Program Manager, Rubble and Access Clearance - Venezuela Earthquake Response, Miranda, Venezuela

Job Purpose:

CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) is a crisis response organization that brings immediate aid and recovery to underserved communities across the globe. Our mission is simple: save lives and strengthen communities impacted by or vulnerable to crisis. Wherever the crisis is and whenever people are in need, we are there. CORE's ability to impact communities is directly emboldened by each member of our staff and leadership.

We are seeking a skilled and committed Program Manager to lead CORE's rubble and access clearance operations as part of the emergency response to the June 2026 earthquakes in Venezuela. Based in the impacted areas, this role oversees the safe clearance of rubble and structural debris—collapsed masonry, concrete, and damaged building materials—from homes, public spaces, and access routes, enabling affected households to return, recover belongings, and begin to rebuild, while reopening roads and pathways so aid and assessments can reach affected areas. The Program Manager directs field crews (including Cash-for-Work participants and/or contracted teams), enforces site safety protocols, and ensures rubble is sorted, hauled, and disposed of in line with local regulations and CORE standards. This role blends hands-on field management with operational coordination, and requires initiative, leadership, and operational agility under rapidly changing conditions. All work is conducted on sites cleared as structurally safe; this role does not include demolition or entry into unstable structures, which require qualified engineering assessment.

This is a full-time, fixed-term position for an initial two-month contract, with the possibility of extension based on response needs and funding.

The position may require rapid mobilization and deployment to Venezuela on short notice. Candidates must be prepared to relocate for the duration of the contract.

Main Responsibilities:

Project Leadership and Implementation

• Plan, lead, and manage daily rubble and access clearance operations across multiple sites (e.g., residential clearance, access-route clearance, public space clearance), establishing daily workplans, site lists, and progress tracking.
• Conduct site assessments to scope rubble volume, hazards, equipment and crew needs, and disposal requirements, ensuring engineering/structural safety clearance is confirmed before any team enters a damaged structure.
• Directly supervise and guide field crews—including Cash-for-Work participants and/or contracted teams—assigning tasks, coordinating equipment, and maintaining productivity and quality.
• Oversee the sorting, hauling, and disposal of rubble, identifying disposal/dump sites, coordinating with local authorities, and salvaging reusable materials where appropriate.
• Enforce strict site safety protocols, including PPE use, hazard identification (unstable rubble, sharp materials, dust/silica, and possible asbestos in older structures), and daily safety briefings.

Deployment and Operational Oversight

• Lead rubble and access clearance operations on the ground in the impacted areas as part of CORE's Emergency Response Team.
• Ensure quality control, safety, and accountability across all clearance sites and crews.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for homeowners, community partners, and local authorities related to rubble and access clearance activities.

Interdepartmental Coordination

• Act as a liaison between field operations and departments such as Communications, Partnerships, Finance (including Cash & Voucher Assistance for Cash-for-Work payments), and Procurement/Logistics.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation, reporting, and information flow.

Team Supervision and Training

• Supervise field crews, including Cash-for-Work participants, contracted teams, local hires, and volunteers, where applicable.
• Contribute to crew onboarding, site safety briefings, and just-in-time training on safe rubble-handling and PPE for incoming team members.
• Support the development of project-specific SOPs, assessment tools, and training materials.
• Develop Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials related to the role—such as community-facing flyers, safety guidance, and Cash-for-Work registration information—to support clear, accurate communication with affected households and crews.

Administrative and Reporting Duties

• Ensure accurate project tracking, documentation, and deliverable submission.
• Assist with data collection and reporting to donors, partners, and CORE HQ, including sitreps and end-of-deployment summaries.

Scope and Travel:

• Supervises: Local hires and/or volunteers assigned to specific projects
• Based in the impacted areas, Venezuela, for the duration of the contract; may require travel within Venezuela and the surrounding region (including Colombia) based on operational needs
• Must be able to mobilize on short notice and relocate to Venezuela for the two-month contract period.
• Must have a current passport valid for international travel

Qualifications:

• Relevant experience in emergency response, humanitarian aid, community development, or related fields.
• A bachelor's degree is welcomed but not required—equivalent experience, including lived or professional experience in disaster-affected communities or crisis settings, is strongly valued.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage projects, and work across diverse communities and partners during emergency or high-pressure situations.
• Commitment to CORE's mission and a strong understanding of the challenges faced by underserved or crisis-impacted populations.

Experience:

• Proven experience in emergency operations or volunteer management.
• Excellent communication and coordination abilities, with experience working across multiple departments and teams.
• Flexibility to deploy to various locations in response to disasters and humanitarian crises.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in emergency response, humanitarian aid, or related program implementation
• Prior experience managing field crews, rubble/debris/construction site operations, or Cash-for-Work programs in humanitarian or post-disaster contexts
• Experience in rubble and access clearance, debris management, construction, demolition, site clearance, Cash-for-Work, or related field operations is strongly preferred

Skills & Competencies:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools
• Strong leadership, decision-making, and interpersonal skills under pressure
• Ability to adapt to evolving needs in dynamic environments
• Strong working knowledge of construction/clearance site safety, PPE, and hazard management
• Experience operating and/or managing heavy machinery and equipment (e.g., excavators, skid steers, loaders, dump trucks) for rubble removal and site clearance is strongly preferred
• Valid Driver's License and clean driving history
• Spanish fluency required; English proficiency strongly preferred
• Available to commit to the full two-month contract period in Venezuela
• Preferred but not required certifications or field experience in:
• • Rubble and access clearance
  • Muck & gutting
  • Hazardous material awareness (e.g., asbestos)
  • Construction / demolition
  • Chainsaw Operations
  • Safety and Safeguarding
  • Cash-for-Work program management