Emergency Response Officer 

DUE: 01 NOV 2023

Job Opportunity – (Two Months Contract)
Emergency Response Officer (Buhera)
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, November 1, 2023

CRS JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Emergency Response Officer
Department: Program Quality
Band: 7
Reports To: WASH Specialist
Country/Location: Zimbabwe / Buhera

CRS Background
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor
and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners, people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Country Background
CRS has been supporting program activities in Zimbabwe since 1989 and has long-standing relationships with Church and non-Church partners and communities throughout the country. Zimbabwe program implements projects through 14 partner organizations in 30 districts in the areas of health, OVC, education, food security and agricultural livelihoods, and peacebuilding.

Job Summary:
The Emergency Response Officer will provide leadership in collaboration and coordination with the CRS
WASH Specialist to implement a cholera emergency response project in Buhera district. You will also build
CRS response and preparedness capacity for any humanitarian and climate change crisis. You will provide
guidance to the Implementing Partner in the implementation of the cholera response project. You will also be responsible capacity strengthening of partners, applying evidence-based approaches and tools.,

You will establish and maintain key working relationships with government, private sector and other agencies working in the WASH space in Buhera district. In addition, you will lead any rapid assessments and execution of emergency WASH interventions that may arise during the course of this project.

Job Responsibilities:

Program Quality
a) Working in partnership with the Implementing Partner for this project you shall implement the
following activities:
✓ Organise and facilitate the holding of the project Inception Meeting and the After-Action
Review with stakeholders at district level.
✓ Working with the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency’s (RIDA) Water Division and
community-based Village Pump Mechanics (VPMs) facilitate the repair/rehabilitation of 50
boreholes in Buhera district.
✓ In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care facilitate the training of 80
Community Volunteers on risk communication and supervise their work.
✓ In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the broader District Water
and Sanitation Sub Committee (DWSSC) facilitate the holding of mobile awareness session
on cholera in Buhera district.
✓ Facilitate the training of 16 School Health Coordinators on cholera risk communication.
✓ Support the IP in the identification, registration, and distribution of WASH Non-Food Items
(NFIs) and dignity kits to targeted project participants.
✓ Facilitate the training of 20 Environmental Health Practitioners on cholera surveillance and
contact tracing.
✓ Facilitate the training of nurses from 5 Cholera Treatment Centers on cholera case
management.

✓ Support identified CTCs with critical medical supplies and equipment to help towards
bringing the cholera emergency under control.
✓ Develop and maintain relationships with relevant government entities at the district, levels,
other NGOs, and private sector stakeholders.
✓ Develop relationships with leaders of various communitiesto ensure support and ownership
of projectactivities with the aim of enabling:
✓ Anticipate challenges, risks, and possible advances, to suggest appropriate adjustments to
bring theprogram at different stages of execution.
✓ Contribute to MEAL aspects of WASH projects, in coordination with CRS M&E Officer, Field
Officers,Project Managers and partner staff. Ensure activities incorporate Justice Lens,
Child Protection, Gender-Sensitive, and Integral HumanDevelopment approaches.

Budget Management:
a) Provide financial management assistance to the project activities, as necessary or when requested.
b) Ensure compliance follows CRS sub-recipient and other CRS and donor financial policies.

Planning/Reporting
a) Provide input in the compilation ofmonthly/quarterly/ end of project/ CRS or donorreports or data
information sheets ina timely manner.
b) Provide monthly reports describing in detail the activities and results.

Training/Capacity-Strengthening/Technical Support in coordination with the CRS CP WASH Specialist

a) Identify staff, partners and communities needs for training, technical assistance, and capacity-
strengthening.

b) Identify, adapt, and/or develop high-quality training materials in the technical area to meet project
staff and/or community training needs. Coordinate required training. Facilitate training as required.
c) Undertake field visits to project sites in order to solicit community feedback on project progress and
provide technical assistance in a timely manner.
d) Assist partners to implement project work plan.

Representation and Program Growth
a) Identify programming gaps, opportunities for scaling-up interventions, and opportunities to replicate
sound practices in the technical area.
b) Provide technical input into the development of new proposals, as needed.
c) Attend technical working groups and other meetings in the technical area in Buhera district and on
behalf of the project when required.
d) Foster linkages with other CRS/Zimbabwe projects and pursue opportunities for project
integration/collaboration.
e) In collaboration with partners and field staff, identify and document project lessons learned, sound
practices and success stories.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• A Degree in Environmental Health, Health Promotion, Nursing, Development Studies or any health-
related qualification.
• Minimum of 5 years of community development and/or project management experience in a
government, NGO, or UN agency environment.
• Experience in WASH demonstrated through previous experience.
• Experience in community development work, capacity building, and strategic planning.
• Demonstrated experience in community mobilization, organization, and mediation among local
actors.
• Proven capacity to work in a multidisciplinary and cross-cultural team to implement projects and
activities.

Personal Skills
• Demonstrated capacities to establish and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with
donors, government officials, local organizations, communities, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to transfer knowledge and skillsformally and informally to diverse audiences.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently. Proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work under pressure, balancing competing demands to achieve agreed-upon results.
• Excellent oral and writing communication skills, in both English and the appropriate local language
preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications,
knowledge-sharing networks.
Travel Required (95% field based locations)

Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory: None
Internal: WASH Specialist, Head of Programming, Emergency Response Focal Person
External: Relevant government line ministries, technical working groups at district level, DWSSC,
District Civil Protection Committee.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill
his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
• Strategic Mindset
• Integrity
• Accountability & Stewardship
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities
associated with the position.

TO APPLY

Submit the application to: Zimbabwe.crs@crs.org