Director of Humanitarian Action

HOPE BORDER INSTITUTE - POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Director of Humanitarian Action

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: El Paso, TX & Ciudad Juárez, México

Type: Full-time; Exempt

I. Purpose, Organizational Setting & Work Relationships

The Hope Border Institute requires a skilled Director of Humanitarian Action to provide strategic leadership for and execute a range of activities related to leading the narrative on justice and forced displacement at the border from the perspective of Catholic social teaching.

This body of work encompasses strategically leading and planning, in close coordination with our Leadership Team, and independently executing our humanitarian services and holistic accompaniment programs for vulnerable people on the move, primarily in Ciudad Juárez, to ensure that they promote and defend human dignity, meet strategic objectives, and respond wisely to changing circumstances.

The position represents a collaboration with the Diocese of El Paso demands a thorough understanding of and commitment to the unique mission and goals of the Hope Border Institute.

All HOPE staff members are accountable for performing their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with HOPE’s strategic plan and priorities, administrative instructions, as well as relevant accountability frameworks established by the Executive Director. Staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities with professionalism, integrity, and respect for the nature of HOPE’s mission and identity as a Catholic organization.

II. CONTINUING RESPONSIBILITIES (from highest to lowest priority)

Director of Humanitarian Action responsibilities:

• Uphold and contribute to the mission of HOPE, working collaboratively, following established policies and procedures, identifying and sharing ideas for improvement, and supporting HOPE efforts verbally, in actions, and attitude.

and

Strategic Leadership (1/3)

• Encourage and maintain a supportive and successful collaboration between all staff, partners, and external collaborators in creatively and faithfully advancing HOPE’s mission, vision, and strategic plan
• Nourish and maintain as well as develop strategic relationships with faith partners in the borderlands working to support the needs of vulnerable persons on the move
• Work closely with the Leadership Team to decide on tactics or approaches for the organization to best respond to changing circumstances and emerging humanitarian and policy-related challenges
• Learn and implement best practices from other organizations engaged in similar work, including through visits to migrant shelters and organizations providing humanitarian assistance throughout Mexico

Grants, Program Operations and Migrant Accompaniment (1/3)

• Manage, implement, and evaluate the strategic priorities for the Border Refugee Assistance Fund, especially grants in support of migrant-supporting initiatives in Ciudad Juárez
• Oversee operations related to Clinica Hope, including expansion efforts
• Work strategically with hospitality partners on both sides of the border to support programming and advocacy that supports the dignity of vulnerable persons on the move
• Listen attentively to migrants' experiences and situations, and let this guide approaches, evaluations, and best practices
• Ensure quality and effective administration of migrant accompaniment programs and humanitarian aid operations in a holistic way
• Evaluate and oversee progress in humanitarian services and holistic accompaniment through quantitative and qualitative data, including listening carefully to migrants’ experiences and incorporating their suggestions
• Take leadership in reporting out the findings and testimonies of impact to support policy, communications, and fundraising efforts

Administration (1/3)

• Ensure robust recordkeeping and adherence to effective administrative processes, especially in the area of grants administration
• Contribute to organization-wide administrative initiatives, including budgeting process and reporting requirements
• Stay up to date on emails, data collection, meetings, and reports.

and

• other duties as assigned.

III. QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Previous Experience: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required, as well as five years of experience in accompanying vulnerable persons on the move

The Director of Humanitarian Action will have:

• deep personal commitment to promoting the rights and dignity of vulnerable persons on the move
• ability to relate effectively and have excellent interpersonal communication with individuals from a wide range of nationalities, races, life experiences, and class backgrounds, especially in a way that promotes justice, equity, and a sense of community
• energy to deal with a quickly changing on-the-ground reality
• flexibility and ability to respond to the challenge of the moment
• experience working with vulnerable populations, including understanding trauma-informed care and secondary trauma preferred.
• a great sense of humor and a can-do attitude
• passion and commitment to working for justice in a faith-based context and for HOPE’s work
• ability to work confidently in both English and Spanish-speaking environments
• knowledge of the Catholic Church and Catholic social teaching
• exceptional judgment and sound political instincts
• ability to work strategically, independently, collaboratively, innovatively, creatively and in culturally diverse environments
• ability to meet tight deadlines, balance multiple projects at once, and proactively identify opportunities to advance HOPE’s strategic priorities
• strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• highly self-motivated work style
• strong ethics and personal integrity
• professional attitude and service orientation
• public policy and/or advocacy experience

The Director of Humanitarian Action will also ideally have:

• experience in the health sector

Language Requirement:

English and Spanish required

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Within HOPE:

Daily contact with HOPE staff and the Executive Director. Frequent contact with Clínica HOPE Advisory Council and leaders.

Outside HOPE:

Regular contact with colleagues in peer organizations and with those directly impacted by immigration policy.

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

Interns and volunteers.

SCOPE OF SUPERVISION

Develops strategic positions, policies, and initiatives under direct supervision and in collaboration with the Executive Director. Represents HOPE under the general supervision of the Executive Director. Occasionally, the supervision is more general or limited. Position requires the ability to analyze situations and propose solutions and responses that best promote the goals and objectives of HOPE. Must exhibit professional initiative and make sound judgments independently and in concert with others. Some public activities require the direct review and approval of the Executive Director.

OTHER INFORMATION

Frequent travel in the El Paso and Ciudad Juárez region. Occasional national and international travel is required. Candidate must have the ability to travel across the US-Mexico border and internationally.

WORKING CONDITIONS /PHYSICAL EFFORT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; handle or feel objects or controls; reach; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work is performed both in an office setting and in the field. Evening and weekend work are required, as well as overnight travel. Regular computer work is also required.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described above are representative of the physical capabilities that must be met by an employee and the working conditions that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position, and it is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.