Assistant I – Social Policy

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 worldwide. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS engages in various programs including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency's work culture is collaborative and mission-driven, reflecting its commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. CRS welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The organization has a strong focus on personal accountability, integrity, trust-building, collaboration, and continuous learning among its staff. Additionally, CRS is dedicated to safeguarding program participants and ensuring that all staff adhere to its Code of Conduct, reflecting its commitment to the rights and dignity of all individuals.

Job Overview:
The Assistant I – Social Policy position is designed for individuals who will work under the supervision of the Director of Policy. This role involves conducting ongoing research and performing department-related tasks to support the operational effectiveness of high-quality programming. The Assistant will be responsible for providing consistent and high-quality service, contributing to the stewardship of resources, and ensuring that the department meets its objectives. The position requires a strong interest in social protection, humanitarian policy, or development policy, and the ability to manage multiple tasks while meeting deadlines. The Assistant will engage in literature reviews, summarize key concepts from major institutions, analyze policy directions, and assist in mapping institutional actors and stakeholders. The role also includes compiling survey results, conducting interviews, and documenting best practices and lessons learned, culminating in the drafting of a synthesis report.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary duties and responsibilities of the Assistant I – Social Policy include conducting literature reviews on social protection, summarizing definitions and concepts from major institutions such as donors, UN agencies, and INGOs, and supporting the analysis of policy directions in both humanitarian and development contexts. The Assistant will assist in mapping institutional actors and emerging stakeholders, compile CRS survey results to highlight engagement and programming trends, and support limited key informant interviews with external experts and CRS staff. Additionally, the Assistant will document best practices, challenges, and lessons learned, and contribute to drafting a synthesis report of 15-20 pages. Ad hoc responsibilities include conducting background research, preparing briefing notes, drafting internal memos or summaries, and supporting ongoing policy analysis and internal discussions.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a High School Diploma and a minimum of 1-3 years of relevant administrative support experience. Candidates should possess experience with typing, word processing, data entry into online databases, and familiarity with various office equipment. Proficiency in the MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and information management systems is essential. Strong research, analytical, and writing skills are necessary, along with a demonstrated interest in social protection, humanitarian policy, or development policy. The ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines is crucial for success in this role.

Educational Background:
Preferred educational qualifications include a Professional Diploma or Certificate in public policy, international development, international relations, economics, social policy, or a related field. Familiarity with international development or humanitarian institutions, such as the World Bank, UN agencies, bilateral donors, and INGOs, is also preferred. Prior internship, research assistantship, or professional experience in a related field will be advantageous for candidates applying for this position.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 1-3 years of relevant administrative support experience. This experience should ideally be in a related field, providing a foundation for the responsibilities of the Assistant I – Social Policy role. Experience in research, policy analysis, or working with international development organizations will be beneficial.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is English. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the regions in which CRS operates or to the populations served by the organization.

Additional Notes:
This position does not involve supervisory responsibilities and requires no travel. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment may be informed by a term limit based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and ensuring that all staff adhere to its Code of Conduct. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS has offices.