Humanitarian Advisor – FCAS At Trócaire

Can be Located: Ireland, Kenya, United Kingdom & Zimbabwe

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.

Trócaire’s humanitarian programmes are largely implemented in partnership with local civil society and faith-based organisations. Our humanitarian response programmes include Food Security and Livelihood (FSL), WASH, Protection, Health, Nutrition as well as CASH as a cross cutting sectoral intervention.

Humanitarian response is a key cornerstone of Trócaire’s Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025, aiming to grow in scale over the period, particularly building on our niche in Humanitarian Protection. This position as a Humanitarian advisor will have a high profile in supporting the implementation of high-quality humanitarian programming in Trócaire’s programmes in Fragile and Conflict Affected States advising relevant staff and partners at all stages of the programme cycle, including planning, assessment, design, implementation and M&E in line with international quality and accountability standards for humanitarian interventions. This may include providing surge capacity and/or taking the lead in humanitarian response programmes. We are particularly keen to attract candidates with some WASH expertise.

The priority countries for this role are Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia and Sudan (South Kordofan/ Blue Nile) and the post holder is expected to travel 3 – 4 months a year.

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 Humanitarian Manager – Operational. The role can be based in a Trocaire Country Office in one of the following countries: Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ireland, UK

Key responsibilities

General Humanitarian Advisory Role

• Support Trócaire humanitarian and country staff and partners in the design and implementation of principled, needs-based humanitarian response programmes
• Provide technical advice on emergency preparedness and humanitarian response to Trócaire staff and local partners
• Provide surge deployment to cover gaps in country teams for short periods
• Convene Emergency Management Team meetings with priority countries on a monthly basis to facilitate crisis monitoring, identification of support needs, trouble shooting etc)
• Support the implementation of, and adherence to, programmatic and organisation-wide, systems and procedures for ensuring good practice to meet sectoral standards in humanitarian protection, accountability and programme quality. These standards include but are not limited to; the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief, the Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response, Core Humanitarian Standard; Minimum Environmental Requirements

Support to Institutional Funding of Humanitarian Programmes

• Provide technical review of proposals ensuring donor requirements and approaches are considered and proposals are in line with humanitarian technical standards
• Support country teams in their oversight and monitoring of humanitarian grant implementation, undertaking field monitoring, coordinating internal reviews and learning exercises when required
• On occasion, support, or lead on the development and submission of high-quality funding proposals (including narrative and financial elements) for humanitarian programmes, often to tight deadlines

Emergency Preparedness and Contingency Planning

• Develop quarterly humanitarian forecasting for FCAS portfolio countries to facilitate timely and appropriate country level preparedness and response actions
• Support Trócaire country offices and pre-selected partners in the development, roll-out and the implementation of up-to-date Emergency Preparedness Plans through training, monitoring and follow up.
• Support the roll-out of contingency planning for Trócaire offices and partners in advance of predictable crises, and subsequent responses to the same

Working with the Humanitarian Team and Cross-Organisationally

• Work closely with the Fragile and Conflict Affected States country portfolios to identify opportunities for joint funding, programming and learning on various themes including conflict sensitivity, Resilience and Nexus programming.
• Work closely with the Humanitarian Protection Advisors to ensure gender and protection are addressed in all aspects of programming work, both in relation to partners and in working with colleagues in Trócaire.
• Work closely with the Humanitarian EFSL and Cash Advisors to ensure high quality emergency food security, livelihoods and cash programmes are effective, appropriate and timely.
• Work closely with the Programme Impact and Learning (PIL) team and M&E colleagues on relevant assessments, documenting evidence on effectiveness of to inform improved practices and quality programming.
• Work closely with the Institutional Funding Advisors to develop high quality proposals and reports for donors.
• Work closely with the Humanitarian Policy and colleagues in the Policy Unit to support the development of humanitarian programme and policy work as required

Engaging with external stakeholders on humanitarian response

• Take a lead role in building links with and representing Trócaire within humanitarian networks and / or working groups
• Promote Trócaire’s humanitarian work through the Caritas network, including through active participation in inter-agency Caritas initiatives on humanitarian response

Other Duties

• Any other reasonable duty as may be assigned by Humanitarian Manager or Head of Humanitarian Programmes that is consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility. This will include the promotion of Trócaire through the media in conjunction with the Trócaire Communications Unit.
• International travel and work
• Be willing to travel for up to 4 months per year and to undertake the above tasks in project locations worldwide, sometimes in insecure environments and at short notice. This would normally include blocks of up to 3 weeks travel but could include longer secondments when required.

Qualifications and experience:

• 5 years’ experience in the humanitarian sector, including at least 2 years international experience preferably in complex or insecure environments.
• Third level qualification in humanitarianism, development or related area and/or relevant humanitarian training and experience
• Desirable:
• WASH experience / qualification
• Familiarity and appreciation of working in a partnership model and locally led humanitarian response
• Experience of working with, and a demonstrated understanding of, humanitarian standards and principles of good practice, including, humanitarian protection, CHS, SPHERE, LEGS, Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief & IHL instruments.
• Experience of working with a range of institutional donors.

Skills

• Fluency in written and spoken English (French and/ or Spanish desirable)
• A knowledge and understanding of key established and emerging humanitarian and development issues.
• Project cycle management skills.
• Ability to think strategically and programmatically.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Able to work effectively with colleagues and partners (secular, Church, other faith based).
• An understanding of the need for, and a commitment to, cross-organisational working.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team.

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.

Other

• Willingness to travel and work in developing countries where and when required and at short notice.

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