Humanitarian Manager – Operations at Trocaire

Management, Strategy and Coordination

• Provide management and coordination support on strategy, decision making and resource allocation to the Head of Humanitairan Programmes and the Humanitarian Manager - Technical
• Deliver on strategic operational objectives in line with the Trócaire Humanitarian Strategy and Humanitarian Team Annual Plan
• Coordinate closely with country teams and Heads of Portfolio on strategic humanitarian operational issues in the development of humanitarian strategies and the implementation of humanitarian programmes.
• Ensure the effective planning, management, identification and utilisation of operational resources, ensuring that humanitarian programmes are well supported and managed, meet minimum quality standards and are delivered in a timely and accountable manner.
• Ensure senior-level decision makers are provided with strategic and relevant information and knowledge to facilitate timely and accountable decision-making in relation to operational dimensions of humanitarian programmes.
• Facilitate and participate in Trócaire’s Major Emergency Response Mechanism (MERMaid), in order to guide strategy and define and lead Trócaire’s operational response to new large scale emergencies.
• Provide operational management support to responses to large-scale, sudden-onset emergencies, including potential deployments
• Provide backstopping for the HHP as required and deputise for the HPP in his/her absence.

Operational Management

• Facilitate the operational design, implementation, coordination and funding of Trócaire’s approach to humanitarian programme delivery in line with Trócaire’s strategic plan, commitment to justice, dignity and partnership, and aligned to internationally recognised humanitarian principles and standards for quality and accountability
• Ensure efficient and accountable internal systems, processes, and procedures are in place for the delivery of Trócaire’s humanitarian responses
• Provide strategic and operational guidance and support to country offices and Heads of Portfolio in the design and delivery of humanitarian programmes.
• Ensure countries are supported to deliver high-quality funding proposals (including narrative and financial elements) or where no country office exists lead on development of funding proposals
• Ensure such proposals meet donor requirements and that proposals are in line with humanitarian technical standards
• Develop strategies and initiatives to deepen cross-programmatic relationships in order to further Trócaire’s development of a nexus approach, creating links and aligning strategic approaches to operational areas of work within the Global Programmes Division and in particular with Climate and Environmental Justice programming, such as Disaster Risk Management
• Promote and support the implementation of Emergency Preparedness Planning by country teams and partners
• Ensure Trócaire is positioned to engage effectively with innovative practice in humanitarian programmes through the piloting and testing of innovative approaches e.g. pre-positioned funding, anticipatory action, nature based solutions to humanitarian action
• Deploy (at short notice and for extended periods) to crisis affected areas as required, leading and/or assisting in the design and implementation of Trócaire’s humanitarian programmes or in support of Caritas Internationalis humanitarian responses.

People Management

• Directly line manage a team of humanitarian advisors, taking responsibility for recruitment, induction, and performance management
• Ensure humanitarian advisors are provided with appropriate direction, support and mentoring to meet their objectives and fulfil their responsibilities
• Facilitate the professional development of humanitarian advisors through the performance management and implementation of personal development plans
• Backfill for humanitarian advisors when they provide surge support to country teams/emergency responses

Strategic Relationships and Representation

• Coordinate with key external partners in Ireland and overseas, including CI Confederation members, Voice, CALP, ALNAP, START Forewarn to work towards improved operational standards for programme quality and effectiveness in line with sectoral norms and best practice.
• Represent Trócaire in the media, in external networks, forums and meetings, as requested by the HHP.
• Support the development of strategic relationships with key donors including Irish Aid, EU (ECHO), USAID (BHA), START.

Accountability and Learning

• Assess needs, design and deliver training and training resources on humanitarian technical skills, humanitarian standards e.g. Humanitarian Training Calendar
• Identify, lead or support key learning pieces to inform humanitarian policy and practice and promote country learning and cross-country learning e.g Humanitarian monthly webinar series
• Design, manage or lead on Internal Reviews, Real Time Evaluations or End of Programme Evaluations or After Action reviews where required
• Where specific technical advice is required by country programmes but not available on the HQ Humanitarian Team (e.g. WASH) identify and manage external short term resources to fill this gap

Trócaire’s Behavioural Competencies

• 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.
• 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.
• Collaborating: Reflecting our values of Participation & Solidarity, partnering effectively as One Trócaire organisation and, in solidarity, maintains positive relationships built on trust and respect.
• Delivering Results: Reflecting our values of Accountability & Perseverance, getting a quality job done through effective performance, planning and decision making.
• 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.
• 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.

Essential Requirements

Qualifications and experience:

• At least five years’ experience in the planning, design and management of humanitarian response programmes in complex contexts
• At least three years’ experience of leading and managing teams as well as strong team-working skills and competencies
• Experience of responding to humanitarian crises through a partnership approach
• Experience of participation in strategic planning processes and strategic decision-making, particularly in relation to resource allocation
• Experience of facilitating and supporting the development of emergency preparedness and/or contingency plans
• Experience of working in insecure, isolated or hostile environments
• Experience of the application of protection sensitive approaches to programme planning, design and implementation
• Experience of contributing to the development and articulation of humanitarian policy and advocacy initiatives
• Experience of developing and applying management processes and procedures that contribute to improved quality and accountability standards