Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor II

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 work through various programs including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to serving individuals without regard to race, religion, or nationality, and emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture. CRS has a strong focus on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its values.

Job Overview:
The Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor II plays a crucial role in enhancing CRS's rapid response and ongoing humanitarian operations. This position involves providing deployable, hands-on operational expertise to support emergency response delivery, with a primary focus on supply chain management, procurement, logistics, and emergency sub-office setup. The advisor will work closely with the Humanitarian Response Department (HRD) to strengthen CRS's surge capacity and ensure effective humanitarian response operations. The role requires collaboration with various technical departments to establish and improve operational functions, including human resources, finance, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, ICT/telecommunications, administration, and fleet management. The advisor is expected to promote high standards of operational management in humanitarian settings by advising on best practices and supporting capacity-building efforts for CRS country programs and partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor II include providing rapid deployment and in-country operational surge support during humanitarian emergencies, focusing on supply chain management, procurement, logistics, and emergency sub-office setup. The advisor will also provide operational support across various functions such as HR, finance, security, administration, and fleet management, ensuring alignment with CRS operational standards and donor regulations. Responsibilities include establishing and managing relief delivery systems in active emergency contexts, mentoring and training CRS staff and local partners, contributing to technical standards and guidance for humanitarian operations, assisting with emergency budgeting and compliance, and representing CRS in relevant humanitarian coordination forums. The advisor will also liaise with peer agencies and promote learning and operational excellence.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess in-depth knowledge of humanitarian operations systems, particularly in supply chain management, procurement, logistics, and emergency sub-office setup. A strong understanding of public donor regulations and operational compliance requirements is essential, along with familiarity with humanitarian best practices and operational standards. The advisor should have excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, the ability to exercise sound judgment, and the capacity to work effectively in diverse teams. Strong MS Office skills are also required, along with the ability to cope with stressful situations in emergency environments.

Educational Background:
A graduate degree in international development or a related field is required, or equivalent experience. Candidates should have a minimum of 8 years of experience supporting or managing humanitarian operations in the field, with demonstrated field management experience with an international non-governmental organization (INGO).

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in humanitarian operations, with a strong emphasis on field management and the integration of cross-cutting themes such as protection, gender, and capacity strengthening. Experience in setting up and managing humanitarian supply chains is preferred, as well as experience in engaging and strengthening partnerships.

Languages:
Proficiency in English (verbal and written) is mandatory, along with at least one additional language such as French, Spanish, or Arabic being highly desirable. This multilingual capability is essential for effective communication in diverse operational contexts.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, and requires the candidate to be willing to travel at least 50% of the time, often at short notice. The role may involve living and working in challenging environments, and the successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and commitment to safeguarding program participants and community members. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, while compensation for candidates employed outside the U.S. is based on the country of employment.