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

CRS JOB DESCRIPTION

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.  

Job Summary:   

You will support the integration of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Anticipatory Action (AA) across all RAPID program interventions, providing technical guidance in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality standards, donor requirements, and industry best practices. Through your expertise, advice, and influence, you will help ensure that DRR and Anticipatory Action approaches are effective, adaptive, and innovative, ultimately strengthening the quality and impact of programming for vulnerable populations.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in DRR/AA in humanitarian response, that effectively engage partners, donors and governments. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, inclusion, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
• Provide technical solutions to regional and County Program teams, remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and how to best apply program design and implementation standards, best practices, partnership principles, tools, and M&E, ensuring high-quality implementation.
• Contribute to the development of the technical design for proposals.  Support the process of preparation, design, submission and approval of project concepts and full-fledged proposals. As needed, act as a technical writer on proposal development teams. Advise project teams on integrating donor strategies, priorities and technical requirements into CRS’ approach. 
• Support capacity strengthening initiatives in DRR/AA programming for staff and partners through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and workshops, and coaching. 
• Collect and analyze program data, capture and share lessons learned and best practices for specific projects to facilitate improvements in decision-making and contribute to the DRR/AA learning agenda. 
• Contribute to maintaining relationships with donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions, participate in forums in DRR/AA to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities   

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks. 
• Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in DDR/AA General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach. 
• Experience in project design and proposal development. Experience in writing content for proposals. 
• Knowledge of capacity-strengthening best practices. 
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation and analysis. 
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles. 
• Strong relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings 
• Good strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment 
• Good technical writing skills 
• Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills 
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented 

Preferred Qualifications  

• Master’s degree in studies related to DRR/R such as Disaster Management, Environmental Management, Climate Risk Management, preparedness, humanitarian aid is an advantage. 

Required/Desired Foreign Language 

English and French proficiency required. Professional proficiency in at least one additional CRS working language (Arabic, Spanish, or Portuguese) is an advantage. 

Travel Requirement 

Travel is expected to be up to 50% for this position. 

Key Working Relationships

Internal

• Anticipatory Action Lead
• Team Lead for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience
• Other HRD Team Members - Technical Advisors (DRR/R, Cash/Markets, Food Security/Livelihoods, Shelter, WASH, Safe and Dignified Programming, Emergency Program Quality and Management, Operations, and EMPOWER)
• Regional and Country Program Teams 

External

• Caritas International Member Organization representatives
• Representatives of other INGOs, UN and International Agencies operating in the areas support is provided
• Donor organization representatives (BHA, ECHO, etc.) as needed
• Local government authorities 

Basic Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree in studies related to DRR/R such as Disaster Management, Environmental Management, Climate Risk Management, preparedness, humanitarian aid, is required. 
• Minimum of five-eight relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with minimum of two years relevant field-based experience in DRR/AA. 

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.