CRS JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Humanitarian Operations Technical Advisor II, RAPID
Reports to: Deputy Chief of Party Operations, RAPID
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 sub  office 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.
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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.
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Technical Standards, Learning, and Compliance
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.
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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
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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.
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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
