Emergency Response Coordinator – ZOA
Development and Project Management, Environment and Natural Resource
ZOA
Almost four decades ago, ZOA was initiated as a true ‘civil society’ initiative. In 1973, a group of Christian students took a stand and organised support for refugees in Indo-China.[1] The 1970s were a time when large groups of people in Dutch society became involved in voicing political protest but the founders of the organisation took their voice one step further and emphasized the importance of responding in concrete and tangible ways. Their initiative became the starting point for the current organisation known as ZOA, and their original motivation remains today. ZOA has always emphasised the need to translate compassion and concern about the lives and circumstances of the displaced into concrete action.
Over the years, ZOA has grown from a small organisation, with limited capacity for practical support in only a few countries, to a professional organisation that runs high quality, integrated programmes for people affected by conflict or disaster in 10 to 15 African and Asian countries. In addition to receiving private support and funding from the Netherlands, ZOA has a variety of institutional donors and partners around the world. What has remained throughout its development is ZOA’s commitment and determination to contribute to bringing real, tangible, and sustainable change to the lives of people affected by conflict and disaster. Thus, the organisation serves as a means by which thousands of people in Dutch society can contribute to bringing hope to people in despair in a way that is compliant with contemporary professional standards for relief and development. As such, ZOA has remained a ‘civil society’ organisation with strong roots in Dutch society, particularly among Christians. We maintain a strong connection with our constituency through networks of schools, churches, businesses, private donors, and volunteers. At the same time, ZOA has developed into a reliable and effective partner to a variety of institutional actors in the Netherlands, Europe, and beyond.
What has also remained is the Christian inspiration. At ZOA, we are motivated by the biblical message of reconciliation and restoration for a broken world. We believe that Christian organisations like ZOA have a specific responsibility to contribute to bringing hope for the benefit of all people, particularly those in vulnerable positions. The gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to pursue and promote justice and to support people in situations of suffering and injustice, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, religion, or gender.
ZOA’s vision
“In a world full of conflict, injustice, poverty, and disaster, we want to contribute to signs of hope and restoration. We see this being revealed where people experience peace, justice, and mutual trust again, and where they regain personal dignity and confidence. ZOA acts and contributes with the biblical perspective of God’s Kingdom, which will bring reconciliation and restoration to its full extent. Meanwhile, God calls us to do justice and be faithful to people that need our support.”
ZOA Mission
“ZOA supports people who suffer because of armed conflict or natural disasters, in helping them to rebuild their livelihoods. We call on our constituency and partners, in the North and in the South, to take responsibility and get involved. We provide maximum added value to those we support and those who support us.”
About ZOA
We are here for our neighbors in need, who are suffering in this broken world.
ZOA, as an international NGO, supports people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster. Together, we can come to their aid in emergencies and remain faithful to communities as they recover – providing new opportunities for them to help themselves again. The work of ZOA is coordinated from the Netherlands. We are active in multiple countries in Africa, South America, the Middle East Region, and Asia. We work with approximately 900 employees worldwide and with (local) partners. We invite you to join our team of committed colleagues.
ZOA is looking for a
Emergency Response Coordinator
ZOA’s programme in Ethiopia
ZOA works in several regions in Ethiopia: Gambella Regional State (field office in Gambella Town), Somali Regional State (field office in Dolo Ado and Melkadida refugee camp), Tigray Regional State (field office in Shire and Mekelle), Oromia Regional State (field office in Harar), Amhara and Addis Ababa. In Ethiopia, ZOA works with Internally Displaced People (IDPs), host populations, persons with disabilities, returnees, and a large population of refugees who fled a combination of violence and drought in Somalia, South Sudan and Eritrea.
What we offer
ZOA offers a challenging position with a lot of responsibilities. We offer good benefits and remuneration which suits the NGO sector (including, but not limited to: medical, accident and life insurances, provident fund, training options).
