technical advisor

senior technical advisor

program manager

senior program manager

specialist

Catholic Relief Services

It felt good coming to work everyday and knowing that the contributions I was making to the CRS mission would be life changing for people around the globe. On the whole, my coworkers were talented, compassionate people, and even though I left the organization, I still keep in touch with a number of them.

The compensation for my field of work---and given my long experience---was okay but fell short of what other nonprofits pay. The benefits were excellent at the time I was there. The organization offered medical, dental, vision, retirement plans with reputable companies---and with low premiums. Retirement had a company match.

I worked at HQ in Baltimore, and the facility was attractive with lots of light. I was lucky enough to get a cube near windows, so could look out at the city when taking an eye-break from my computer. My floor had a kitchen, which was nice---could make tea or keep my lunch in the fridge.

The biggest drawback for me was this: The commute into (and parking in) Baltimore are a bear. The type of work I did was mostly via computer, so I could have easily worked remotely and would have been happy to come into the office, as needed, for review of work that had to be done in person. I was a senior employee, but when I requested to work remotely permanently and expressed that I would be happy to come onsite routinely, I was turned down, even though managers in my division were permitted to work remotely. Didn't seem fair, and I didn't get a good reason why I couldn't do likewise.

First thing's first.  This is a faith based organization and more than half of it's board members are conservative clergy members.  Research all the aspects of Catholic Social Teaching, including the most stringent aspects before you apply because they stick very rigorously to them.  The staff however, including Catholic laity, have a broad spectrum of ideology which somewhat balances this out.  

People tend to either work here 1-3 years, or 20-30 years.  From what I gathered, the programming work done in the field is actually quite decent.  My experience at HQ however was unpleasant largely due to poor information system governance.  A great deal of senior level managers fall into the 20-30 year lifetime employee category, have little or no high level understanding of information technology, and do not seem to have the capability to either understand systems governance issues or to put capable people in charge of managing them at senior levels.  From what I gather however, poor information system governance is the norm in this sector and not unique to CRS.

Additionally, if you are living in Baltimore city, the health insurance benefits provided by them are sub-par as primary care in the downtown area is incredibly difficult to get hold of.  HR was not helpful in managing this issue.  Book your primary doctor in more affluent suburban areas to avoid this problem.  Downtown provides good access to specialists from the two medical schools however.

Purpose-driven work with a real opportunity to serve others. Money is well-spent and truly goes to the people/projects/communities it is meant to serve. Lots of opportunities to learn about different topics from agriculture, water issues, health, and education, no two days are the same. 

Depending on location the workplace culture can be toxic, especially at headquarters. Seems to be a fundamental lack of understanding about what it takes to truly promote and invest in a diverse and equitable staff. Cronyism and managing up are rewarded while people who truly care and live the mission of the organization are overlooked because they don't self promote. 

I am a long time employee of CRS and love working there. The people are wonderful and the mission to alleviate suffering and help people makes it worthwhile. I visit our programs overseas and am always impressed by how efficient and effective our field staff are, and consistently making a difference. 

The workplace culture in a word is: kind. Good people who work very hard and respect each other.

Like any workplace, there are a few staff that operate outside of this ethos, which can be frustrating, but the overwhelming majority of staff care about each other, and are "all rowing in the same direction" to achieve the mission.

The only thing I do not like is that being a subsidiary of the Catholic Church, they must adhere to Church teaching which means spousal benefits are not available to legally married LGBT+ couples, nor is any form of birth control or fertility treatments. But that' something for the Church to change, not Catholic Relief who have no say in it. 

I worked for CRS before, left and returned after working elsewhere simply because of how great it is to work here. There is no perfect workplace and every organization has its issues but CRS is really one of the best you can get. Great and very helpful team. Something new to learn everyday as CRS has endless resources. Absolute commitment to upholding human dignity. Great CEO who is really empathetic. Great pay and benefits. Can be stressful to work here particularly because of the bureaucracy as a result of complicated processes. 

this company is in an extreme state of disarray. the silos that exist across departments cause the environment to be one that is palatably hostile. Unless you are willing to go into a role here with the uderstanding that it is not for you to enact change, but for the firm fist of the Executive Leadership Team to dictate across all areas especially those which they do not understand.

The whole environment is one that quakes when bas press occurs adding to the disarray and as with religions of old, there is going to have to be a sacrificed position and it is a culture of last in/first out.

At the Catholic Relief Services, I received my first major training in Logistics for port and warehouse management in Cotonou, Benin in 1997.  This training was for the entire month of June 1997, and were very profound in presentation in detain and quality when it regards the management SOPs in warehousing , port operations, commodity accounting and reporting.  I was highly appreciated by the top management including the first ad 2nd Country Director of CRS Liberia.  I felt high support but I was not give leave owing to the linkage of the logistics management and dependent on my integrity as the Boss of the several teams.

Most people keep their jobs by donating much time to the work. I effect the agency requires donated labor to function. The best jobs are overseas far from HQ. CRS important work and is exactly who you would want to respond to a disaster like an earthquake. Their is a high level of idealism and much of the work is top notch. But morale is low and getting worse.
CRS recently stopped its defined pension plan, effectively violating a promise made to employees at hiring.
Other benefits are good.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Wonderful leadership both as an international organisation as well as local  in a CP

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Nothing specific is there that was stressful 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The environment is friendly and supportive. Organisation maintains a transparent culture. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Talking with people, listen to them, solving problems that arose

a typical day at work is productive but would be more productive without so many unecessary interuptons.
I have learned a great deal about several different countries all around the world.
Most co-workers are hard working team players.
The hardest part of my job is dealing with unproffesional behavior.
The most enjoyable part of my job is proving out the months end accounting and contribution processes.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Technical advisor 13 salaries reported	$90,269 per year
Senior technical advisor 3 salaries reported	$116,333 per year
Program manager 3 salaries reported	$80,333 per year
Senior program manager 3 salaries reported	$90,667 per year
Specialist 3 salaries reported	$66,667 per year

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