Response Program Manager

Miyamoto International (“Miyamoto”) is in business to make the world safer. Miyamoto is a global engineering and disaster risk reduction firm that provides resiliency expertise that sustains industries and safeguards communities across the globe.

We are seeking a strategic, results-oriented national Response Manager based in Panama to lead and coordinate disaster response and recovery programming in Panama. This position works closely with Miyamoto, the Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil (SINAPROC), relevant government ministries, local partners, and international stakeholders. The role requires a proactive leader who can mobilize teams, manage complex programs, and bridge in-country operations with global, remotely based teams.

Note this consultancy position is based in Panama. No relocation is provided.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Management: Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, and adaptation of post-disaster and recovery programs, ensuring timely, effective, and accountable delivery.
• Government Coordination: Maintain strong working relationships with SINAPROC, relevant ministries, local authorities, and humanitarian partners.
• Team Leadership and Mobilization: Lead and mobilize multidisciplinary teams in response to evolving emergencies, providing clear direction and fostering collaboration.
• Communication and Coordination: Facilitate effective coordination among local stakeholders, international partners, and global remote teams, ensuring alignment on priorities, decisions, and operational needs.
• Bilingual Engagement: Communicate fluently in Spanish and English to support government engagement, team coordination, reporting, and cross-cultural collaboration.
• Operational Readiness: Identify emerging needs, resolve operational challenges, and adapt response strategies to changing disaster contexts.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in disaster management, emergency response, recovery programming, or a related technical engineering field.
• Demonstrated progressive successful experience managing post-disaster recovery and risk reduction programs in Panama.
• Established experience working with SINAPROC, relevant Panamanian government ministries, and other national response stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead and mobilize teams, coordinate across multiple organizations, and manage complex programs.
• Fluency in both Spanish and English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience collaborating effectively with geographically dispersed, global teams across time zones.
• Self-starter with strong initiative, sound judgment, adaptability, and the ability to operate effectively in fast-moving and high-pressure environments.