Technical Advisor I – Disaster Risk Reduction and Anticipatory Action (DRR/AA)

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, providing relief and development assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding, aiming to save, protect, and transform lives. CRS is committed to safeguarding vulnerable populations and operates with a collaborative, mission-driven culture.

Job Overview:
The Technical Advisor I for Disaster Risk Reduction and Anticipatory Action (DRR/AA) will play a crucial role in integrating DRR and AA strategies across all RAPID program interventions. This position requires 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 and AA approaches are effective, adaptive, and innovative, ultimately enhancing the quality and impact of programming for vulnerable populations. The role involves supporting the development of technical designs for proposals, advising project teams on integrating donor strategies, and contributing to capacity strengthening initiatives for staff and partners in DRR/AA programming.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Technical Advisor I include contributing to the implementation of agency-wide strategies and standards in DRR/AA, ensuring a cross-sectoral approach that integrates gender, inclusion, and protection mainstreaming. The advisor will provide technical solutions to regional and country program teams, assist in the preparation and submission of project proposals, and act as a technical writer when necessary. They will also support capacity strengthening initiatives by developing training strategies, conducting workshops, and coaching staff and partners. Additionally, the advisor will collect and analyze program data, share lessons learned, and maintain relationships with donors and peer organizations to promote best practices in DRR/AA.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to DRR/R, such as Disaster Management or Environmental Management. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred. The position requires a minimum of five to eight years of relevant work experience, ideally with an international NGO, including at least two years of field-based experience in DRR/AA. Proficiency in MS Office and knowledge of technical principles in DRR/AA are essential, along with experience in project design, proposal development, and program monitoring and evaluation.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in studies related to Disaster Risk Reduction, Environmental Management, Climate Risk Management, or humanitarian aid. A Master’s degree in a related field is considered an advantage and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of five to eight years of relevant work experience, with progressive responsibilities in the field of disaster risk reduction and anticipatory action. This experience should ideally be with an international NGO, and candidates must have at least two years of relevant field-based experience in DRR/AA programming.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is required for this position. Additionally, professional proficiency in at least one of the CRS working languages, such as Arabic, French, Spanish, or Portuguese, is considered an advantage and may enhance the candidate's ability to perform effectively in this 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. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a 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 safeguarding program participants and ensuring a safe working environment for all staff.