DMT National Specialist (Flexible, all IRUSA Offices) - Islamic Relief USA

JOB TITLE:          DMT National Specialist

STATUS:              Full-time

LOCATION:         Flexible, all IRUSA Offices

DIVISION:           Programs

Position summary

This position coordinates the national disaster preparedness, response and recovery work of Islamic Relief USA, and participates as a member of the national Disaster Management Team (DMT).  The position serves as subject-matter expert in Disaster Management and build capacity of staff in this field through training, coaching and mentoring. In addition, S/he has lead responsibility for disaster response in the United States.  The Specialist is responsible for communication internally to IRUSA colleagues and externally with a wide range of national, state and local partners.  S/he is responsible for developing and maintaining relations within the community and s/he ensures IRUSA and its qualified volunteers are engaged in the full disaster management cycle. This candidate must show commitment to IRUSA’s values, ethics, brand, vision, and mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Has lead responsibility for maintaining and sharing detailed information about DMT activities and deployments, internally with other IRUSA divisions and externally with State and National Voluntary Organizations Active in disasters (VOAD’s).
• Ensure monitoring of disasters and emergencies with regional staff and shares timely and informative written reports with stakeholders, including the current and projected status of the event and partner and VOAD engagement.
• Led preparation and review of formal Situation Reports for disasters and emergencies when IRUSA is engaged or when IRUSA action is recommended, including the proposed IRUSA disaster level and recommended engagement.
• Coordinate submission of periodic reports on preparedness activities, preparedness assessments, volunteer training and mobilization, and regional activities.
• Develop and maintain a preparedness program that engages the American Muslim Community and IRUSA grantees with the objective of capacity building, Disaster trainings and connecting to DMT overall disaster network nationally.
• Engage IRUSA grantees in times of disasters to help facilitate effective response to disasters nationwide and coordinate with US programs on grantee capabilities and needs.
• Develops and proposes strategies for engaging IRUSA constituencies in preparedness activities, in coordination with the IRUSA Community Outreach office and DMT headquarters.
• Maintains excellent communication and coordination with government entities, peer organizations and others engaged in the field of emergency services, operations and community preparedness.
• Coordinates closely with the other members of the IRUSA Disaster Response Team.
• Coordinate closely with Disaster Response Manager with managing National partnerships, and coordinating with National Disaster coordination bodies such as NVOAD and FEMA.
• Lead the operational capacity building of DMT response program and coordinate strategies and implementation with Disaster Response manager.
• Develop and maintain an IRUSA DMT training curriculum for IRUSA volunteers and coordinate with IRUSA Volunteer Management office and DMT program partners.
• Oversees the work and performance of volunteers working with the Disaster Response Team, both within the region and in other locations where deployed.
• Serve as a logistical support and Liaison to and with the US Programs team.
• Performs needs assessments to inform decision-making about IRUSA involvement.
• Executes a comprehensive regional response when required.
• In most circumstances, serves as the primary operational leader in the region for disasters and emergencies of all scales.
• Joins response and recovery operations in other regions as leader or team member as requested.
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation of DMT programs and initiatives in the region.
• Contribute knowledge, ideas and gained experience to IRUSA colleagues through formal and informal channels.
• Participate and contribute in regular IRUSA meetings and events.
• Fulfill IRUSA administrative requirements, including submission of reports, forms, and other records.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience working in disaster services or related discipline.
• Must exhibit willingness to learn or readiness to acquire new knowledge and develop.
• Knowledge of NIMS (National Incident Management System)
• Experienced in managing diverse volunteer teams in the field.
• Must possess effective interpersonal and oral communications skills.  
• Effective written communications skills, including significant exposure to generating reports and narratives and the ability to tailor communication to different audiences
• Must exhibit analytical and strong problem solving skills.
• Ability to self-manage multiple priorities.
• Proven ability to exhibit cultural competence and sensitivity in working with a wide array of ethnicities, and history of maintaining relationships with these same communities.
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office and use of databases.
• Ability to travel minimum 30% of the time and be deployed for up to 3 months in the event of a disaster.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

At Islamic Relief USA we are committed to safeguarding and protecting all individuals we come into contact with through our work. IRUSA representatives must adhere to its organizational values: Sincerity, Excellence, Compassion, Social Justice, and Custodianship. In accordance with these values, IRUSA operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Code of Ethics, and Anti-Harassment and Discrimination.