Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor II, RAPID

 CRS JOB DESCRIPTION

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

Project Overview 

Catholic Relief Services is implementing a global emergency response initiative designed to deliver timely, life‑saving humanitarian assistance in rapidly evolving crises worldwide. Over 18 months, the program enables fast, flexible action to address urgent needs arising from sudden shocks and protracted emergencies. It supports critical humanitarian sectors through context‑appropriate assistance while emphasizing operational readiness, rapid response activation, locally led implementation, accountability to affected communities, and safe, dignified programming. The initiative strengthens the organization’s ability to respond at speed and scale in complex and resource‑constrained environments, ensuring help reaches people most in need when it matters most.

Job Summary

The Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor II, RAPID strengthens CRS’ rapid response and ongoing humanitarian operations by providing deployable, hands-on operational expertise to support emergency response delivery. The role contributes to CRS’ capacity, supporting target countries across a specified focus region, of emergency operations across core humanitarian functions, with primary emphasis on supply chain management—particularly procurement and logistics—and emergency suboffice setup.

The Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor II, RAPID 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. 
• 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: RAPID Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor I

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.