Position duration: Tentative July 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027)

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. 

The Humanitarian Response Department (HRD) provides leadership and support to CRS emergency programming. The HRD strengthens CRS’ impact through high quality, innovative programs; improved technical and management capacity at the field level; and active engagement in global efforts to promote excellence and learning in humanitarian response. The HRD has technical staff that supports emergency program planning, rapid response, and capacity strengthening of staff and partners worldwide.

Job Summary

The Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor I provides deployable, technical and operational support to CRS humanitarian emergency responses under the guidance of more experienced HRD staff. Reporting to the Humanitarian Response Department (HRD), the role contributes to CRS’ surge capacity by supporting emergency operations across core humanitarian functions, with primary emphasis on supply chain management—particularly procurement and logistics—and emergency sub‑office setup.

The Technical Advisor I works closely with colleagues and other technical departments to support the establishment and strengthening of operational functions, including human resources, finance, security, ICT, administration, and fleet management. S/he supports the application of CRS operational standards and donor requirements, contributes to operational learning and guidance implementation, and assists with capacity‑strengthening efforts for CRS country programs and partners to promote efficient, compliant, and effective humanitarian response operations.

Roles & Responsibilities

General

• Provide rapid deployment, in‑country operational surge support during humanitarian emergencies, applying operational experience to support procurement, logistics, supply chain processes, and emergency sub‑office setup.
• Support emergency operations planning, implementation, and close out through remote and onsite technical assistance, aligned with CRS standards, donor requirements, and good humanitarian practice.
• Assist with the setup and functioning of relief delivery systems, tools, and operational processes in active emergency contexts.

• Provide operational support across HR, finance, security, GKIM, administration, and fleet management, in coordination with relevant CRS technical and departmental leads.

Capacity Strengthening and Accompaniment

• Provide on the job support and basic technical accompaniment to CRS staff and local partners during emergency responses.
• Support delivery of operations focused trainings, briefings, and orientations for emergency staff and partners.

• Contribute to collaboration with local organizations and national and international CRS teams to strengthen operational capacity for emergency response.

Technical Standards, Learning, and Compliance

• Support the application of humanitarian operations standards, tools, and guidance for field operations and emergency supply chains.
• Contribute to updates and dissemination of tools and resources related to the Emergency Field Operations Manual (EFOM).
• Support operational learning by helping document lessons learned, challenges, and good practices from emergency deployments.
• Assist with emergency budgeting, basic cost tracking and support compliance with public donor regulations and operational requirements.
• Management of supply chain and accounting systems in new or rapidly evolving emergency responses.

• Promote awareness of staff care, safety, and security practices in emergency environments.

Coordination and Representation Support

• Support CRS participation in humanitarian coordination, cluster, and operations forums, as requested and under guidance.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of emergency coordination mechanisms.
• Working knowledge of humanitarian supply chain operations, including procurement, logistics, warehousing, and basic commodity tracking in emergency contexts.
• Basic understanding of emergency field operations setup, including sub-office establishment, relief delivery processes, and operational coordination.
• Familiarity with donor regulations and compliance requirements relevant to humanitarian operations.
• Awareness of CRS operational standards, tools, and policies, including emergency operations guidance
• Strong familiarity with SPHERE, Core Humanitarian Standards 
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions independently.
• Extremely flexible and can cope with stressful situations in emergency environments.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership in strategic planning initiatives
• Ability to work both as a motivating member and a leader of a diverse team
• Strong knowledge of effective management practices desired
• Strong MS Office skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience setting up and managing humanitarian supply chains 
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy is a plus. 
• Familiarity with ICT/GIS an asset.
• Familiarity with CRS programming principles preferred.

Required Languages: Proficiency (verbal and written) in English and at least one of the following languages:  French, Spanish, Arabic. 

Travel: Must be able and willing to travel at least 50% of time often at very short notice (within 48 hours) and for an average of four-six weeks (with a maximum of two consecutive months under exceptional circumstances).  Should have the capacity to live and work in difficult/stressful environments and serve wherever agency needs dictate.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Basic Qualifications

• Graduate degree in international development or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience supporting or managing humanitarian operations in the field.
• Demonstrated field management experience with an INGO.
• Experience integrating cross‑cutting themes (protection, gender, capacity strengthening, governance).

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions. 
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

What we offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.  Salary and Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.  CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.