Emergency Response Team Leader (ERTL) - CARE International

CARE is a global leader within a worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty. Our mission around the world is to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice.

Our Core Values describe who we are, what we do, and how we do it.

Job Description

Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, Inc. doing business as CARE International in Ghana (“CARE”) is seeking qualified candidates for a role of Emergency Response Team Leader (ERTL) . The part-time position will be based in the Northern Region with frequent travel to the communities.

Candidate Profile

The Emergency Response Team Leader (ERTL) leads and manages the emergency team and is the interface between the Emergency Team, the Head of Programmes (HoP) and the Country Director. . 

The ERTL is responsible for the quality and effectiveness of CARE’s emergency response in the affected regions in the Northern Ghana Floods. He/she is the leader of the Emergency Response Team, responsible and accountable for developing, coordinating and managing all emergency activities. The ERTL has overall responsibility for the security and well-being of emergency staff.

Key areas of responsibility of the Emergency Response Team Leader will include:

1. Assessment, Program Design and Planning – Ensure emergency assessments are executed and from them an integrated emergency response, implementation and exit strategies are developed. Coordinate the development of all project implementation plans and budgets within the framework of the agreed emergency response programme and strategy.
2. Emergency Project Management and Implementation – Maintain ongoing surveillance of the developing humanitarian situation and adjust activities accordingly. Ensure adequate monitoring, reporting and acquittal of emergency response activities in accordance with CARE International’s humanitarian accountability framework, relevant SPHERE standards, and essential environmental mitigation measures.
3. General Management and Leadership - Ensure all emergency staff are fully briefed on all aspects of security, social and cultural norms and local conditions and behaviour. Establish and maintain constructive working relationships with other NGO’s, UN agencies, host government, bilateral and multilateral donors, and other principle stakeholders including the military where present and if necessary.
4. Safety and Security - Ensure all personnel understand individual and collective responsibilities for safety and security. Liaise with the Security Officer (whether in-country or not) to ensure compliance with CARE International Security Guidelines and their effective application in the local context. Monitor the operational environment with respect to increased level of threat and advise the Country Office staff, CARE International and the CARE International Security Officer.

Required Skills or Experience

• A minimum qualification of a first degree from a recognized University or Tertiary Institution in Development Studies, Planning, Social Studies, Statistics, or similar fields
• At least 3- 5 years humanitarian aid experience in complex and natural disasters.
• High level of all aspects of managerial experience, including managing multi-million dollar budgets.
• Experience in complex decision making and leading a multi-disciplinary, multi national team under difficult circumstances.
• The highest level of expertise in representation and negotiation with governments and donors.
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian emergency operating context, including Sphere, the humanitarian system, donors, security, civil military liaison and program management.
• Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and work with disaster affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.
• Well developed written and oral communication skills. Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of CARE. 
• Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress, high security risks and harsh living conditions. Works and lives in diverse cultural context with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner.
• Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity.
• Multiple local language skills applicable to the operational environment is desirable
• Works with trustworthiness and integrity and has a clear commitment to CARE's core values and humanitarian principles.
• Some humanitarian aid experience will be an advantage.
• In-depth knowledge of humanitarian key sectors a plus: shelter, food security and agriculture, health, nutrition, and or water, sanitation, and hygiene.
• Some knowledge of finance operations, with ability to budget small activities, track expenditures and payments and report.
• Proficiency in the use of Excel Worksheet and good report writing