Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor I

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 programs 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 individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need.

Job Overview:
The Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor I plays a crucial role in providing deployable, technical, and operational support to CRS humanitarian emergency responses. Under the guidance of more experienced staff in the Humanitarian Response Department (HRD), this position contributes to the organization's surge capacity by supporting emergency operations across core humanitarian functions. The primary focus is on supply chain management, particularly procurement and logistics, as well as the setup of emergency sub-offices. The advisor collaborates closely with colleagues and other technical departments to establish and strengthen operational functions, including human resources, finance, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, ICT, administration, and fleet management. This role also involves ensuring compliance with CRS operational standards and donor requirements, contributing to operational learning, and assisting with capacity-strengthening efforts for CRS country programs and partners to promote effective humanitarian response operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor I include providing rapid deployment and in-country operational surge support during humanitarian emergencies. This involves applying operational experience to support procurement, logistics, supply chain processes, and emergency sub-office setup. The advisor is responsible for supporting emergency operations planning, implementation, and closeout through both remote and onsite technical assistance, ensuring alignment with CRS standards, donor requirements, and good humanitarian practices. Additionally, the advisor assists with the setup and functioning of relief delivery systems, tools, and operational processes in active emergency contexts. They provide operational support across various functions such as human resources, finance, security, GKIM, administration, and fleet management, coordinating with relevant CRS technical and departmental leads. The advisor also contributes to capacity strengthening by providing on-the-job support and technical accompaniment to CRS staff and local partners during emergency responses, delivering operations-focused training, briefings, and orientations for emergency staff and partners. Furthermore, the advisor supports the application of humanitarian operations standards, tools, and guidance for field operations and emergency supply chains, contributes to updates and dissemination of tools related to the Emergency Field Operations Manual (EFOM), and assists with emergency budgeting and compliance with public donor regulations. Promoting awareness of staff care, safety, and security practices in emergency environments is also a key responsibility.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor I position include a graduate degree in international development or a related field, or equivalent experience. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of experience supporting or managing humanitarian operations in the field, with demonstrated field management experience with an international non-governmental organization (INGO). Additionally, candidates should have experience integrating cross-cutting themes such as protection, gender, capacity strengthening, and governance into their work. Strong knowledge of effective management practices is desired, along with excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills. Candidates should also possess the ability to exercise sound judgment and make independent decisions, as well as demonstrate flexibility and the capacity to cope with stressful situations in emergency environments.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor I position are required to have a graduate degree in international development or a related field. Alternatively, equivalent experience in humanitarian operations may be considered in lieu of formal education. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of humanitarian work and the operational standards required in emergency contexts.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in supporting or managing humanitarian operations in the field. This experience should include demonstrated field management with an INGO, showcasing the candidate's ability to navigate the challenges of humanitarian work and effectively lead operations in emergency situations. Candidates should also have experience in integrating cross-cutting themes into their work, which is crucial for ensuring comprehensive and effective humanitarian responses.

Languages:
Proficiency in English, both verbal and written, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, candidates should have proficiency in at least one of the following languages: French, Spanish, or Arabic. This multilingual capability is important for effective communication in diverse humanitarian contexts and for engaging with local partners and communities.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to have a tentative duration from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 202

• The role requires the candidate to be willing and able to travel at least 50% of the time, often at very short notice (within 48 hours), and for an average of four to six weeks, with a maximum of two consecutive months under exceptional circumstances. Candidates should have the capacity to live and work in difficult and stressful environments and be prepared to serve wherever agency needs dictate. The position does not have supervisory responsibilities. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For successful candidates employed outside the U.S., salary and benefits packages are based on the country of employment and the in-country office where the candidate will perform the role. CRS is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people, especially children and vulnerable adults, and candidates are expected to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct.