ER Partnership and Training Senior Specialist

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

1 September 2026. Full-time for an initial 12 months.

Role Summary

The Emergency Response (ER) Partnership and Training Team Lead is a new role supporting Medair’s strategic engagement in the RISE Consortium and delivery of the 2025-2029 Strategy, particularly in Emergency Preparedness and Response, Partnerships and Community Engagement. Based within the Global Emergency Response Team (G-ERT), the role supports Medair’s International Country Programmes (ICPs) and ACCORD partners through the development of tools, training, technical guidance, coordination, and external networking. The role also contributes to strategic direction and works closely with the Head of G-ERT and relevant GSO stakeholders to ensure strong alignment and collaboration.

Project Overview 

Medair’s G-ERT exists to save lives and alleviate suffering by responding rapidly to the needs of vulnerable populations through essential health, shelter, and WASH interventions. The G-ERT is a standing global emergency response team designed to deploy within 24 hours of new sudden onset emergencies, conduct needs assessments within three days, and begin delivering lifesaving assistance within one week.  Historically, new G-ERT responses account for 5–10% of Medair’s annual budget, with an average of 1–3 responses each year (around half of which transition into longer-term country programmes). The team is composed of 5–8 emergency response specialists based in Switzerland and remotely. Although part of the G-ERT, this role will mainly support ICPs and partner preparedness between emergencies.    

Workplace & Conditions 

This position is based in Switzerland. Applicants must be Swiss nationals, EU/EFTA citizens, or hold a valid Swiss work permit. The role includes field travel of up to 50% of the year and is offered as a 12-month contract with the possibility of extension, dependent on funding.

Responsibilities:

• Lead Medair's emergency response partnership framework, including policies, standards, tools, templates, and guidance for working with local and international partners.

• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with priority organizations, strengthening collaboration, engagement, and partnership quality across Medair's emergency response portfolio.

• Lead partner capacity-strengthening initiatives by identifying needs and defining approaches that increase partners' ability to respond effectively to emergencies.

• Oversee emergency response learning and training programmes, ensuring relevant curricula, resources, and training opportunities are available for priority partners.

• Strengthen partner preparedness and humanitarian coordination by supporting ICP emergency contingency planning and preparedness, fostering collaboration networks, leading the Emergency Response Community of Practice, facilitating knowledge sharing, and representing Medair in relevant external forums.

Qualifications, Experience & Technical Competencies:  

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification in humanitarian action, disaster management, or a related field.

• Minimum five years’ humanitarian experience, including at least 2–3 years in acute emergency response or start-up contexts; previous Medair experience desirable.

• Strong knowledge of humanitarian principles and standards, with proven experience in security, staff, project cycle, funding, and grant management.

• Experience in emergency coordination, donor engagement, partnerships with local and international NGOs, consortium working, community engagement, and training others.

• Strong English and Microsoft Office skills, with experience in strategic and contingency planning, policy development, and standardising tools.

• French, Arabic, Anticipatory Action, and DRR experience desirable.

Behavioural Skills:  

• Leads and motivates teams in a supportive and collaborative way.

• Communicates clearly and works well with different people and cultures.

• Solves problems and makes good decisions in changing situations.

• Plans well and helps improve tools, policies, and ways of working.

• Manages priorities, stress, and tasks effectively.

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Team Spiritual Life

Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, people we serve, and external contacts. Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based teams. Fully contribute to a rich spiritual team life, including team devotion, prayer, and words of encouragement.

Before you apply

Please ensure you are fully aware of the:

1. Medair organisational values.

2. Medair is committed to safeguarding the protection of beneficiaries, volunteers, staff and partners, and particularly children. Therefore, we do not employ staff whose background we understand to be unsuitable for working with children. Medair staff are required to give the utmost respect to, and comply with, Medair’s accountability policies and best practices.

3. Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC) (which forms part of the recruitment selection process for field positions).

Application Process

To apply, go to this vacancy on our Medair page. Please do not make multiple applications. We will not review email applications. Only English-language applications / CVs will be reviewed. Advertised on JobUpfree.

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