 58 international humanitarian agencies—like the Poverty Reduced Sustainably in an Environment of Resilient and Vibrant Economy (Pre SERVE) RFSA that RTI supports as a subcontractor—and groups, like the Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Association (CCRDA), which has 367 members; and the Women, Children, and Youth Development Forum (WCYDF), which has over 70 members.

The Senior Humanitarian Advisor will serve as the Activity’s representative in humanitarian coordination forums and committees to identify synergies and share information; directly engage with humanitarian and DRM activities to foster collaboration at the national and regional levels; and regularly update the Activity leadership team on emerging humanitarian needs, priorities, and opportunities for aligning the Activity to the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus and the transition from humanitarian to development activities.

This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and will report to the Chief of Party and ERCS DRM head. 

Your primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to: 

• Provide strategic advice towards adapting activity priorities to develop and maintain relationships with senior government officials, UN agencies, I/NGOs, private sector to influence the strategic direction of the humanitarian programming in Ethiopia.

• Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of ongoing or emerging humanitarian, organizational, political, and stakeholder interests in Ethiopia.

• Monitor disaster risks, prepare regular strategic and analytical reports on current or anticipated emergencies, and, recommend possible humanitarian needs and requirements, target locations, and, capacities for an effective international coordinated response.

• Lead efforts to identify and assess capacities for humanitarian assistance coordination as well as the development of comprehensive national or regional preparedness and response plans for Ethiopia.

• Closely collaborate with USAID and other donor-funded emergency response interventions to avoid duplication, and explore opportunities for synergies and transition efforts.

• Disseminate disaster risk profiling and planning models, tools, and templates to support the automation of the humanitarian process across the country.

• Maintain regular coordination with humanitarian partners and forums for joint after-action reviews and follow up on any recommendations on Activity adaptation.

• Propose priorities and partnerships for application with clear strategies for future effective responses from lessons learned, and opportunities within and relevant to Ethiopia.

• Participate in investigative missions and bilateral consultations to gather information from government authorities, private individuals and entities, civil society, the private sector, and communities, on effective utilization of humanitarian assistance by activity or response to allegations and findings when conducting investigations.

• Develop and implement strategic plans for humanitarian response, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and priorities.

•  Provide expert advice on humanitarian policy development, advocacy, and engagement with key stakeholders at national and international levels.

• Offer technical expertise in areas such as emergency response, disaster risk reduction, protection, gender equality, and inclusion in humanitarian programming.

•  Support the capacity building of staff, partners, and stakeholders in humanitarian principles, standards, and best practices.

• Identify and assess risks in humanitarian operations, develop risk mitigation strategies, and ensure compliance with safety and security protocols.

•  Coordinate with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, UN agencies, NGOs, and donors, to ensure effective collaboration and coordination of humanitarian efforts.

• Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian projects to assess impact, identify lessons learned, and inform decision-making for program improvement.

• Lead efforts to mobilize resources for humanitarian response, including fundraising, proposal development, and donor relations.

• Advocate for the rights and needs of affected populations, communicate key messages to raise awareness about humanitarian issues, and engage with media and other communication channels.

• Ensure adherence to ethical standards, humanitarian principles, and organizational policies in all aspects of humanitarian work, including decision-making, resource allocation, and beneficiary engagement.

Work Unit :-DRM department

Reports to:- DRM-Head

Terms of employment: - Contract for one year   

Place of Work: - Addis Ababa 

Salary:- Negotiable       

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and 12 years of experience, Master's degree and 10 years of experience and PHD and 5 years of experience in humanitarian studies, disaster risk management, political science, social science, public administration, international studies, economics, engineering, earth sciences, Environmental Science, Food Security, Development Studies and local development or a related field are required.

• At least 10 years of previous high-level humanitarian programming experience, cluster coordination, and knowledge working with International Organizations or the UN in Ethiopia is desired.

• Excellent management, strong oral communication and drafting skills, adaptability, organizational skills, flexibility, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a complex and changing environment.

• Strong strategic, diplomatic, and excellent interpersonal skills to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment, and political working environment with a wide range of stakeholders.  

• Significant field experience in post-conflict, protracted crises, or other transitional situations is required.

• Proficiency in verbal and written English is required.

• Ability to travel and work throughout Ethiopia in difficult terrain/conditions at times.     

How To Apply

We invite candidates meeting the required qualifications to fill out online employment application form 

With the indicated link https://ee.ifrc.org/x/fqTf4qqW before the closing date of this announcement on July 26, 2024.

Qualified women are strongly recommended to apply!