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 II strengthens CRS’ rapid response and ongoing humanitarian operations by providing deployable, hands-on operational expertise to support emergency response delivery. Reporting to the Humanitarian Response Department (HRD), the role enhances CRS’ surge capacity by providing technical support across core humanitarian operational functions, with primary emphasis on supply chain management particularly in procurement and logistics, and sub-office setup in emergency contexts.

The Technical Advisor II collaborates with other technical departments to support the establishment and strengthening of related operational functions, including human resources, finance, security, ICT/telecommunications, administration, and fleet management. S/he promotes 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 to ensure timely, compliant, and effective humanitarian response operations.

Roles & Responsibilities

General

• Provide rapid deployment, in‑country operational surge support during humanitarian emergencies as an expert with focus on supply chain management particularly in procurement and logistics, and emergency sub‑office setup.
• Provide operational support across HR, finance, security, GKIM, administration, and fleet management, in coordination with relevant CRS technical leads.
• Provide remote and onsite technical support for emergency operations planning, implementation, and close‑out, ensuring alignment with CRS operational standards, donor regulations, and good humanitarian practice.
• Establish and manage relief delivery systems in active emergency contexts.

Capacity Strengthening and Accompaniment

• Provide on‑the‑job mentoring, coaching, and training to CRS staff and local partners, and support the design and rollout of operations‑focused emergency training activities.
• Support collaboration and partnerships with local organizations and national and international CRS teams to strengthen operational capacity for emergency response and recovery.

Technical Standards, Learning, and Compliance

• Contribute to technical standards, guidance, and learning for humanitarian field operations and emergency supply chains, including supporting updates to the Emergency Field Operations Manual (EFOM).
• Design and adapt humanitarian operations training modules in collaboration with HQ departments and HRD technical teams.
• Assist with emergency budgeting, basic cost tracking, and supply chain monitoring, and support compliance with public donor regulations and operational requirements.
• Establishment and management of supply chain and accounting systems in new or rapidly evolving emergency responses.

Ensure awareness of and compliance with public donor regulations and operational requirements relevant to humanitarian operations.

Coordination and Representation Support

• Represent CRS and HRD in relevant humanitarian coordination, cluster, and operations forums, promote staff care and security, and contribute to CRS‑wide operations policy adaptation for emergency contexts.
• Liaise with peer agencies, clusters, and humanitarian fora to promote learning and operational excellence.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• In‑depth knowledge of humanitarian operations systems, with strong expertise in supply chain management, procurement, logistics, and emergency sub‑office setup.
• Strong understanding of public donor regulations, operational compliance requirements, and risk management in emergency contexts.
• Solid knowledge of humanitarian best practices, operational standards, and evolving guidance for emergency field operations.
• Familiarity with cross‑functional operational areas (HR, finance, security, ICT/telecoms, fleet) and how they integrate into emergency response operations.
• Familiarity with CRS programming principles
• Familiarity with ICT/GIS
• Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy
• Knowledge of emergency coordination mechanisms
• 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.

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 8 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.