Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor II, RAPID

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 assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors 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 diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency's work culture is collaborative and mission-driven, emphasizing the improvement of lives for the poor globally. The organization has a significant number of employees and operates in numerous countries, reflecting its extensive reach and commitment to humanitarian efforts.

Job Overview:
The Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor II, RAPID plays a crucial role in strengthening CRS's rapid response and ongoing humanitarian operations. This position is designed to provide deployable, hands-on operational expertise to support emergency response delivery. The advisor will contribute to enhancing CRS's capacity to manage emergency operations across core humanitarian functions, with a primary focus on supply chain management, particularly in procurement and logistics, as well as emergency sub-office setup. The role involves collaboration with various technical departments to establish and strengthen 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, contributing to the development and rollout of operational guidance, and supporting capacity-building efforts for CRS country programs and partners. This position is vital for ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need promptly and effectively, especially in complex and resource-constrained environments.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor II, RAPID has a comprehensive set of responsibilities that 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 areas such as human resources, finance, security, GKIM, administration, and fleet management, in coordination with relevant CRS technical leads. Additionally, the advisor will offer remote and onsite technical support for emergency operations planning, implementation, and close-out, ensuring alignment with CRS operational standards, donor regulations, and good humanitarian practices. Establishing and managing relief delivery systems in active emergency contexts is a key responsibility, along with providing on-the-job mentoring, coaching, and training to CRS staff and local partners. The advisor will support collaboration and partnerships with local organizations and national and international CRS teams to strengthen operational capacity for emergency response and recovery. Furthermore, the advisor will contribute to technical standards, guidance, and learning for humanitarian field operations and emergency supply chains, assist with emergency budgeting and compliance with public donor regulations, and represent CRS in relevant humanitarian coordination and operations forums.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor II, RAPID position must possess in-depth knowledge of humanitarian operations systems, with strong expertise in supply chain management, procurement, logistics, and emergency sub-office setup. A solid understanding of public donor regulations, operational compliance requirements, and risk management in emergency contexts is essential. Familiarity with humanitarian best practices, operational standards, and evolving guidance for emergency field operations is also required. Candidates should have a strong understanding of cross-functional operational areas such as HR, finance, security, ICT/telecoms, and fleet management, and how they integrate into emergency response operations. Knowledge of CRS programming principles, emergency coordination mechanisms, and SPHERE/Core Humanitarian Standards is preferred. Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, the ability to exercise sound judgment, and the capacity to work effectively in stressful situations are critical for success in this role.

Educational Background:
The position requires a graduate degree in international development or a related field, or equivalent experience. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of humanitarian operations and the various factors that influence effective emergency response.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of 8 years of experience supporting or managing humanitarian operations in the field. Demonstrated field management experience with an international non-governmental organization (INGO) is crucial, along with experience integrating cross-cutting themes such as protection, gender, capacity strengthening, and governance into humanitarian operations. This level of experience ensures that the advisor can effectively navigate the challenges of emergency response and contribute to the overall success of CRS's humanitarian initiatives.

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 enhances the advisor's ability to work with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, and involves significant travel, with a requirement to be willing to travel at least 50% of the time, often at very short notice (within 48 hours). The advisor should be prepared to spend an average of four to six weeks in the field, with a maximum of two consecutive months under exceptional circumstances. The role may involve working in difficult or stressful environments, and the successful candidate must be able to adapt to the agency's needs. 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 are based on the country of employment. CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where it operates.