Regional Emergency Response Advisor (French-Speaking Africa)

About the role

The STRIDES Regional Emergency Response Advisor supports outbreak response planning, coordination and implementation across French-speaking Africa, ideally bringing prior experience with high-consequence pathogens such as viral hemorrhagic fevers. The advisor aligns country programmes with STRIDES leadership, tracks and reports on response efforts, coordinates with technical, finance and operations teams, develops tools and guidance, and creates knowledge products such as reports and technical materials. The role also contributes to business development, including proposals and partnerships, and is based in Dakar or Yaoundé.

Key responsibilities

• Lead outbreak response and preparedness activities in line with STRIDES protocols and in-country incident management systems, and coordinate day-to-day response across technical, operational and administrative teams.
• Standardise response processes across countries (reporting templates, deployment trackers, coordination tools) and integrate lessons learned into tools and guidance.
• Provide technical direction to project staff, mentor junior staff and partners, and lead the technical part of project plans, work plans and budgets.
• Manage collaboration with the research and evaluation team, and lead the development and dissemination of tools, reports, papers and intervention materials.
• Work with the Digital Transformation and Technology team on response tracking systems (dashboards, trackers, logs).
• Maintain relationships with donors, governments and NGOs, lead proposal research and review proposals, budgets and work plans, and represent the organisation at meetings and conferences.
• Develop and deliver technical training, supervise staff locally and in the region, and oversee emergency procurement, consultant deployments and surge staffing.
• Coordinate with the MEL team on tracking response activities, milestones and resource use, and draft sponsor financial and technical reports and presentations.
• Ensure technical deliverables meet best practice and contractual obligations, and improve efficiency through quality assurance.

Required profile

• Ideal background in outbreak response, preferably with high-consequence pathogens.
• Solid knowledge of standards, operational processes and procedures in the technical field, and ability to manage projects and set priorities.
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills.

Required skills

• Computer software skills, including standard office applications.
• Knowledge of standards and operational procedures in the technical area.