Background
The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) is seeking a visionary and dynamic Emergency Response Manager with a good grasp of displacement and humanitarian issues to further develop and strengthen SAMS’ work in emergency response and start-up in new countries with humanitarian needs. The overall purpose of the position is to plan and implement assessments and start-up of new emergency programs. The Emergency Response Manager is also responsible for developing overall preparedness and emergency response capacity.
SAMS established the SAMS Global Response (SGR) Unit in 2016 to strengthen the capacity to respond to urgent needs when a crisis occurs. SGR operates a volunteer medical roster and a Gift in Kind (GIK) operation, and would like to expand its emergency response team. SGR also leads in the development of global standards, tools and guidelines for emergency response within SAMS. Further, SAMS has a regional team based in Amman, Jordan, which provides support to new programs within the Mideast.
The Emergency Response Manager currently has one direct report, the SGR Grants and Finance Officer; though more reports could develop as grant funding for the emergency program grows. The Emergency Response Manager will need to work well both independently as well as with various country teams, relevant departments and staff, and other stakeholders.
The Emergency Response Manager’s responsibilities include:
- Ensure rapid deployment to assess needs, initiate coordination and lead the start-up of any required first response programs in affected countries.
- Develop proposals, seek emergency funding, and maintain relationships with donors and key stakeholders.
- Develop a rapid-response mechanism to support deployments or urgent support to meet emergency needs.
- Represent SAMS at relevant inter-agency forums related to emergency response, explore, and engage in strategic partnerships.
- Overall, budget responsibility and authority, ensuring optimal use of the section’s resources.
- Performance management and staff recruitment & development of relevant staff.
- Develop and expand upon existing SAMS emergency-response tools, guidelines and methodologies relevant for emergency response.
- Review, monitor, and evaluate new and existing emergency response programs.
- Ensure implementation of and adherence to SAMS strategies, plans, systems and regulations that are relevant to the department.
- Collaborate with other managers and officers from the Finance, Operations and Programs Department.
- Assist in the start-up of new country programs that require humanitarian assistance.
- Serve on the SGR committee.
Professional competencies
- Minimum of master’s degree in Public Health with at least 6 months experience within the emergency humanitarian field, or a bachelor’s degree in related field with at least 5 years progressive experience at field level.
- Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts.
- Experience in grant writing and fundraising with various donors as well as knowledge of collaborating with strategic partners.
- Knowledge and experience of evaluation, organizational learning/capturing learning.
- Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile.
- Fluency in English, both written and verbal. Knowledge of French, Arabic or Spanish an asset
- Experience with program start-up, exit or similar.
Behavioural competencies essential for the position
- Strategic/analytical thinking.
- Managing resources to optimize results.
- Empowering and building trust.
- Innovation.
- Initiating action and change.
- Managing performance and development.
- Cultural competency.
- Influencing.
We offer:
The position is a full-time position based at SAMS’ Headquarters in Washington, DC.
Salary: $70,000-$75,000 per year.
Only CVs and applications written in English will be assessed.
Late applications will not be considered.
To apply:
Send your recent CV copy and cover letter with ‘Emergency Response Manager’ in the subject line to careers@sams-usa.net. Deadline: October 30, 2018
