Technical Advisor I, DRR and Recovery

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to serve those in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, focusing on saving, protecting, and transforming lives without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization is dedicated to relief and development work through various programs, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS employs a diverse workforce and is committed to safeguarding vulnerable populations, ensuring that its processes and policies reflect a commitment to protecting children and adults from abuse and exploitation.

Job Overview:
The Technical Advisor I, DRR and Recovery position is designed to support the integration of Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery (DRR/R) across all RAPID program interventions. The role involves providing technical guidance that aligns with CRS program quality standards, donor requirements, and industry best practices. The advisor will leverage their expertise to ensure that DRR/Recovery initiatives, particularly through Community Led Disaster Risk Management (CLDRM) approaches, are effective, adaptive, and innovative. This position plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality and impact of programming aimed at vulnerable populations, ensuring that strategies are implemented effectively and that lessons learned are captured and shared to facilitate continuous improvement.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Technical Advisor I include contributing to the implementation of agency-wide strategies and standards in DRR/Recovery, ensuring effective engagement with partners, donors, and governments. The advisor will provide technical solutions to regional and country program teams, both remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design. They will assist in the development of technical designs for proposals, support project concept preparation, and act as a technical writer when necessary. Additionally, the advisor will advise project teams on integrating donor strategies into CRS’ approach, support capacity strengthening initiatives for staff and partners, and collect and analyze program data to inform decision-making. Maintaining relationships with donors and participating in forums to share best practices are also essential duties.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to DRR, such as Disaster Management, Environmental Management, or Climate Risk Management. A minimum of five to eight years of relevant work experience is required, ideally with an international NGO, including at least two years of field-based experience in Community Led Disaster Risk Management (CLDRM). Proficiency in MS Office and knowledge of technical principles in DRR/AA are essential. Experience in project design, proposal development, and capacity-strengthening best practices is also required. Strong relationship management skills, strategic thinking, and technical writing abilities are crucial for success in this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in studies related to Disaster Risk Reduction, such as Disaster Management, Environmental Management, or Climate Risk Management. A Master’s degree in a related field is preferred and would be considered an advantage, particularly for candidates seeking to enhance their qualifications in DRR.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five to eight years of relevant work experience, with progressive responsibilities. Candidates should have at least two years of field-based experience specifically in Community Led Disaster Risk Management (CLDRM), demonstrating a solid understanding of the practical applications of DRR principles in real-world scenarios.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, professional proficiency in at least one of CRS's working languages, such as Arabic, French, Spanish, or Portuguese, is considered advantageous and may enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is a global remote role with a duration of 18 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance. Travel is expected to be up to 50% for this position, which may involve visiting various program sites and engaging with local partners and stakeholders. 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., salary and benefits packages will be based on the country of employment. CRS is committed to a collaborative, mission-driven work culture and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its values.