Manager of International Disaster Response

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is seeking an Manager of International Disaster Response who will assist in leading the department in the New York City office while overseeing the United Methodist emergency/disaster preparedness and response efforts. This person will report to the Director of IDR. The salary for this position is $64,321. This is a varied position that involves administering the day-to-day business of the mission and managing staff both in the New York City office and in the field. This position involves some travel, at times to insecure environments, and occasionally at short notice, and working with local partners and communities to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Liaise with Methodist-related institutions; NGOs, FBO’s, and CBO’s; government and multi-lateral institutions (Including the UN and others); ACT Alliance members. Attend roundtables, board meetings, and annual/semi-annual meetings. Provide program support and guidance to UMCOR NGO field offices and partner agencies internationally. Increase the capacity of UMCOR partners worldwide to prepare for and respond to disasters. Develop and implement new tools for continuous improvement and effectiveness of international disaster preparedness and response. Monitor and evaluate new and ongoing emergency situations and international relief efforts on a daily basis. Recruit, train, and manage staff, volunteers, and interns. Manage teams of various skill levels and personalities. Manage grants provided to partner organizations: evaluate grant applications, provide feedback and recommendations to grantee and UMCOR supervisor; review reports; conduct occasional related monitoring visits. Perform site visits. Coordinate with local partners, local authorities, and peer organizations. Conduct needs assessments, collect information, make recommendations for new programs, and monitor ongoing activities. Willingness to travel up to 50% internationally on short notice.

ABILITIES: Must have strong negotiation and coordination skills; strong management, communication, and reporting skills; good interpersonal and team building skills; diplomacy and patience. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills are essential. In addition, this person must have the ability to be flexible in fast-paced emergency; work in post disaster environment and in remote regions with limited resources; work independently with minimal supervision and strategize under pressure, and synthesize and communicate complex information. Understand and respect the cultural, religious, and political environment and use diplomacy when working with the staff, local partners, local authorities, and beneficiary population

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE AREAS: Familiarity and experience with incorporation of Disaster Risk Reduction strategies into disaster preparedness and response activities highly desirable. Familiarity and experience in different humanitarian aid and development sectors, including but not limited to Water/Sanitation/Hygiene (WASH), Security and Logistics, Shelter and Reconstruction, Livelihoods, and Education highly desirable Fluency in a language in addition to English highly desired, French or Spanish preferred Experience as a manager or team leader Computer equipment and basic bookkeeping Technical knowledge of communications equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent. MA preferred. (Degree in International Development, International Relations, Emergency Management, Humanitarian Affairs, International Health, or related field desired). Three to five years of experience working in humanitarian, relief, and development sector required. International training and education as well as experience in emergency services desired. Significant time living abroad preferred.

TO APPLY: Submit your cover letter (notes) and resume to hrjobs@gbgm-umc.org . Please write the job title in the subject line of the email. Applications received by May 13, 2011 will receive immediate review. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Closing date: 13 May 2011 — United Methodist Committee on Relief