Emergency Officer

About the Organization

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading international humanitarian NGO responding to critical crises worldwide. Operating in over 40 countries and 29 US cities, IRC delivers programs aimed at restoring health, safety, education, economic stability, and empowerment for communities devastated by conflict or disaster. Founded in 1933 by Albert Einstein, the organization is committed to dignity, safety, and hope for millions.

Role Purpose

The Emergency Officer role supports the planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting of emergency response and disaster risk reduction efforts within the country program. Working closely with the Emergency Manager, this role conducts assessments, coordinates interventions, engages with community stakeholders and partners, monitors emerging crisis indicators, and ensures the timely, compliant delivery of emergency projects aligned with IRC policies and humanitarian standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist rapid assessments, baseline surveys, and emergency field data collection to identify humanitarian needs and priorities.
• Support development of project implementation plans, budgets, work plans, technical guidelines, and standard operating procedures for emergency responses.
• Participate in contingency planning and preparedness initiatives.
• Coordinate and implement emergency interventions at assigned locations, ensuring quality and adherence to plans.
• Promote meaningful beneficiary participation, inclusivity, protection, and accountability in all activities.
• Contribute to procurement processes by providing technical inputs and monitoring supplies.
• Ensure compliance with IRC policies, donor requirements, and humanitarian principles throughout implementation.
• Collect, validate, and compile monitoring data and indicators; support M&E framework execution and conduct field monitoring visits with reporting.
• Maintain accurate documentation including beneficiary records and project progress reports.
• Manage accountability systems, including community feedback and complaint mechanisms.
• Document lessons learned, success stories, and best practices.
• Prepare routine reports (weekly, monthly, quarterly) on activity progress and emerging risks.
• Engage community mobilization and awareness activities, fostering strong collaboration with local authorities and partners.
• Participate in coordination meetings and promote inclusion of vulnerable groups in programming.
• Monitor evolving humanitarian contexts and support rapid deployment of emergency responses during crises.
• Take part in preparedness exercises and contingency planning; assist in outbreak and displacement response operations.
• Ensure strict adherence to IRC Code of Conduct, safeguarding, donor regulations, and protection policies.
• Report safeguarding concerns, security incidents, and operational risks promptly through appropriate channels.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree or Diploma in public health, nursing, community development, clinical medicine, or a related discipline.
• At least three years of practical experience managing emergency programming, relief, or development projects, including successful oversight of large community-based humanitarian interventions.
• Minimum of three years working experience in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) regions.

Required Competencies

• Proven project management abilities.
• Technical expertise in designing and executing humanitarian responses and managing disease outbreaks.
• Experience employing community engagement, participatory methods, and negotiation techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication capabilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills enabling effective collaboration within teams.
• Good understanding of SPHERE standards and other humanitarian and national guidelines.
• Proficiency in MS Office and relevant software applications.

Professional Standards

All IRC staff are expected to uphold the core values outlined in the IRC Way: Integrity, Service, Equality, and Accountability. The organization enforces strict policies around safeguarding, conflict of interest, fiscal integrity, and protection from retaliation, aiming to foster a safe environment free from harm.