Location: Ethiopia, Ireland, Kenya, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Deadline: 27 July 2023
Job Description
About Trócaire
Trócaire is an International NGO. We work with local partners in the world’s most at-risk communities and with people in Ireland to tackle the underlying causes of poverty and injustice and respond to the crises they create. Together we bring about positive and lasting change for a just world. Trócaire works in up to 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Central America and the Middle East. We work towards five goals:
• Promote Access to Justice;
• Achieve Climate & Environmental Justice;
• Ensure Women & Girls’ Protection, Voice & Influence;
• Save Lives and Protect Human Dignity and
• Mobilise the Public on the island of Ireland to achieve Global Justice.
Our work is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and in our values of Solidarity, Courage, Participation, Perseverance and Accountability.
Humanitarian response is a key cornerstone of the strategy. Trócaire’s humanitarian programmes are largely implemented in partnership with local civil society and faith-based organisations. Our humanitarian response programmes cover a combination of sectors including Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL), WASH, Protection, Health, Nutrition as well as CASH as a cross cutting sectoral intervention. Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Risk Management are increasingly prioritised as the impact of climate change manifests in countries where we work.
The Humanitarian Manager -Operational is primarily responsible for ensuring the development and delivery of principled, needs-based humanitarian programmes, in accordance with relevant quality standards and sectoral norms; and for driving an organisational commitment to high quality, efficiency and effectiveness in humanitarian programmes through a partnership model. This is a global role supporting all Trócaire countries.
The Humanitarian Manager – Operational (HM-O) manages a team of global advisors. Working closely with the HHP the HM-O is responsible for leading out on relevant strategic operational priorities and for delivering on agreed objectives, within available resources and according to agreed timeframes. This is a fast paced role that combines management of a team of advisors with hands on deployement to set up new emergency responses in crisis contexts.
For the candidate with the required experience and passion for the role, Trócaire offers a competitive package of salary and benefits.
The role will report to Head of Humanitarian Programmes. The role can be based in Ireland, UK, Ethiopia or Kenya.
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
Skills
• Ability to lead a team, demonstrate clear vision and provide supportive encouragement for staff to take on their responsibilities and contribute in an empowered working environment
• Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of management and cross-organisational teams, contribute to and make decisions, work to deadlines and listen to, process and share information effectively
• Detailed understanding of humanitarian technical and operational standards including; SPHERE, CHS and a demonstrated understanding of protection in a humanitarian context and how it applies to programme planning, design and implementation
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with colleagues and peers at all levels
Qualities
• Leadership and integrity.
• Creativity, courage, innovation and flexibility
• A commitment to justice, equality and fairness
• Ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment
• Commitment to creating a safe and empowered working environment.
• Commitment to recognising, valuing and supporting difference in people.
• Commitment to continuing personal professional development and to supporting the professional development of colleagues.
• Diplomacy and decisiveness
• Openness to change and the identification of new ways of working
Other
• Willingness to travel and work in developing countries where and when required and at short notice and for extended periods at times.
• French, Spanish or Arabic language skills.
Safeguarding Programme Participants-Children & Adults
Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. More information on Trócaire’s safeguarding policies available here.
Diversity and inclusion
We welcome diverse applicants to join our inclusive workforce.
Trócaire is an equal opportunities employer. We are an organisation that embraces diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to bring their experiences and perspectives to Trócaire.
Diversity and Inclusion statement available here