Disaster Response Coordinator

This role is a critical component of Airbnb's Global Crisis Management (GCM) team, focused on safeguarding the organisation and its stakeholders during unforeseen events. You will be instrumental in developing and executing strategies to minimise the impact of disasters and crises, ensuring that Airbnb's response is both timely and appropriate. This position requires a proactive and analytical mindset, with a strong ability to make sound decisions under pressure and coordinate effectively across various internal and external parties.

About the Role

As a Disaster Response Coordinator in South Africa, you will be at the forefront of managing and mitigating the effects of global incidents. This involves a constant vigil for potential threats that could affect Airbnb's hosts, guests, and operations. You'll be responsible for evaluating the severity of incidents and determining the most effective response strategies, always prioritising the well-being of all stakeholders. The role demands a deep understanding of risk assessment and a commitment to implementing preparedness and response plans that are both comprehensive and clear.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will encompass a wide range of critical functions:

• **Incident Evaluation and Strategy:** Review incoming global incident notifications, assessing their severity and potential business impact to formulate an appropriate response strategy.
• **Proactive Threat Monitoring:** Conduct continuous research to identify and monitor global threats and events that could potentially affect Airbnb stakeholders, enabling proactive measures.
• **Communication and Messaging:** Draft and coordinate the delivery of clear and concise preparedness and response messaging for both internal teams and external communities, ensuring everyone is informed and ready.
• **Decision Making:** Make crucial business decisions that carefully weigh the trade-offs and benefits of various options during crisis situations.
• **Cross-functional Coordination:** Effectively lead and coordinate disaster response efforts with various cross-functional teams, ensuring a unified and efficient approach.
• **Point of Contact:** Serve as a primary liaison for the GCM Disaster Response team, representing their responsibilities and actions.
• **Reporting and Updates:** Provide clear and timely situation reports and critical updates to stakeholders, keeping them informed of developments and actions taken.
• **Process Improvement:** Actively contribute to product and process improvement initiatives, collaborating with the operations manager to develop recommendations for enhancing response capabilities.
• **Ad Hoc Duties:** Undertake other requested or assigned duties as needed to support the GCM team's objectives.

What They're Looking For

To excel in this role, candidates will need a proven track record and a specific set of skills. A minimum of three years of experience in areas such as global disaster response, threat monitoring and assessment, or intelligence analysis is essential. You should possess demonstrable experience in monitoring, assessing, and responding to global threats, disasters, and crises.

Key attributes and skills include:

• **Communication Prowess:** Excellent written and verbal communication skills are paramount for conveying information effectively in high-pressure situations.
• **Detail-Oriented:** A strong attention to detail and the ability to meticulously follow established procedures are crucial for accurate incident management.
• **Dependability:** A high level of dependability is expected to meet schedule expectations and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• **Adaptability:** The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing circumstances.
• **Travel Availability:** Willingness to travel occasionally as required to support on-the-ground efforts.

This role offers an opportunity to contribute significantly to a global company's resilience and stakeholder safety. In South Africa, positions involving crisis management and disaster response, particularly within multinational organisations, can offer competitive remuneration packages, often commensurate with the level of responsibility and specialised skills required. Career progression might involve moving into senior crisis management roles, leading larger teams, or specialising in specific types of disaster response within the tech or hospitality sectors.

• 3+ years of experience in global disaster response, threat monitoring and assessment, intelligence analysis, or a related field
• Experience monitoring, assessing, and responding to global threats, disasters, and crises
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow procedures
• High level of dependability to meet schedule expectations and working in a fast-paced environment
• Availability to travel occasionally as required