Your challenge
Working closely with the Humanitarian Response Manager, Emergency Response Coordinator (ERC), and the WaSH and shelter specialist in Addis Ababa that will provide technical expertise in the field level assessment, cluster representation, project design, and implementation of ZOA’s emergency operations in Amhara region, ensuring that humanitarian responses are implemented according to agreed project plans, budgets, and timeframes. Generally, ERC will work being ZOA’s representative in Amhara, ensuring that ZOA is represented properly and build relations, assess and develop appropriate responses. The ERC will also be responsible for the effective implementation of all Amhara emergency responses projects in the region.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
- Support to the Humanitarian Response Manager (HRM) to develop ZOA countrywide strategy and plan in preparing and responding to emergencies effectively
- Closely work and support with HRM to prepare Amhara region an emergency response plan, to respond to emergencies that could arise in Amhara region, following secondary information available from various sources, and as per ZOA strategies
- Establish ZOA’s presence in Amhara by professional representation in government, cluster, and humanitarian meetings/groups
- Use evidence-based approaches to understand and document the need
- Recommend how ZOA can respond to the evolving humanitarian emergency needs
- Support the development of proposals and projects to respond to the need
- Build professional relationships with key stakeholders and build ZOA Amhara’s portfolio
- Provide technical and project management support to the new teams to ensure quality, timely and appropriate project implementation
- Explore effective but localized ER plans for each identified area and or location, including identification of potential emergency response partner, following the ZOA partnership tool
- Manage, train and develop the capacity of the potential stakeholders, beneficiaries, and government officials in the project areas
- Support the HRM to develop, manage and monitor the budget(s) related to emergency projects according to ZOA and donor requirements where required
- Provide updates to HRM on-field situations, and suggest appropriate response mechanisms
- Support in ensuring ZOA financial, logistics, and HR policies are adhered to during the implementation of ER’s
- Organize refresher workshops on ZOA strategies in preparing and responding to the humanitarian crisis in Amhara region
- Work and lead in organizing needs assessments in emergencies, and prepare reports and proposals on time
- Fully represent ZOA in cluster meetings, working group meetings, humanitarian-related meetings, government meetings in the region
- Prepare concept notes and subsequent draft proposals as necessary
- Prepare periodical reports; monthly, quarterly, and annual, based on the donor, government, and cluster requirement
- Ensure that regular monitoring and evaluation assessments against project objectives are conducted in close collaboration with the Country MEAL Coordinator
- Support the country office to facilitate the timely and appropriate distribution of supplies as per donor regulations e.g. ensuring the development and use of commodity distribution plans
- Attend to any other related tasks advised by the line manager
Security and Safety:
- Ensure that ZOA Safety and security strategies, policies are adhered to
- Ensure that ZOA LSP’s and reports are reviewed and regularly updated, but also applied in Amhara region
- Support in ensuring the safety and security of ZOA personnel, asset, and properties in line with the ZOA Safety and Security Management Plan
- Assist country office in S and S staff training
Professional Competencies:
- Relevant university degree, preferably in emergency response, social & economic development, rural development, food security/livelihood, DRR/DRM, and international humanitarian aid
- 5 years of experience from working as a Project Coordinator in a humanitarian/recovery context
- Technical expertise in program leadership and project cycle management
- Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
- Fluency in English, both written and verbal
Context/ Specific skills, knowledge, and experience:
- Context related skills, knowledge, and experience
- Knowledge of the context in Ethiopia
- Knowledge on Accountability to Affected Persons or CHS essential
- Experience with start-up and program development
- Experience with Emergencies
- Experience with Programme management design and PCM tools
- Computer skills are essential. Skills on data collection such as KOBO toolbox a plus
- Solid understanding and experience of protracted and acute crisis contexts
Behavioral Competencies
- Communication, representation, negotiation, and leadership skills
- Strategic thinking and planning skills, ability to set priorities, prepare manageable work plans, and evaluate progress
- Goal-oriented and visionary
- Strong management capacity and team leader aptitude
- Managing resources to optimize results
- Managing performance and development
- Empowering and building trust
- Handling insecure environments
- Flexible and creative.
