International Emergency Response Specialist

Job title: International Emergency Response SpecialistStatus: Full-timeLocation: Alexandria, VADepartment: International ProgramsPosition SummaryWe are seeking a highly experienced and agile International Emergency Response Lead to drive the design, coordination, and execution of large-scale humanitarian responses across multiple regions. This role combines operational leadership with strategic partnership management, ensuring timely, effective, and principled emergency interventions.The ideal candidate brings deep field experience, strong institutional relationship management skills, and the ability to operate in high-pressure, rapidly evolving environments. This position requires frequent short-notice international travel, including deployments to emergency settings.Essential Duties And ResponsibilitiesEmergency Response LeadershipLead the planning, coordination, and execution of complex, large-scale international emergency responsesOversee rapid needs assessments, response strategy development, and program implementationEnsure responses are timely, contextually appropriate, and aligned with humanitarian standards and best practicesConduct needs assessment once deployed and coordinate within the emergency framework.Provide support to preparedness initiatives with field operations and community based organizationsField Deployment & Surge CapacityDeploy on short notice to emergency contexts to lead or support response operationsProvide on-the-ground leadership, coordination, and troubleshooting during critical phasesSupport country teams and local partner organizations in scaling operations, staffing, and systems in emergency settingsStrategic Partnerships & External EngagementManage and strengthen relationships with key institutional donors, UN agencies, local governments agencies and partner organizationsServe as a focal point for the organization’s engagement with the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD), ensuring effective coordination on emergency logistics, supply chain readiness, and rapid deploymentRepresent the organization in high-level coordination forums and external engagementsSupport business development efforts, including proposal development and donor engagementProgram Quality & ComplianceEnsure emergency programs meet donor requirements, organizational policies, and compliance standardsPromote accountability, monitoring, evaluation, and learning across emergency responsesIntegrate cross-cutting priorities such as protection, gender, and localization into response strategiesContribute to systems, tools, and frameworks developmentQualifications And CompetenciesU.S. citizenship (required)Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in international development, humanitarian affairs, public policy, or related field preferred5-7+ years of experience in international humanitarian response, including significant field experienceDemonstrated experience managing large-scale, complex emergency programsStrong track record of working with institutional donors (e.g., USAID/BHA, State Department, UN agencies, ECHO etc.)Experience in insecure or resource-constrained environmentsProven ability to lead under pressure and make decisions in rapidly changing contextsExcellent communication, representation, and stakeholder management skillsAbility and willingness to travel internationally on short notice (up to 30-50% or as needed)Ability to deploy to high-risk or challenging environmentsStrong problem-solving skills and adaptabilityFluency in English required; additional languages (Arabic, French, Spanish) are a strong assetExperience in multiple geographic regionsFamiliarity with humanitarian coordination systems (e.g., clusters)Strong strategic thinking with hands-on operational capabilityAbility to balance big-picture leadership with detail-oriented execution At Islamic Relief USA we are committed to safeguarding and protecting all individuals we come into contact with through our work. IRUSA representatives must adhere to its organizational values: Sincerity, Excellence, Compassion, Social Justice, and Custodianship. In accordance with these values, IRUSA operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Code of Ethics, and Anti-Harassment and Discrimination.