Urban Development and Resilience Advisor

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 relief and development services 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 candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency's processes and policies reflect its dedication to protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly those who are most vulnerable. CRS has a strong presence in the Philippines, where it engages in various projects aimed at enhancing community resilience and development.

Job Overview:
The Urban Development and Resilience Advisor will play a crucial role in providing technical advice and support to government partners and Country Program (CP) teams in the Philippines. This position is focused on advancing the delivery of high-quality programming in Urban Development, particularly in the context of climate resilience. The advisor will be responsible for leading the implementation of a resilient shelter pilot project, which aims to promote smarter land use and urban planning through the use of digital tools. The role involves collaborating closely with local governments and stakeholders to ensure that modern, risk-informed planning approaches are adopted. The advisor will also contribute to the development of agency-wide strategies and best practices in Urban Development and Resilience, ensuring that gender, protection, and disaster risk reduction are integrated into all initiatives. The position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to provide technical solutions to various stakeholders, both remotely and on-site.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical advice and support to government partners and CP teams on Urban Development and Resilience programming.
• Lead the implementation of the resilient shelter pilot project in the Philippines.
• Develop and contribute to agency-wide strategies, standards, and tools for Urban Development and Resilience.
• Ensure a cross-sectoral approach that integrates gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
• Offer technical solutions for strategic planning and best practices in implementation.
• Contribute to the development of technical designs for project proposals and act as a technical writer as needed.
• Support capacity strengthening initiatives for staff and partners through training and workshops.
• Collect and analyze program data, capturing lessons learned to improve decision-making.
• Maintain relationships with donors, peer organizations, and other stakeholders in Urban Development and Resilience. 1
• Lead the development of climate-resilient proposals as defined in the project.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in urban development, environmental management, nature-based solutions, or related fields focused on climate resilience.
• A registered environmental planner is a plus.
• Minimum of three years of relevant work experience, ideally with an international NGO, with a focus on Climate Resilience and urban development.
• Knowledge of technical principles in Urban Development and Resilience, as well as related disciplines such as climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Experience in project design and proposal development, including writing content for proposals.
• Familiarity with capacity strengthening best practices and program monitoring and evaluation.
• Strong networking skills and experience in building relationships with donors and partners.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in urban development, environmental management, nature-based solutions, or similar fields related to climate resilience. A registered environmental planner designation is considered an advantage.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally within an international NGO context. Candidates should have at least three years of field-based experience specifically in Climate Resilience and urban development, demonstrating a solid understanding of the technical principles and concepts in these areas.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, both in speaking and writing. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not specified as requirements.

Additional Notes:
The position may require travel up to 30%. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and community members from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct. This job description is not exhaustive and may evolve as the needs of the organization change. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.