Emergency Response Manager

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency's work culture is collaborative and mission-driven, emphasizing the improvement of lives for the poor globally. The organization has a significant number of employees and operates in numerous countries, reflecting its extensive reach and impact in humanitarian efforts.

Job Overview:
The Emergency Response Manager will oversee the development and implementation of emergency readiness and response management under the RAPID initiative. This role is crucial for ensuring that systems and processes are established to support rapid activation and high-quality implementation of emergency programs. The manager will work closely with Emergency Program Managers (PMs) across various contexts, ensuring that they deliver timely and effective programming while enhancing the organization's readiness and response capacity. The position requires a blend of management skills and technical knowledge to navigate complex and resource-constrained environments, ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need promptly and effectively. The manager will also be responsible for fostering a learning environment, identifying opportunities for research and publications, and contributing to the agency's knowledge management agenda.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Emergency Response Manager will provide comprehensive management, guidance, and technical oversight for all projects focused on emergency preparedness and response. Key responsibilities include: managing Emergency PMs across multiple responses, ensuring project design and implementation align with CRS quality principles and donor guidelines, and overseeing project close-out processes. The manager will facilitate team dynamics and staff well-being, provide coaching and performance management for direct reports, and lead program learning initiatives. Additionally, the manager will pursue funding opportunities to support the growth of emergency response efforts, serve as the technical lead for proposal writing, and oversee capacity strengthening activities for staff and partners. The role also involves ensuring timely project expenditures and efficient use of resources, as well as identifying and strengthening partnerships relevant to emergency response.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong MEAL skills and experience, along with staff management abilities conducive to a learning environment. Proficiency in MS Windows and MS Office applications is required, as well as experience in project grants management, particularly with public donors. The ability to write high-quality technical proposals and engage with partner organizations is essential. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, along with effective relationship management abilities, are also required. Candidates should demonstrate a proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented approach to their work.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in international development or a related field is required. A Master’s degree is preferred. Additional relevant experience may substitute for some educational requirements, particularly for candidates with extensive field-based project management experience in emergency preparedness and response.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in relevant field-based project management, specifically in emergency preparedness and response. Experience managing moderately complex projects is essential, along with a background in international NGOs or multi-country response operations being advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, while proficiency in French, Spanish, or Arabic is preferred. This multilingual capability will enhance communication and collaboration in diverse operational contexts.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last from July 1, 2026, to January 15, 2027, for a duration of 6 months or more. The role involves supervisory responsibilities and requires candidates to be willing to travel up to 30%. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., salary and benefits will be based on the country of employment. CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where it operates, and all positions requiring travel outside a home country must undergo pre-employment medical clearance.