Project HOPE is an international NGO of more than 900 engaged employees and hundreds of volunteers who work in more than 25 countries, responding to the world’s most pressing global health challenges. Throughout our 60-year legacy, Project HOPE has treated millions of patients and provided more than $3 billion worth of medicines to local health care organizations around the world. We have helped build hundreds of health programs from the ground up and responded to humanitarian crises worldwide.

Code of Conduct

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment.  Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response guides the Emergency Response Unit and has three essential roles:  1) the development, maintenance and/or review of emergency response capacity, tools, guidelines, procedures and resources in collaboration with the emergency response focal points from multiple HQ-based departments; 2) the management, planning and delivery of emergency operations for acute crises events in areas where Project HOPE has no presence or, in a country with existing operations, requires a separate emergency response mechanism to cope with the scale of the crisis; and 3) the provision of support to regional directors and country teams to respond to emergencies in areas of operation in which Project HOPE country team leads the response efforts and pave the way for transition programming.  The position is expected to contribute substantively to the transition process from relief to recovery and longer-term development programming.

For emergencies that are managed by the Emergency Response Unit, the Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response is expected to deploy to the field, serving as Team Leader and directly managing the Project HOPE emergency response team.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Emergency Preparedness

• Oversee the monitoring of developing crises and potential emergencies around the world; propose and justify emergency response measures in a timely manner; maintain effective lines of communication with other departments as necessary to ensure proper agency-wide preparedness.
• Develop and maintain annual operational plans, budget, and contingency stocks for the Emergency Response Unit.
• Direct the process of reviewing, maintaining, improving and disseminating emergency preparedness and response strategies and operational systems, including tools, processes, and resources for efficient institutional emergency response.
• Guide, mentor and support Emergency Response Unit staff, including the development of well-defined roles and responsibilities and training opportunities.
• In concert with other departments, foster and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including partner agencies, volunteer roster networks, and donor representatives.
• Represent Project HOPE as appropriate on global, regional and local platforms to ensure effective coordination of response efforts and to promote strong visibility of Project HOPE’s role as a leading agency in emergency response.
• Oversee the management, growth, and continued development of the roster of emergency response personnel, inclusive of Project HOPE staff as well as volunteer roster members. For volunteer roster members, review and enhance the basic training modules available to ensure that minimum qualifications related to humanitarian interventions are met prior to any deployments.

Emergency Response

• As Emergency Response Team Lead, be prepared to deploy on short notice to disaster zones, leading the emergency response team and providing overall responsibility for Project HOPE’s programmatic activities, operational functions, and safety and security.
• Upon the onset, or impending onset of a new emergency, prepare internal alerts, mobilize resources, and advise on deployment options.
• Develop initial assessment budget, define the makeup of initial rapid response team, identify key personnel, and develop the emergency response Concept of Operations.
• Coordinate with emergency response team and relevant HQ departments for the design, preparation and completion of needs assessments, concept notes, and project proposals.
• Ensure Project HOPE activities are coordinated with relevant actors, responsive to immediate needs, and in line with humanitarian principles and prevailing guidelines on best practices and minimum standards.
• Define strategic and operational priorities on a daily basis, and ensure effective program delivery during the acute phase of the crisis, with priority given to life-saving interventions and consideration towards industry standards and accountability to affected populations.
• With Communications department, support media and communication activities and ensure appropriate visibility of Project HOPE emergency interventions.
• Facilitate handover of management responsibilities to the normal Project HOPE country program structure at an appropriate transition stage and manage an after-action review process for institutional learning purposes.
• Backstop regional directors and country teams that require surge support for emerging humanitarian crises in areas of existing operations.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters in Public Health, Humanitarian Studies or related advanced degree from an established university, or relevant field experience
• Minimum of 10 years combined experience in HQ and field operational management for emergency response in acute and transitional contexts; Experience in public health crisis response a plus
• Willingness to travel to other offices and field sites, including disaster zone or hardship posts on short notice, at least 25% of time
• Strong network of agencies and individuals active in emergency response capacities
• Outstanding organizational and communication skills
• Excellent ability to handle multiple tasks and many administrative details in a fast paced and constantly changing environment
• Computer proficiency should include Word, Excel, and other general experience with software programs

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be mobile in an office environment and able to use standard office equipment.
• Must be able to communicate in verbal and written form and must be able to travel internationally.
• Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship.”

Work environment:

• Typical office environment with exposure to a minimal noise level.
• Emergency deployments may be in resource-deprived environments with austere living conditions.
• Travel for extended periods may be by air and/or other modes of transportation.
• While international travel is not a regular part of every job, programmatic needs may require it intermittently.
• Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship.”