*** Unable to provide sponsorship at this time. Only considering persons eligible to work in the United States.

Position Title: Team Lead, Response and Preparedness 

Supervisor’s Title: Director of Response and Preparedness 

Exemption Status: Exempt 

Positions Supervised: Response Specialists 

Location: Charlotte, N.C. with travel to other U.S. and international locations as needed 

BACKGROUND: 

Global Support and Development (GSD) is a humanitarian organization whose mission is to work with regional, national, and local communities across the Caribbean, Central America and South Pacific for resilience to crisis through rapid response, disaster preparedness, and climate adaptation. 

GSD began as an impromptu response to Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu in 2015. Since our founding, we have worked with a number of regional, national and local communities and supported various international and United States domestic disaster response and preparedness efforts.  Our first response defined the core of GSD’s DNA as an organization – to work with communities – led by their needs, filling the gaps they have identified, while leveraging unique approaches and capabilities with an innovation mindset. By integrating our team’s diverse skill sets and resources into local responses, we provide rapid response assistance to affected communities in coordination with regional, national, and local community partners. We work to support and strengthen local capacity through disaster preparedness initiatives, including innovation and climate adaptation, to reduce the impact disasters and the climate crisis have on communities.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Team Lead (TL) is an individual that possesses the experience, competencies, and skill set necessary to facilitate effective operation of diverse teams in the field in dynamic, sometimes acute emergency, contexts. They should understand all team functions including Response and Preparedness, Capabilities, Partnerships, external communications, Information/MEAL, Logistics, and Health, have strong organizational understanding and skills, and embody key leadership characteristics. 

As the primary point of contact for partners and associates of GSD, the TL serves as the liaison between the team and other stakeholders, ensuring the team can focus on their work on site of GSD operations. As a dedicated role in GSD, the TLs have authority to make decisions in the field, and are responsible for team safety and security. When not in the field, they continue ongoing work streams, focus on operational planning for engagements and/or responses, and build capacity of colleagues in the Engagements section and support the development of efficient processes across GSD. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provide effective leadership, planning, and support for multi-disciplinary teams including Response Specialists and other internal members, to ensure effective implementation of engagements and responses; 
2. Collaborate with the Director of Response and Preparedness and other senior management (Director of Capabilities, Director of Partnerships, etc.) to plan effective responses to partner requests for capacity strengthening and disaster response;
3. Assign tasks, roles, and responsibilities within the team, recruiting relevant support/expertise needed from within GSD, or externally as appropriate; monitoring progress, and identifying solutions to obstacles faced by the team or team members;
4. Ensure appropriate adaptation of team activities to dynamic contexts in the field, while remaining in line with partner requests and senior management’s direction;
5. Identify and propose solutions to operational challenges in the field; 
6. Proactively monitor and assess the safety and security of the team when in the field, liaising closely with GSD’s Safety and Security team, and reporting any concerns or incidents to the Director of Response and the Safety and Security Advisor;
7. Establish and maintain positive relationships to facilitate effective coordination with partners and other stakeholders in the field, including government representatives, community leaders, other INGOs and local NGOs, and UN agencies. This will be expected to be documented and reported back to the organization;
8. Represent GSD externally with diverse stakeholders; 
9. Ensure appropriate monitoring and reporting of team activities to facilitate effective MEAL activities, in collaboration with the MEAL Manager;
10. Lead documentation of activities, including writing after action reports and contributing to relevant lessons learning activities to inform future engagements and responses; 
11. Provide effective coordination and communication both within the Response Team, and within the wider GSD team, to minimize internal misunderstandings, and to help manage/respond to any miscommunications effectively and professionally;
12. Ensure continuity of given work streams throughout planning, implementation, and close-out processes, and, as appropriate, provide thorough handover to ensure effective continuation of activities;
13. Prompt and action GSD’s core values of accountability, humility, and integrity in all work we conduct;
14. Promote good stewardship of financial and other resources to achieve maximum benefit to those impacted by disaster or at risk of impact; and
15. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Required Experience:

• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in managing disaster response and/or humanitarian emergency response programs and teams;
• At least one to two (1-2) years of supervisory experience; and
• Proven experience developing programs and teams.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred; or
• Equivalent experience and training.

Professional Licenses/Certifications:

• Certification in project management is desired.

Knowledge/Skills: 

• Demonstrated skills and experience designing and implementing programs and strategic, operational design and delivery of activities;
• Proven capacity in project management, staff management, multi-tasking and prioritization, time management, intercultural communication, partner engagement, and diplomacy;
• Experience managing teams in safety-sensitive and fast-paced environments; 
• Excellent communication skills, both internally and externally, written and verbal;
• Innovative and creative problem solver; 
• Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a member of a diverse team, including the ability to effectively utilize team members with disparate skillsets and experiences pursuing multidisciplinary activities; 
• Comfortable actively listening to new and different perspectives of crisis-affected communities, stakeholders, and team members, maintaining effective dialogues and team collaboration, and ensuring feedback is incorporated into GSD operations and team activities;
• Shows awareness of strengths and weaknesses, and their impact on others and the team; and recognizes skills of other team members and how they complement the team;
• Inspires others by clearly articulating and demonstrating the values, core purpose and principles that underpin humanitarian work and of GSD; and speaks out clearly for GSD values and principles;
• Maintains broad strategic perspective at the same time as awareness of detail of a situation; and exercises judgment and effective analysis in challenging situations even in the absence of specific guidance;
• Demonstrated ability to understand the political and cultural context in operational areas; able to apply lenses of protection, humanitarian principles, gender, diversity, and inclusion aspects within a disaster response; promotes and ensures compliance with humanitarian standards and principles that inform behavior of staff;
• Discernment for confidentiality in relation to organizational, partner, and donor activities and communications;
• Experience leading diverse teams into complex, post-disaster situations; 
• Must have effective communication skills - both internally and externally, and both spoken and written communication; 
• Ability to effectively utilize diverse team members with a wide range of skill sets and competencies in service of achieving the team’s objective, and must be comfortable addressing conflicts in a professional and constructive manner;

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to rapidly shift tasks;
• Experience working and/or traveling domestically and internationally; and
• Working knowledge of Spanish and/or French desired. 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• At this time, GSD is not offering sponsorship and is only accepting applications from persons eligible to work in the United States; and 
• Routine domestic and international travel up to 60% is required.

BENEFITS: 

You'll get..

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Premiums 100% covered by GSD for employee, employee spouse, employee family
• Basic Life, AD&D, and Long Term Disability Insurance: Fully covered by GSD
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): Up to $4,000 in total annually for employee 2 or more family members
• Voluntary Life Insurance: Options available at reasonable group rates
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): All employees are eligible for a minimum of 6 weeks of PTO per year after 90 days of service
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks paid by GSD 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional Career Development Opportunities 
• 401(k): GSD will match up to 6% of base salary for all employees ages 21 . Employees are eligible to begin contributing after 1 pay cycle, and the company match will go into effect immediately after employee begins contributing 
• Additional Perks! 

This job description is a summary rather than a detailed list of the duties performed. The essential functions, knowledge, skills, and working conditions may change along with business needs. This job description does not constitute a contract between employer and employee as employment is at will. Global Support and Development provides reasonable accommodations to assist qualified individuals in order to perform the essential functions their job requires.

GSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces all candidates regardless of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), nation of origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military/veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law. GSD promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all candidate selections.