Job Purpose
The American Red Cross (ARC) seeks a Regional Technical Advisor, Preparedness for the Latin America and Caribbean region (LAC).
This position will serve as the programmatic technical focal point for country level Preparedness activities in the American Red Cross International Services Department (ISD) in the LAC region, covering 3-5 countries.
The position will provide technical oversight of traditional and innovative preparedness projects and initiatives of the American Red Cross (including the Global Disaster Preparedness Center -GDPC).
These focus primarily on community preparedness (covering rural / urban, youth / school-based DRR, individual, household and neighborhood preparedness including early warning systems) as well as institutional preparedness activities (supporting National Societies in the region).
Additionally, this position will contribute to the GDPC’s knowledge management efforts by supporting research, and facilitating data collection, analysis and dissemination.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Provide technical input and guidance on community and institutional preparedness projects to national societies, including the American Red Cross and key partners.
These include Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, and Honduras, with occasional work in other countries in the region.
Conduct field visits to ensure quality assurance and evaluation of institutional preparedness activities
Collaborate with country delegations to conceive, design, and develop projects and programs.
Support and socialize the new approaches from American Red Cross related to Climate Change, Protection, Gender and Inclusion, Migration / Displacement, Community Engagement, and other related duties, as assigned
Contribute to or lead writing on Disaster and Preparedness / Disasters Risk Reduction related concept notes and proposals.
Help identify new trends in Disaster Preparedness / Disasters Risk Reduction, linking with other Red Cross Red Crescent / IFRC and humanitarian actors.
Keep country offices updated on relevant tools, resources, guidance documents and trends, and support efforts to plan future programs and strategies.
Support and facilitate coalition building around broader Movement preparedness initiatives.
Support internal and external coordination among relevant parties related to institutional preparedness
Build internal capacity on community and institutional preparedness, by providing training and disseminating latest guidance and resources from American Red Cross.
Supporting IFRC’s efforts to strategically bridge various institutional preparedness themes.
Help the IFRC develop preparedness guidance as needed.
Help incorporate measurement approaches to capture knowledge transfer; behavior change and impact across projects and programs.
Develop and maintain doctrine approach to institutional preparedness working closely with Head Quarters and Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC) staff and partners.
Collaborates with American Red Cross International Services Department (ISD), response team and their Readiness to Respond priorities and the Recovery team and their institutional recovery strategies
Education
BA in International Affairs, Disaster Management / DRR, Humanitarian Assistance, or related fields.
Administration, industrial engineering, or Humanitarian sciences master’s degree
Project Management degree and implementation in humanitarian actions, preferred
Experience
5-7 years of experience in in disaster risk reduction, resilience, disaster preparedness and / or disaster response
Experience working and leading in a matrixed management structure desired
Experience working with local / national partners
Experience and knowledge of Project Management and the project management cycle, including project design, launch, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
Experience delivering community-based programs (required); experience working at a technical level (tools, analysis, evaluations, trainings).
Strong understanding of different methods of monitoring and evaluation including new technology-based approaches.
Experience working with or for the Red Cross or similar humanitarian NGO
Experience in proposal writing, project design, and other fundraising methodologies is desirable
Experience with incorporating Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) in community-based programs and projects.
Experience integrating community engagement and accountability approaches in community programs and projects.
Knowledge, Skills and Language
Must be detail-oriented and organized and have strong analytical skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and diplomacy.
Must be flexible and willing to participate in conference calls outside of regular business hours, work remotely and travel if needed.
Must be able to work and problem-solve independently, meet multiple deadlines, and interface with a broad spectrum of Nationals Head Quarters, regional and chapter staff.
Prior experience managing grants (USAID, Foundation awards preferable) as well as sub-recipient relationships, preferred.
Candidate must have strong verbal and written communications skills and must demonstrate familiarity with evolving industry standards.
Must be responsible, self-motivated, and have the ability to work independently.
Ability to travel internationally up from 20-30%.
General comfort level with technology is required with proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, SharePoint and PowerPoint expected.
Also, familiarity with Salesforce, Google Drive, Drop Box, Zoom / MS Teams
LANGUAGES :
Fluently spoken and written English / Spanish
Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic), preferred
Competencies and Values
VALUES : Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
CORE COMPETENCIES : Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and Decision Making; National Societies and Customer Relations;
Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust
MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES : Managing Staff Performance; Managing Staff Development; Strategic Orientation
FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES : Strategic Orientation; Leadership; Empowering Others
Comments
Applicants will need to send their applications together with a letter of motivation no later than the closing date. In order for us to assure proper comparative evaluation of your application for this vacancy and to enable us to consider your profile against other similar current and future vacancies, we ask that you submit your application taking into account the following :
Important Note :
Please note that the selected candidate will be hired through a national contract; therefore, only nationals of Panama or foreigners holding a valid work permit will be considered.
The incumbent is responsible to abide by Federation policies, procedures, plans, and applicable national laws.
The closing date is midnight Geneva time
Only those candidates shortlisted for interviews will be notified
The position will be based in Panama. 
