Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor I, RAPID CWARO

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, focusing on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to serving those in need without regard to race, religion, or nationality, and emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. CRS fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture that values diversity and inclusivity, welcoming individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. The agency's work is supported by a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, while salary and benefits for international staff are based on the local context and country of employment.

Job Overview:
The RAPID Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor I plays a crucial role in providing deployable, technical, and operational support to CRS humanitarian emergency responses. This position is designed to enhance CRS's capacity to respond effectively to emergencies across a specified focus region, which includes Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Cameroon, Benin, and Togo. The advisor will primarily focus on supply chain management, particularly in procurement and logistics, and will assist in setting up emergency suboffices. The role requires close collaboration with various technical departments to strengthen operational functions, including human resources, finance, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, ICT, administration, and fleet management. The advisor will also support the application of CRS operational standards and donor requirements, contribute to operational learning, and assist in capacity strengthening efforts for CRS country programs and partners, ensuring efficient and effective humanitarian response operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor I is responsible for providing rapid deployment and in-country operational surge support during humanitarian emergencies. This includes applying operational experience to support procurement, logistics, supply chain processes, and emergency suboffice setup. The advisor will assist in emergency operations planning, implementation, and closeout through both remote and onsite technical assistance, ensuring alignment with CRS standards, donor requirements, and good humanitarian practices. Key responsibilities include setting up and managing relief delivery systems, tools, and operational processes in active emergency contexts, providing operational support across HR, finance, security, administration, and fleet management, and delivering operations-focused training and orientations for emergency staff and partners. The advisor will also contribute to the application of humanitarian operations standards, assist with emergency budgeting and compliance, and promote staff care and safety practices in emergency environments. Additionally, the advisor will support CRS participation in humanitarian coordination and operations forums as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a graduate degree in international development or a related field, or equivalent experience. A minimum of 5 years of experience supporting or managing humanitarian operations in the field is required, along with demonstrated field management experience with an international non-governmental organization (INGO). Experience in integrating cross-cutting themes such as protection, gender, capacity strengthening, and governance is also necessary. Knowledge of emergency coordination mechanisms and humanitarian supply chain operations, including procurement, logistics, and warehousing, is essential. Familiarity with donor regulations and compliance requirements relevant to humanitarian operations is expected, as well as strong interpersonal and negotiation skills. Candidates should be flexible and able to cope with stressful situations in emergency environments, demonstrating leadership in strategic planning initiatives and effective management practices.

Educational Background:
The position requires a graduate degree in international development or a related field. Equivalent experience may also be considered in lieu of formal education. Candidates should have a strong understanding of humanitarian operations and the ability to apply this knowledge in practical settings.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have 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 and a proven ability to integrate cross-cutting themes into operational practices. Candidates should also have experience in setting up and managing humanitarian supply chains and engaging with partners to strengthen operational capacity.

Languages:
Proficiency in English, both verbal and written, is mandatory. French is preferred as a secondary language, which would enhance communication and operational effectiveness in the regions served by CRS.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote-based, and candidates must be located in one of the specified countries: Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Cameroon, Benin, or Togo. The anticipated duration of the assignment is from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 202

• Candidates must be willing to travel at least 50% of the time, often at very short notice, and for extended periods averaging four to six weeks. The role does not include supervisory responsibilities, and candidates should be prepared to work in challenging environments. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and successful candidates will be expected to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct.