James Orlando
Washington,DC
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven leader with extensive experience in international emergency response, program development, and organizational development. Proven track record in managing large-scale portfolios, organizational change management, coordinating cross-functional teams, and cultivating donor relationships to drive impactful change. Adept at leading strategic initiatives, enhancing organizational capacity, and representing top-tier NGOs on global platforms. Expertise in grant acquisition, consortia leadership, and public speaking, with a intentional commitment to team building and staff development.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director of Emergency & Humanitarian Programs
HIAS
Washington, DC, USA
01.2023 - Current
- Lead HIAS in its ambition to become a top-tier international emergency response nonprofit by 2030.
- Oversee all HIAS emergency operations, coordinating cross-functional department in crisis situations.
- Represent HIAS in all external emergency-related affairs, advocating for global impact
- Direct the change management of emergency staffing, structuring, policy and strategic planning to achieve key objectives
- Manage a department of rapidly-deployable humanitarian experts
- Develop and implement readiness strategies across finance, procedures, programs, and personnel.
- Build inter-NGO global alliances for greater impact and strong consortia
- Oversee a global roster of deployable staff, ensuring rapid and effective responses.
Global Program Director
World Vision
Global (based in Washington, DC)
08.2016 - 12.2022
- Global lead for World Vision in Humanitarian Response Programming, overseeing response strategy, donor engagement, grant acquisition and management, M&E, and impact data management
- Rapidly deployed to start up and lead programming for WV's large scale emergency responses, including Syria, Ukraine, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Mali
- Developed and managed a $125M humanitarian portfolio for WV’s response in Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova (2022).
- Established and led a $35M humanitarian portfolio for WV’s Cyclone Idai and Kenneth response in Mozambique (2019).
- Served as Proposal/Consortium Lead and Acting Chief of Party for WV’s $88M OFDA-funded FAST Consortium in NW Syria (2018).
- Strengthened WV's humanitarian grant writers in 71 WV offices through global courses on "Programming in Emergencies"
- Drove strategic initiatives to adapt and improve WV’s humanitarian operations.
Program Manager
World Vision
Global (based in Washington)
08.2016 - 08.2018
- Rapidly deployed to responses in Niger, Chad, Syria, Mali to lead program development and management
- Led global program planning to ensure organizational alignment with context, humanitarian needs, and response strategy
- Engaged and advocated with donors to secure resources for the operations plan
- Collaborated with Finance to allocate and track funding, ensuring strategic priorities are met
- Developed and submitted project proposals to secure donor funding for operations
- Assisted Finance in establishing a grant management system to meet donor requirements
Program Development & Quality Assurance Lead
World Vision
Jordan
10.2015 - 08.2016
- Provided leadership and management to World Vision’s programs, M&E, and accountability teams
- Supervised team of 12 staff engaged in both program development and quality tracking, as well as monitoring and evaluation
- Ensured strategic growth of WV’s high-quality humanitarian and development program portfolio concurrently
- Established and built relationships to strengthen WV’s presence as a multi-sector stakeholder among institutional donors
- Served on Senior Management Team to enhance office systems, workforce planning, and strategy development.
Senior Program Officer
World Vision
Amman, Jordan
01.2015 - 10.2015
- Led and managed the program design and development team in timely proposal submissions
- Led on the design and development of both humanitarian and development proposals
- Ensured quality assurance and accountability throughout project life cycle (implementation, budget, and M&E)
- Collaborated on the design of WV’s strategy to transition to a national office
- Author of numerous successful proposals, including WV’s first development project ($9.1 multi-sector DFATD proposal).
Vulnerable Populations Specialist
USAID
Amman, Jordan
07.2013 - 07.2014
- Served as Mission lead on vulnerable populations in Jordan with an emphasis on Syrian refugees, youth, and children
- Shaped Mission’s programs to support vulnerable populations within the Mission’s strategy and in coordination with other USG actors – e.g
- PRM, OFDA, etc
- Engaged with Mission’s technical teams to identify opportunities to leverage current projects to support vulnerable populations
- Networked across Embassy Country Team, within the donor and partner communities, and with relevant Government of Jordan offices to identify opportunities for collaboration to support vulnerable populations
- Identified and sought sources of funding for implementation of activities to support vulnerable populations in Jordan to include: USG funding (USAID and other agencies), private sector funding via GDAs/PPPs or other donor funds, etc.
Field Liaison
Center on Children in Adversity (CECA)
USAID
11.2011 - 07.2013
- Liaised with USG Washington offices, USAID Missions, and NGOs on implementation of the USG Action Plan on Children
- Designed and led strategy to identify and select priority countries for Children in Adversity initiative
- Disseminated research and best practices to field offices concerning the USG Action Plan on Children in Adversity
- Surveyed and drafted reports on in-country donor and implementers’ efforts related to children (USG, bilaterals, NGOs)
- Collaborated with USAID missions on opportunities to integrate Children in Adversity interventions into Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) and sector programming.
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Technical Advisor (interim)
CECA
USAID
05.2011 - 11.2011
- Oversaw vulnerable children and youth M&E processes and databases (programs, vulnerability indicators, etc.)
- Managed two USG contracts in the provision of M&E technical support
- Co-authored article on “Identifying and Enumerating Children outside of Family Care” (Journal of Child Abuse and Neglect).
Program Director
Oakland Community Builders Program
Oakland, CA
06.2010 - 06.2011
- Managed operations and coordination of an AmeriCorps capacity building program
- Instructed a UC Berkeley service-learning course in the theories of community organizing and social justice
- Supervised 32 students serving at local grassroots organizations.
Global Health Fellows Programs
USAID
Washington, DC/Berkeley, CA
06.2010 - 05.2011
- Provided technical support to the USG Special Advisor for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
- Designed an interagency database to support USG OVC programs (childreninadversity.gov)
- Support the development of sub-national program coordination at the USAID Ethiopia mission.
Program Manager
First Five Early Child Development
Concord, CA
10.2009 - 06.2010
- Supervised five community advisors and train and develop new program staff
- Represented organization at meetings and coordinated with local agencies to promote greater coordination of resources
- Implemented monitoring and evaluation systems at community resource centers to improve program quality.
Development Associate
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
06.2009 - 09.2009
- Coordinated on-going donation program between American donors and Guatemalan MS society
- Raised funds among US businesses for the procurement of medicinal supplies in Guatemala.
Program Manager
Sindhupalchok School
Sindhupalchok, Nepal
02.2008 - 06.2008
- Managed English language and skill development program for various populations of youth
- Developed paperless curriculum and supervised teachers in English language courses.
Program Associate
Kathleen Keegal Children’s Fund
Kandy/Batticaloa, Sri Lanka
09.2007 - 01.2008
- Lead education and economic livelihood projects for youth displaced due to the LTTE conflict
- Plan, review, and track efficiency of project and the utilization of resources
- Conduct youth needs assessments and market analysis for both programs.
Program Coordinator
Christina Noble Children’s Foundation
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
01.2007 - 06.2007
- Implemented English and sports recreation program for youth in conflict with the law, ages 13-19
- Secured funds from American businesses and foundations for facility improvements and educational materials.
Education
Masters in Social Welfare with Emphasis in Management and Planning -
University of California, Berkeley
04.2011
Bachelor Degree in Social Welfare with Emphasis in Political Science -
University of California, Berkeley
05.2003
Skills
- Spearheaded startup operations for major emergency responses in Ukraine, Israel, and Mozambique
- Led proposal efforts and served as Chief of Party for a successful $88 million BHA consortium in northern Syria
- Designed and implemented a response impact dashboard for World Vision's COVID-19 global efforts across 71 countries
- Created and taught an innovative curriculum on “Humanitarian Programming”
- Drove organizational change at HIAS to establish it as a leading emergency response organization
- Secured inclusion of Gaza response programming and funding within HIAS, aligning with its global Jewish mission
- Developed global deployment rosters for two leading international humanitarian organizations
- Awarded "Change Maker" prize with World Vision's Disaster Management Division
References
References gladly provided upon request
Languages
Spanish
Limited
Affiliations
- Outdoor Decathlon Organizer
- Serial Postcard Writer
- Pianist
- Amateur Gardener
Accomplishments
- "Change Maker" Award - World Vision Disaster Management Division
- Twice named First in Class for Humanitarian HEAT Training (Hostile Environment Awareness Training)
- Co-author “Systems and strategies for identifying and enumerating children outside of family care.” Journal of Child Abuse & Neglect 36 (2012): 701–710.
Timeline
Senior Director of Emergency & Humanitarian Programs
HIAS
01.2023 - Current
Global Program Director
World Vision
08.2016 - 12.2022
Program Manager
World Vision
08.2016 - 08.2018
Program Development & Quality Assurance Lead
World Vision
10.2015 - 08.2016
Senior Program Officer
World Vision
01.2015 - 10.2015
Vulnerable Populations Specialist
USAID
07.2013 - 07.2014
Field Liaison
Center on Children in Adversity (CECA)
11.2011 - 07.2013
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Technical Advisor (interim)
CECA
05.2011 - 11.2011
Program Director
Oakland Community Builders Program
06.2010 - 06.2011
Global Health Fellows Programs
USAID
06.2010 - 05.2011
Program Manager
First Five Early Child Development
10.2009 - 06.2010
Development Associate
Multiple Sclerosis Society
06.2009 - 09.2009
Program Manager
Sindhupalchok School
02.2008 - 06.2008
Program Associate
Kathleen Keegal Children’s Fund
09.2007 - 01.2008
Program Coordinator
Christina Noble Children’s Foundation
01.2007 - 06.2007
Masters in Social Welfare with Emphasis in Management and Planning -
University of California, Berkeley
Bachelor Degree in Social Welfare with Emphasis in Political Science -
University of California, Berkeley
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