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Humanitarian Response Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mercy Corps

Subaward Specialist

Addis, LA · On-site

... humanitarian response. General Position Summary The Subaward Specialist is a member of the Finance team for Mercy Corps' Ethiopia. Is responsible for managing the financial and operational aspects of ...

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How much do humanitarian response jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for humanitarian response in the United States is $20.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $22.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Humanitarian Response vs Emergency Relief Coordinator?

AspectHumanitarian ResponseEmergency Relief Coordinator
CredentialsRelevant degrees in humanitarian aid, international development, or social sciences; often requires field experienceTypically requires experience in coordination, leadership, and emergency management; may have certifications in disaster response
Work EnvironmentFieldwork in crisis zones, NGOs, international agenciesHigh-level coordination in emergency settings, often in headquarters or UN offices
Employer & IndustryNGOs, UN agencies, humanitarian organizationsUnited Nations, international agencies, government bodies
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in humanitarian aid and field responseFocus on leadership and coordination in emergencies

Humanitarian Response involves direct field activities providing aid during crises, while Emergency Relief Coordinators oversee and coordinate these efforts at a strategic level. Both roles are vital in disaster situations but differ in scope, responsibilities, and work environment.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in humanitarian response roles?

Professionals in humanitarian response often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing environments, limited resources, and high-pressure decision-making. They may need to adapt quickly to new information, coordinate with multiple organizations, and work in areas with security or logistical constraints. Effective communication, flexibility, and resilience are essential to navigate these complexities while ensuring aid reaches those in need promptly.

What is humanitarian response?

Humanitarian response refers to the actions taken by organizations and individuals to provide immediate assistance and relief to people affected by crises such as natural disasters, armed conflicts, or epidemics. The goal is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity by delivering essential services like food, water, shelter, and medical care. Humanitarian response efforts often involve coordination between governments, non-governmental organizations, and international agencies to ensure aid is provided quickly and effectively where it's needed most.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Humanitarian Response, and why are they important?

To thrive in Humanitarian Response, you need expertise in emergency management, needs assessment, and project coordination, often supported by a relevant degree and field experience. Familiarity with tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), humanitarian standards (Sphere), and certifications such as the UN Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination course are highly valued. Strong soft skills include cultural sensitivity, stress management, and effective communication for working with diverse teams and affected populations. These abilities are crucial for delivering timely, effective aid and ensuring the well-being of vulnerable communities in crisis situations.
More about Humanitarian Response jobs
What states have the most Humanitarian Response jobs? States with the most job openings for Humanitarian Response jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Humanitarian Response jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Humanitarian Response jobs are:
Humanitarian Response jobs near you
Infographic showing various Humanitarian Response job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, 47% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,907 per year, or $20.6 per hour.
Subaward Specialist

Subaward Specialist

Mercy Corps

Addis, LA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states - Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Nations, Nationalities and People's Region (SNNPR) - Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal government structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.
General Position Summary
The Subaward Specialist is a member of the Finance team for Mercy Corps' Ethiopia. Is responsible for managing the financial and operational aspects of subawards, compliance with the donor regulations and working collaboratively with other program team members to ensure compliance with Mercy Corps internal policies and procedures and maintaining up-to- date and reliable subaward trackers and records. S/he will provide focused subaward management support to CS-Hub and besides responsibility for subaward management of all other awards. S/he will also lead efforts to build the capacity of local subrecipients to meet finance and compliance requirements donors, so that these local organizations develop professional personnel and systems. S/he works under the direction supervisor of the Grants and Compliance Manager and works closely with staff dedicated to the program, operations and finance, and consult regularly with Mercy Corps HO.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Sub Awards Management:
  • Participate in the development of the overall programmatic strategy and the strategy for the subawards program.
  • Work closely with consortium-level subrecipient organizations to ensure they are issuing, managing and monitoring subawards
  • Participate in the design of Request for Applications (RFA) or Application for Solicitation (APS), publication of RFAs/APS, issuing of RFA/APS packages to prospective applicants, manage the administrative process of receiving RFA/APS applicants and providing the applicants to the RFA/APS Review Committee.
  • Administer competitive RFA/APS processes in accordance with donor requirements and as per Mercy Corps subawards manual, with, for each RFA/APS, clearly defined and communicated steps for selecting, negotiating and awarding subawards.
  • Responsible for the review of RFA/APS applicants' budgets and budget narratives for completeness, cost realism and compliance with RFA/APS budget requirements.
  • Responsible for pre-award financial review and other due diligence of apparently successful applicants.
  • Coordinate selection of subaward agreement type, draft subaward and negotiate subaward agreements with selected subrecipients.
  • Draft modifications to subawards, as needed.
  • Develop and conduct subrecipient financial and compliance training workshops traveling at Field level
  • Review subrecipient financial reports for correctness and completeness and ensure that reports are submitted on time.
  • Develop subrecipient monitoring plans, conduct financial monitoring of subrecipients and prepare financial monitoring visit reports.
  • Follow up on all subaward compliance issues and audits and document resolutions.
  • Create and update/maintain subaward cards and enter subaward expenditure reports in Navigator.
  • Maintain subaward files in accordance with the Field Finance Manual.
  • Process subrecipient payments and reconcile subaward financial tracking to general ledger reports.
  • Responsible for subaward financial close-outs, including ensuring that all requirements of the subaward agreement have been met and that subaward funds have been properly settled.
  • Provide compliance guidance and consultations to subrecipients on a demand-driven basis.
  • Assist the program team with assessing subrecipient organizational needs, so that the subaward process strengthens the ability of local NGOs/CSOs to meet world class standards.

Compliance:
  • Ensure that subawards agreements are executed in alignment with the prime award agreement and the applicable donor regulations, staying abreast of changes in regulatory environment related to donor/grant compliance.
  • Identify and communicate compliance risks associated with program implementation. Work with program teams ensure that program activities are designed to be compliant, while facilitating the achievement of the program objectives.
  • Review awards/subawards procurement and program transactions, contracts and other documents for compliance requirements and ensure these requirements are met.
  • Prepare prior approval, waiver and other compliance requests to the donor. Assist subrecipients, as needed with subrecipient compliance requests to Mercy Corps.
  • Prepare and maintain internal and donor compliance-related reports and subaward trackers.

Influence & Representation
  • Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
  • Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Organizational Learning
  • As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries
  • Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
    to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility
None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Grants and Compliance Manager
Works Directly With: Finance Department, (with authority for technical financial matters); Operations Department, Program Managers, MC HO team, and others
Knowledge and Experience
  • A BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance, management, economics required; advanced degree preferred.
  • At least 3 years of relevant field or management experience of complex, multi-dimensional programming including administering small subawards in an international environment..
  • At least 3 years' experience in grants management as well as an understanding of USAID SIDA, GAC, FCDO, and EU regulations required.
  • Demonstrated experience and skill with administrating solicitations for subawards, assessing potential subrecipients and the proven ability to oversee a team that is responsible for monitoring subrecipients.
  • Prior management experience and strong organizational skills.
  • Advanced computer skills in MS Office, (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
  • Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.
  • Excellent oral and written English skills required.
  • Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

Success Factors
The successful candidate will have an ability to interact effectively across all program and finance teams successfully. S/he will be able to support programmatic objectives with timely and meaningful financial information, have a demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. An impeccable professional standard of finance and procurement ethics and the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. The Subaward Specialist must be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

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