Technical Advisor Sr, Shelter and Settlement 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 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 its policies reflect this commitment. The agency fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture aimed at improving the lives of the poor globally, welcoming individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to service.

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 stakeholders, including other CRS technical teams, governments, local organizations, and global networks, to deliver holistic, people-centered solutions across the S&S Program. The position requires a strong focus on integrating gender, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience into shelter and settlement programming, ensuring that interventions lead to durable solutions for displaced populations.

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 agency-wide standards and policies, promoting innovative approaches, and ensuring a cross-sectoral approach that integrates gender and disaster risk reduction. The S&S Team Lead will also contribute to business development efforts, guiding the team through technical oversight for emergency shelter and settlement planning, and representing CRS in global forums to influence policy and practice. Additionally, the position includes leading capacity strengthening initiatives, managing team dynamics, and providing performance coaching and mentoring to 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 contexts. Experience in developing training materials and tools for humanitarian programming, as well as program monitoring and evaluation, is essential. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to represent the organization at high-level meetings and possess a strong 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, or Urban Planning. 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, ideally with an international NGO, in advisory or management roles. Candidates should have progressive responsibilities, particularly in shelter and settlement interventions, and experience in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery programming is crucial. Demonstrated experience in knowledge transfer through training and mentoring is also necessary.

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

Additional Notes:
This position is remote with an expected 50% field travel requirement. The role includes supervisory responsibilities and 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 will be based on the country of employment. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and expects the successful candidate to adhere to its Code of Conduct. The agency prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.