Humanitarian Advisor - General at Trocaire

Key Duties & Responsibilities

General Humanitarian Response

• Support Trócaire humanitarian and country staff and partners in the design and implementation of principled, needs-based humanitarian response programmes. Support the implementation of, and adherence to, programmatic and organisation-wide, systems and procedures for ensuring good practice to meet sectoral standards in humanitarian protection, accountability and programme quality. These standards include but are not limited to; the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief, the Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response, the Good Enough Guide to Impact and Accountability in Emergencies
• Promote an approach that pays particular attention to accountability to communities and partners as well as to donors and other key stakeholders and is informed by the Core Humanitarian Standards and Trócaire’s Programme Quality and Accountability Framework.
• Support the development and implementation of thorough needs assessments, monitoring procedures and effective evaluations.
• Collaborate with other staff in the monitoring and analysis of emerging and ongoing humanitarian crises, including consideration of contextual and strategic considerations, to enhance both the quality of Trócaire and partners capacity to respond effectively and to drive related advocacy work and engagement with relevant internal coordination platforms e.g. Emergency Management Teams, Fragile & Conflict Affected States etc.
• Collaborate with the Programme Impact and Learning (PIL) Unit to continue the development and streamlining of Monitoring and Evaluation tools and quality assurance mechanisms specific to Trócaire humanitarian programmes.
• Work with overseas staff to promote and embed Results-Based Management (RBM) into humanitarian programmes in Trócaire
• Support the roll-out and implementation efficient systems, processes and toolkits (tailored PCM) in humanitarian programmes and facilitate dissemination and training to country teams and partners on operational and technical areas e.g. Protection mainstreaming, Needs assessments, Cash and Voucher programming, Emergency Preparedness etc…

Support to Institutional Funding of Humanitarian Programmes

• Support, and/or lead on the development and submission of high-quality funding proposals (including narrative and financial elements) for humanitarian programmes, often to tight deadlines
• Provide technical review of proposals ensuring donor requirements and approaches are considered and proposals are in line with humanitarian technical standards
• Support country teams in their oversight and monitoring of humanitarian grant implementation, undertaking field monitoring, coordinating internal reviews and learning exercises when required

Emergency Preparedness and Contingency Planning

• Develop quarterly humanitarian forecasting for FCAS portfolio countries to facilitate timely and appropriate country level preparedness and response actions
• Support Trócaire country offices and pre-selected partners in the development, roll-out and the implementation of up-to-date Emergency Preparedness Plans through training, monitoring and follow up.
• Support the roll-out of contingency planning for Trócaire offices and partners in advance of predictable crises, and subsequent responses to the same

Working with the Humanitarian Team and Cross-Organisationally

• Work closely with the Fragile and Conflict Affected States country portfolios to identify opportunities for joint funding, programming and learning on various themes including conflict sensitivity, Resilience and Nexus programming.
• Work closely with the Humanitarian Protection Advisors to ensure gender and protection are addressed in all aspects of programming work, both in relation to partners and in working with colleagues in Trócaire.
• Work closely with the Humanitarian EFSL and Cash Advisors to ensure high quality emergency food security, livelihoods and cash programmes are effective, appropriate and timely.
• Work closely with the Programme Impact and Learning (PIL) team and M&E colleagues on relevant assessments, documenting evidence on effectiveness of to inform improved practices and quality programming.
• Work closely with the Programme Development and IF Advisors to develop high quality proposals and reports for donors.
• Work closely with the Humanitarian Policy and colleagues in the Policy Unit to support the development of humanitarian programme and policy work as required

Engaging with external stakeholders on humanitarian response

• Take a lead role in building links with and representing Trócaire at various humanitarian groups and networks (e.g. START, BOND, ALNAP etc…)
• Promote Trócaire’s humanitarian work through the Caritas network, including through active participation in inter-agency Caritas initiatives on humanitarian response

Other Duties

• Represent Trócaire at inter-agency meetings and other public fora, including Caritas, UN Cluster Coordination meetings, among others.
• Any other reasonable duty as may be assigned by Humanitarian Manager or Head of Humanitarian that is consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility. This will include the promotion of Trócaire through the media in conjunction with the Trócaire Communications Unit.

International travel and work

Be willing to travel for up to 4 months per year and to undertake the above tasks in project locations worldwide, sometimes in insecure environments and at short notice. This would normally include blocks of up to 3 weeks travel but could include longer secondments when required.

Behavioural Competencies in Line with Trócaire’s Competency Framework

• Leading: Reflecting our values of Participation & Accountability, acts to inspire and lead others to achieve their potential, demonstrating Trócaire’s values with integrity in order to achieve our organisation’s objectives.
• Communicating: Reflecting our value of Participation, being one organisation, communicating clearly and transparently across, teams, units, divisions, locations and other external organisations. Getting our message across with impact.
• Collaborating: Reflecting our values of Participation & Solidarity, partnering effectively as One Trócaire organisation and, in solidarity, maintains positive relationships built on trust and respect.
• Stewardship of Resources: Reflecting our value of Accountability and decision-making around the best use of resources. Using our resources transparently, sustainably, ethically, fairly & with integrity; acknowledging Trócaire’s reputation in the use of resources.
• Delivering Results: Reflecting our values of Accountability & Perseverance, getting a quality job done through effective performance, planning and decision making.
• Continual Improvement & Learning: Reflecting our values of Participation & Courage, constantly looking to learn and develop self, employees, and partners to better fulfil Trócaire’s’ mission.
• Flexibility & Change: Reflecting our values of Participation & Courage, adapts positively to change and to different ways of doing things; manages or takes part in change processes in a way that is appropriate to role in the organisation.

Person Specification – Essential Requirements

Qualification

• Third level qualification in humanitarianism, development or related area.
• Relevant humanitarian training.

Experience

• 4 years’ experience in the humanitarian sector with significant experience Fragile and Conflict Affected States, including at least 2 years overseas experience.
• Experience implementing humanitarian Programming in complex or insecure environments.
• Experience of working with, and a demonstrated understanding of, humanitarian standards and principles of good practice, including, humanitarian protection, CHS, SPHERE, HAP, LEGS, GEG, Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief & IHL instruments.
• Experience of working with a range of institutional donors.

Skills

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish or French.
• A knowledge and understanding of key established and emerging humanitarian and development issues.
• Project cycle management skills.
• Ability to think strategically and programmatically.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proven ability of working successfully with institutional donors
• Able to work effectively with colleagues and partners (secular, Church, other faith based).
• Knowledge and competence in effective use of ICT.
• An understanding of the need for, and a commitment to, cross-organisational working.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team.

Qualities

• Commitment to continuing personal and professional development and to support the professional development of colleagues.
• Values and demonstrates commitment to mature and supportive working relationships.
• Willingly takes ownership and is openly accountable.
• Manages time and resources efficiently.
• Shows drive and initiative.
• Shows flexibility, adapts easily to change.
• Demonstrates courage and integrity.
• A commitment to justice, equality and fairness.

Other

• Willingness to travel and work in developing countries where and when required and at short notice.

Person Specification – Desirable

Qualification

• A relevant post-graduate qualification.

Experience

• Proven experience in coordinating and linking with the UN cluster system.
• Experience of supporting the development of emergency preparedness and contingency plans.
• Experience of developing Community based disaster preparedness programmes.
• Specific experience of working with Irish Aid, START, UN Funds and ECHO / DIPECHO.

Skills

• A detailed knowledge and experience of managing humanitarian programmes in both sudden onset crises and protracted slow onset complex emergencies.
• A knowledge of managing Protection programmes in development or humanitarian settings.