Regional Emergency Hub Coordinator, Africa

Starting Date: as soon as possible

Team: Global Humanitarian Team

Location: Africa, country to be decided depending on the selected candidate

Close Date: August 20

LWF World Service

World Service (WS) is the humanitarian and development arm of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). We are a widely recognized, international, faith-based organization working in over 20 countries.

We seek to bring people of all backgrounds together in the common quest for justice, peace, and reconciliation in an increasingly complex and fragmented world.

A commitment to the human rights of every individual, regardless of their status, guides our work, actions, and operations. We are particularly known for our timely, compassionate, and professional humanitarian work, and for our field presence in hard to-reach areas. Our work is people-centred and community-based.

Above all, we work with the most vulnerable, and we engage proactively with community institutions. For additional information, please see: http://www.lutheranworld.org/what-wedo/humanitarian-development-work/about-our-work. World Service provides support to refugees, returnees, internally displaced people, their host communities and communities at risk, emphasizing livelihoods, quality services, protection and social cohesion.

Basic Purpose

The Global Humanitarian Team is part of the International Programs Team. The IPT ensures the overall management of the country programs, fosters a cohesive environment with mutual accountability between the global World Service structures and the field operations and coordinates World Service support to its operations. The Emergency Hub Coordinator (Africa) reports to the Global Humanitarian Coordinator based in Geneva, with an administrative management line from the Representative of the host country program.

As a member of the Global Humanitarian Team, the Regional Emergency Hub Coordinator for Africa provides operational support for new operations and analysis for potential humanitarian response. This position includes longer periods of deployment, on short notice. When not deployed, focus will be on capacity strengthening for staff and partners in quality humanitarian response.

This is a highly operational position that requires maturity, integrity, good management skills and a good understanding of humanitarian action and principles.

The coordinator will travel extensively throughout Africa and may also be required to support outside the region.

Required Qualifications

University degree or equivalent in development studies, humanitarian action, humanitarian emergency preparedness and response, human rights, economics, community development, or equivalent.

Technical expertise in any of the emergency response sectors is an asset.

Ability to be deployed on short notice and on a regular basis as per the needs in the region

Knowledge and Experience

Experience of at least 5 years in emergency response management within faith-based agencies, ecumenical organizations and / or international NGOs.

Proven track record and practical experience in setting up emergency operations.

Proven track record in fundraising and resource mobilization, budgeting and reporting.

Knowledge of accountability standards like the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), Sphere, and the principle of Do No Harm. Understanding of rapid gender analysis is highly desirable.

Language Skills

English required: advanced written and oral skills

French required: advanced written and oral skills

Proficiency in Spanish and/or Arabic would be an asset

**LWF Core Skills (**LWF 3 skills levels are: basis – advanced – resource)

Analytical thinking – Advanced level

Achieving results – Resource level

Accountability – Resource level

Initiative – Resource level

Leadership – Advanced level

Working effectively with others – Advanced level

LWF Functional Skills

Project management – Resource level

Communication – Advanced Level

Training / Capacity Building – Advanced level

Networking – Advanced Level

Facilitation, negotiation – Advanced level

Position environment and dimensions

Internally, works together with fellow Regional Emergency hub members and coordinate with the Global Humanitarian Coordinator (GHC) and Regional Program Coordinators (RPC) in Geneva. Ensures strong collaboration with Country Program staff and Global support team (Global Funding, Finance, Quality & Accountability, Security, Human Resources, Policy & Thematics).

Externally, liaise with relevant humanitarian coordination structures and Member Churches.

Main duties

Setting up new humanitarian operations in case of no active LWF World Service presence

Identify and assess potential WS response through field assessments, mapping and sharing information on current and new emergencies, the humanitarian funding landscape.

Provide analysis and recommendations to identify new humanitarian responses in coordination with the GHC, RPCs and Representatives in the region.

Engage in local cluster structures and finance mechanisms within the humanitarian response framework

Support in setting up emergency responses in existing World Service Country Programs

Carry out needs assessments with other ground actors during emergencies.

Assist country programs in scaling up their interventions, including providing additional technical expertise and hands-on support during emergencies

Provide or organise remote and on-ground technical support (e.g. Shelter, WASH, CBI, Gender) with regard to emergency response proposals and interventions.

Carry out partner assessments for potential collaboration

Prepare emergency appeals, concept notes and proposals

Strengthening of disaster preparedness and humanitarian response capacity in World Service Country Programs, member churches and key partners

Support in organizing training (through Hub Team members or externally) on emergency preparedness and DRR

Provide updated analysis of evolving humanitarian issues in the region

Support Country Programs in the development of Emergency preparedness plans in coordination with ACT Forums and other actors

Major Challenges

Deployment to areas with security constraints

Short notice deployments

Demanding coordination with different stakeholders

Applicants are required to uphold the core values of our organization