The Rapid Response Specialist directly reports to the Field Coordinator and leads the program emergency team in Yobe State, Nigeria. The Rapid Response Specialist is responsible for providing strategic leadership and administrative oversight of the emergency response. She/he will lead the needs identification, development, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of emergency activties. He/she is responsible for exploring opportunities for scaling up and expands the emergency response in line with country strategic plan. The incumbent ensures that new relief programs are designed in a way they will be transitioning into long term development opportunities.

Location (Country & Base): Abuja with frequent filed visits to project locations

Contract duration: 12 months

Direct Line Manager: Field Coordinator

Technical Supervisor: FSL and WASH Coordinators

OBJECTIVE 1: Contextual analysis of emergency humanitarian situation in Nigeria.

. In collaboration with the Technical Coordination team, analyze of the broad humanitarian emergency trends by attending regular coordination meetings at national level, field assessments, and secondary data from other sources.

. Serve as a point of contact for all ACF emergency programs in Nigeria and build collaborative relationships with UN agencies, INGOs and relevant Government agencies that are active in Nigeria’s emergency response.

. He/she provides the coordination team with up-to-date emergency humanitarian information and possible scenario analysis and contingency planning.

. In collaboration with the Coordination team, identifies humanitarian needs, provides relevant future trends for geographic and sector positioning throughout the country in a timely fashion.

OBJECTIVE 2: Representation and liaison with authorities, UN, NGOs

. Ensure that ACF is represented and actively participating in relevant coordination (national and local) meetings.

. Ensure ACF interests are guarded within the humanitarian community.

. Coordinate with stakeholders on ACF activities and ensure required program documentation is provided (pro-actively and upon request) by the Program Managers.

OBJECTIVE 3: Strategic Leadership

. Remain well informed of humanitarian trends, context and security issues. Ensure that regular coordination and communication are maintained with coordination team.

. In collaboration with the Technical Coordination team, provide the overall vision for the emergency response and incorporation of that vision into the overall Country . Strategy / annual work plan that corresponds with ACF international strategy.

. Actively participate in new proposal development. Ensure that relief programs are designed in a manner that facilitates recovery and long-term development and sustainability.

OBJECTIVE 4: Current Program coordination and management

. Ensure that the startup / scale up of the WASH and FSL response is well coordinated and timely and qualitatively implemented. Ensure that logistic, security and administrative ACF procedures are in place in the new project locations in the shortest possible delay.

. Ensure that program implementation is coordinated with other humanitarian actors, operating in the same geographic location (Protection, Gender, WASH, FSL).

. Monitor program indicators, evaluate results and analyze project impact and challenges to adaptively manage the project to meet or exceed expected results.

. Produce high quality reports in accordance with donor guidelines and ensure timely submission.

. Ensure that all ACF policies and procedures are adhered by all program staff at all time. In addition, ensure adherence of code of conduct of Red Cross/Red Crescent and NGOs in humanitarian field.

. Work in collaboration with Security Manager on security matters to ensure safety and security of ACF staff, property and program.

OBJECTIVE 5: Overall management of program budgets

. In collaboration with Admin/Finance Coordinator, ensure that program budgets are respected, procedures are followed.

. In collaboration with Admin/Finance Coordinator and Logistics Coordinator, consolidate budget & procurement procedures.

. Ensure budget follow up so that that over- or under spent of budgets are communicated early enough and adjusted accordingly to achieve set targets.

OBJECTIVE 6: Human Resources Management – Programming

. Lead staff recruitment under his/her supervision in collaboration with HR coordinator.

. Manage the emergency team fostering professional development and team building through regular meetings and effective HR management.

. Ensure that performance appraisals for all staff are done in a timeline manner, in line with ACF performance management policy.

. Ensure program staff are motivated and committed to ACF charter and programs.

. Facilitate staff capacity building exercise for emergency team taking into consideration their profiles, the cultural context and the on the basis of the finding of the needs assessment.

. Lead cross programme learning through joint review and planning meeting with other departments.

. In collaboration with the HR Coordinator, ensure that HR policies are understood and being respected within the team.

. Internal & External relationships

Internal

Field Coordinator: hierarchical relationship – technical support – exchange of information and collaboration on strategic issues.

Head of Base: Implementation, collaboration and exchange of information on relations with Government Institutions at state and LGA levels, general situation, security.

FSL and WASH Coordinators: Coordination and technical inputs into emergency programs.

Logistics Coordinator: Procurement plan, procurement of inputs & delivery and documentation.

. HR Coordinator: Collaboration and exchange of information on staff recruitment, promotion, staff capacity, training and, if need be, on team management and problem solving development.

External

. Other INGOs : exchange of information, coordination, UN agencies: exchange of information, coordination, and advocacy.

. Government agencies: Lobbying, collaboration

REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monthly report,

• Donor reports

• weekly SITREP

• Monitoring reports

• Lessons learned/case studies documents

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• University graduate in International Development, Public Health, International Humanitarian • Assistance, or any food security, agriculture, social science.

• Minimum 3 years work experience in similar setting and responsibility

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

• Excellent communication, writing and analytical skills

• Excellent management, coordination and representation competencies

• Excellent influencing and negotiation skills

• Experience in humanitarian and development programming especially in Nutrition, WASH and/or FSL sectors in complex emergencies

• Experience in coordination mechanisms in humanitarian response

• Knowledge of major donor procedures (particularly OFDA and ECHO)

• Knowledge on humanitarian charters, policies, standard

• Ability and willingness to travel to the North of the country

• Willing to live in shared accommodation/team house

PREFERRED

• Experience in Nigeria

• Similar international assignments experience

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