Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Manager

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to serve the poor and vulnerable, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on various areas including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to improving the lives of those in need, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. The agency emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS also prioritizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, reflecting its commitment to the rights and dignity of all people.

Job Overview:
The Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Manager will oversee DRR programming within the Middle Belt Country Program (CP) of Catholic Relief Services. This role involves leading the design and implementation of anticipatory action and resilience-building interventions aimed at enhancing the agency's mission to support the poor and vulnerable. The manager will ensure the delivery of high-quality risk-informed programming, which includes preparedness planning, early warning systems, and community-based resilience approaches. The position requires strengthening coordination with government emergency structures and stakeholders, building community capacity to respond to shocks, and driving continuous improvement in DRR interventions. The manager will be responsible for ensuring that project activities meet technical standards and best practices, while also managing project cycles effectively to align with CRS program quality principles and donor requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The DRR Manager will lead the planning of project activities, setting high-quality performance targets and ensuring adherence to technical standards in DRR programming. Responsibilities include liaising with local government units, UN agencies, and community stakeholders for cohesive disaster management approaches, managing project cycles from design to close-out, and ensuring efficient implementation in line with CRS standards. The manager will oversee the use of appropriate systems and tools by project teams, manage talent and supervise staff, provide coaching, and contribute to recruitment processes. Additionally, the manager will champion learning among project staff, analyze project performance data, identify issues, and coordinate capacity strengthening for partner organizations. The role also involves monitoring financial and material resources relevant to project needs and ensuring their efficient use.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have experience engaging with local partner organizations and contributing to technical proposal development. Strong critical thinking, creative problem-solving skills, and relationship management abilities are essential. The ideal candidate should possess strong written and verbal communication skills, with a proven track record in DRR programming, particularly in anticipatory action and early response. A proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented mindset is preferred, along with demonstrated experience in community mobilization and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in disaster management, urban planning, public administration, or related natural sciences is required for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of disaster risk reduction and management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of management or coordination experience in humanitarian and/or development programs that include elements of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to manage projects effectively and work collaboratively with various stakeholders.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this role. Additionally, proficiency in local languages will be considered an advantage, enhancing communication with community stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Benue State, Nigeria, and may require travel up to 50%. The role involves supervisory responsibilities over partner DRR officers and requires strong collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits are based on the country of employment. The agency is committed to safeguarding program participants and expects the successful candidate to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct.