Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor II Finance & Grant Management

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) was founded as an emergency relief organization and continues to focus on emergency-related work, which constitutes nearly one-third of the agency’s expenses. CRS is recognized as one of the prime American emergency responders by both public and private donors in the US. The organization’s ability to respond effectively in the early stages of an emergency is crucial for the survival and well-being of disaster-affected individuals. CRS employs a holistic approach to emergency response and recovery, which allows them to assist affected households and communities in resuming productive lives while building their capacity to withstand future disasters. The Humanitarian Response Department (HRD) provides leadership and support for CRS emergency programming, enhancing the agency's impact through high-quality, innovative programs and improved technical and management capacity at the field level. The HRD engages in global efforts to promote excellence and learning in humanitarian response, with technical staff supporting emergency program planning, rapid response operations, and capacity strengthening for staff and partners worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor II will provide technical advice, guidance, and support on design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation issues, focusing on larger projects within the Humanitarian Response framework. This role aligns with Catholic Relief Services' program quality principles, donor guidelines, and industry best practices, aimed at delivering high-quality programming to vulnerable populations. The advisor will enhance CRS' rapid deployment capabilities for humanitarian responses, overseeing finance management, grant management, administration, field base setup, and human resources. The position requires travel at least 50% of the time, often at short notice, to provide direct management of relief operations, set up relief delivery systems, and mentor CRS partners and Country Program staff. The advisor's contributions will be vital in determining the effectiveness and innovation of CRS' humanitarian programming globally.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor II will specialize in finance management, grant management, administration, field-based setup, and human resources during emergencies. Responsibilities include providing timely and accurate grant and finance management support, offering technical solutions to Country Program teams and partners, conducting financial assessments, monitoring partner progress, and analyzing program data to facilitate decision-making. The advisor will contribute to proposal development, advise on integrating donor strategies, support budget managers in developing budgets, and assist partners in finance policy development. Additional responsibilities encompass conducting market analysis, promoting innovative cash management solutions, and supporting logistics and supply chain management functions. The advisor will also contribute to staff safety and well-being, collaborate with HRD Operations Team, and manage the Emergency Field Operations Manual, ensuring quality partnerships and capacity strengthening initiatives for staff and partners.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's Degree in an international development-related field or its equivalent, along with a minimum of five years of relevant international experience in an advisory or management role, ideally within an international NGO. A minimum of three years of experience in humanitarian operations programming is required. Candidates should have knowledge of technical principles in humanitarian operations, particularly in finance and grant management, and experience in developing successful proposals for external funding. Budget management experience, program monitoring and evaluation skills, and proven ability to establish effective partnerships are essential. Candidates should also demonstrate expertise in coordinating training programs for emergency response staff and possess strong networking skills with donors and peer organizations.

Educational Background:
A Master's Degree in an international development-related field or its equivalent is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively contribute to humanitarian operations and grant management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role, with progressive responsibilities. Candidates should ideally have at least three years of experience working on programming interventions in humanitarian operations, demonstrating a solid understanding of the complexities involved in emergency response and recovery efforts.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and French is mandatory for this position, with Spanish considered a plus. The ability to communicate effectively in these languages is crucial for collaboration with diverse teams and stakeholders in various geographical and cultural contexts.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified at salary grade 10 and is based in the United States. 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 organization emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor globally. CRS is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States, working in over 100 countries to save, protect, and transform lives without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS' Code of Conduct and participate in safeguarding efforts for program participants and community members.