Technical Advisor Sr, Shelter and Settlement (S&S) Team Lead

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 programs that address emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to serving the poor and vulnerable without regard to race, religion, or nationality, and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, reflecting its commitment to the dignity and rights of all people. The agency's work culture is collaborative and mission-driven, focused on improving lives globally. CRS has a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff and adapts its benefits for employees in other countries based on local standards and practices.

Job Overview:
The Technical Advisor Sr, Shelter and Settlement (S&S) Team Lead is responsible for providing strategic leadership and technical guidance for CRS’ Global Shelter & Settlements portfolio. This role is crucial in ensuring high-quality, scalable programming that aligns with CRS’ humanitarian and development objectives. The S&S Team Lead will work closely with various technical teams and external partners, including governments and local organizations, to deliver holistic, people-centered solutions across the S&S Program. The position requires a strong focus on emergency shelter, transitional housing, and pathways to adequate housing, linking interventions to durable solutions for displaced populations and resilience to climate change. The S&S Team Lead will also be involved in developing agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in S&S programming, ensuring integration of gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction into all initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Technical Advisor Sr, S&S Team Lead include leading the design and implementation of agency-wide strategies and standards in S&S programming, ensuring effective engagement with partners, donors, and governments. The role involves developing and advancing agency-wide standards, policies, and innovative approaches, as well as ensuring a cross-sectoral approach that integrates various disciplines. The S&S Team Lead will also lead the Homes and Communities initiative, focusing on high standards of quality and strategic scaling in S&S programming. Additionally, the position requires contributing to business development efforts, including designing large-scale proposals and ensuring technical excellence in programming solutions. The S&S Team Lead will represent CRS in global forums, build strategic partnerships, and lead capacity strengthening initiatives for staff and partners. Effective team coordination and supervision are also essential, including performance coaching and mentoring of team members.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in architecture, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, or a related field. A minimum of ten years of relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role is required, with at least five years focused on shelter and settlement interventions in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery programming. Experience in developing curriculum and tools to support humanitarian shelter and settlement programming is essential, along with demonstrated skills in knowledge transfer through training and mentoring. Candidates should have experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including the development of indicators and data analysis. Strong representation skills at high-level meetings with donors and partners are necessary, as well as an understanding of partnership principles.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as architecture, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, or a related discipline. A PhD or equivalent degree is strongly preferred, along with technical and/or academic publications that demonstrate expertise in the field.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of relevant international experience, with progressive responsibilities in advisory or management roles. Candidates should have at least five years of experience specifically in shelter and settlement interventions, particularly in emergency contexts. Experience in business development activities and capturing donor funding in humanitarian programming is also highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while proficiency in any language from the regional areas of focus, such as French or Spanish, is considered a valuable asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote with an expected 50% field travel requirement. The role includes supervisory responsibilities, and candidates should be prepared for a collaborative work environment. 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., benefits are based on the local country of employment. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS’ Code of Conduct and participate in safeguarding initiatives to protect program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse. The agency prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.