Director of Domestic Disaster Response ERD

The Program Director: Domestic Disaster Response will oversee ERD’s long term recovery programs in Mississippi and Louisiana associated with Hurricane Katrina.  The DDR will also be responsible for coordinating overall disaster readiness and response programs with ERD’s domestic partners in the Episcopal Church of the United States (ECUSA).  This position participates in strategic and long-range planning, develops and evaluates relationships with implementing partners in the United States, and oversees the financial planning and accounting for the annual budget in the Katrina impacted areas.   Annual budgets for ERD’s Hurricane Katrina Recovery Program are currently more than $4 million/yr, with expectation of annual expansion, as new preparedness budgets are defined.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned; manage local recovery partnerships (current focus on Hurricane Katrina), supervision of all disbursements and oversee the coordination and activity of advisory committees for program areas. Promote disaster planning and training within ECUSA.  The finalist will promote psychosocial trauma training for clergy and lay leaders, cooperate with Public Relations and Donor Departments and contribute to representation of ERD work with local implementing partners. The Director will need to monitor and evaluate the performance of the local partners in Mississippi and Louisiana in a collaborative manner with the local bishops, reporting on challenges and necessary adjustments to ensure program success.

The successful candidate should have the following:  At least 8 years experience in domestic disaster response, preferably with voluntary EMT, NOVA Red Cross or Salvation Army training, and/ or with a faith based relief and development organization.  A master’s degree in Divinity, Public Health, Social Work or related fields.  Extensive experience in developing and managing budgets, projects and financial systems.  Meticulous record keeping skills, comfort with multi tasking with multi million dollar budgeting, income and expense reporting.  Technical proficiency in an area of disaster response recovery, with experience in needs assessment and critical incident stress management.  Superior reasoning skills, with superb oral, written, and diplomatic communication capabilities.  Be a team player and team builder, working within a participatory framework and a fast paced environment.  Knowledge of the Episcopal Church of the United States is strongly encouraged. 

The job includes a heavy travel component, averaging about 35% of time, sometimes to areas that are dangerous and/or physically demanding.   ERD offices provide a standard US work environment.  The program travel is at times to areas marked by poor infrastructure services (lack of paved roads, bathroom facilities, hot water, and communications), and security and health risk.  The Program Director should be able to respond with positive vigor to these travel challenges.