Program Manager - Emergency Command Center at Emergency Response Africa (ERA)

Responsibilities:

• Emergency Response Leadership: Lead the organization's emergency response efforts, including coordinating with internal teams, external agencies, and stakeholders to ensure a prompt and effective response to emergencies and disasters.
• Situation Analysis and Reporting: Thoroughly gather evidence on the current state of emergency response operations, impact, challenges, and opportunities. Create a comprehensive situation report and business/impact case for optimization and scaling of the emergency response operations across the state.
• Team Management: Supervise and support a team of emergency management professionals, including paramedics, medical dispatchers, drivers, and community first responders. Provide guidance, training, and resources to enable team members to perform their roles effectively.
• Command Centre Operations: Oversee the operation of the emergency command centre, ensuring 24/7 readiness to monitor, assess, and respond to emergency situations. Coordinate communication, resource allocation, and decision-making processes during emergencies.
• Collaboration and Coordination: Foster strong partnerships and collaboration with internal departments, external agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders involved in emergency response and recovery efforts.
• Training and Exercises: Develop and conduct training programs, drills, and exercises to ensure staff readiness and competency in emergency response procedures. Evaluate performance during exercises and identify areas for improvement.Emergency Planning and Preparedness: Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive emergency response plans, procedures, and protocols to address a wide range of potential emergencies, including natural disasters, security threats, and public health crises.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Conduct risk assessments and vulnerability analyses to identify potential threats and hazards. Develop strategies and mitigation measures to reduce risks and enhance organizational resilience.
• Incident Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for managing major incidents and emergencies. Activate and lead incident management teams as needed, ensuring a coordinated and effective response.
• Communication and Public Relations: Develop communication strategies and protocols for internal and external stakeholders during emergencies. Ensure timely and accurate dissemination of information to minimize confusion and facilitate informed decision-making.
• Performance Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to assess the effectiveness of emergency response activities. Monitor performance, analyze data, and implement improvements based on lessons learned.

Qualifications:

• MBBS or bachelor’s degree in public health or related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Proven experience in healthcare, emergency management, disaster response, or a related field, with at least 5 years of leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of emergency management principles, procedures, and best practices.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate staff in high-pressure situations.
• Exceptional decision-making, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in technology use and triage protocols.
• Willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and respond to emergencies on short notice.

Working Conditions:

•  This role operates primarily in an office environment but may involve fieldwork and on-call responsibilities. The position requires the ability to work under pressure in high-stress situations.