Project manager: Disaster response (Caribbean)

Posting ID 58 258

Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. The purpose and goal of Habitat for Humanity International is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses in partnership with families in need.

Habitat for Humanity has an Operational Headquarters in Americus, Georgia and an Administrative Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, and is a global, non-profit ministry where HFHI employees build futures and lives.

Job description

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is currently seeking a highly competent and motivated individual to serve as Project Manager, Caribbean Disaster Response. Reporting to HFHI Director, Housing and Human Settlements who is based in our Latin America/Caribbean (LAC) Area Office (AO), located in San Jose, Costa Rica, this position will be based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This critical position is responsible for leading the development and implementation of HFHI Disaster Risk Reduction and Response strategy in LAC, working with all LAC HFH national organizations and with particular emphasis on those geographical areas subject to seasonal natural hazards.

Additional key responsiblities include:

• Implement, manage, and support disaster response projects in field locations, including travel to current/proposed project areas to perform rapid assessments, project formulation and inception, training and capacity-building, collaborating with the HQ Disaster Response Department.
• Establish coordination and networking relationships and seek collaborative work and partnerships with other humanitarian/development agencies involved in disaster response and disaster risk reduction.
• Assist HFH national organizations affected by disasters and/or complex emergencies in developing programs to increase their capacity to meet shelter and housing needs of their communities. Facilitates and provides guidance in transition from temporary/emergency shelter activities to standard, long-term HFH construction practices.
• Develop disaster response processes and policy protocols, in coordination with the LAC AO, for emergency response operations in the Caribbean including HFHI national offices. . Assess existing business procedures relating to disaster response and make recommendations for strengthening response programs while promoting mitigation and disaster preparedness activities, techniques and awareness.
• Evaluate and make recommendations on project organization issues, logistics, program delivery and methods of construction. Advise and train staff in shelter, housing and settlement related issues, particularly in areas of new and alternative/innovative concepts and construction processes that support the goal of disaster risk reduction and post-disaster holistic shelter assistance.
• Explore funding opportunities and write proposals to obtain funds to develop capacity in NO's, support responses to disasters within the region and implement Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation projects.
• Lead and collaborate with the Area Office and national organizations teams and departments to mainstream Disaster Risk Reduction, Mitigation and Response Strategies in normal operations, and participate as team member in other global or regional strategic initiatives contributing DRRR expertise and perspectives.
• Coordinate and implement community based trainings in the community level and support other related activities within the Dominican Republic National Office DRRR program.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, development, or related field
• Minimum 6 to 10 years experience in facilitating processes and/or managing prevention, mitigation, preparedness and disaster response programs and alliances in a multinational environment
• 5+ years experience in the Shelter and Settlement sector.
• Fluent in English and Spanish (both spoken and written)
• Excellent spoken and written communications skills
• Systemic thinking and analytical problem solving
• Strong people skills with the ability to bridge alliances and build partnerships
• Proven organizational and project management skills
• Strategic thinking and planning skills