Technical adviser I, Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Background:

While CRS is well known as an Emergency Response Agency, our humanitarian assistance extends far beyond responding to the after effects of a disaster. When affected communities and households are able to anticipate, cope and respond positively to shocks and stresses, the likelihood of shocks becoming disasters is reduced and the prospect for future livelihood security is increased. Strengthening the adaptive capacity of affected households and communities to improve response to social, economic and environmental change should be incorporated in all our emergency response and recovery programs. Similarly improved disaster risk management will improve affected households’ and communities’ capacities to reduce disaster risk and absorb the impacts of shocks and stresses.

Job Summary:

The TA for Disaster Risk Reduction and Livelihood Resilience primary responsibility will be to ensure the integration of best practices in DRR and Resilience in CRS emergency response and recovery programs. S/he will also be responsible for identifying new opportunities in DDR/Resilience programming, evaluating existing programs and ensuring best practices and lessons learned are shared across the agency. The TA for Disaster Risk Reduction & Resilience will play an important support role in CRS representation both internally and externally in disaster risk management and disaster resilience forums.

Dept/Country: Humanitarian Response Department (HRD)

Reports to: Senior Technical Coordinator, Response, Recovery, and Resilience Project

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Provide remote and direct support to Country Programs and Regions to ensure the integration of disaster reduction and resilience activities in emergency response programs.
2. Provide support for slow-onset emergencies, with a particular focus on resilience.
3. Support Country Programs to identify needs and funding opportunities for DRR and resilience programming, including opportunities for evaluating the impact of DRR/Resilience activities/programs. Support the development and review of proposals.
4. Assess CRS emergency response activities to determine whether program beneficiaries are on course towards greater vulnerability or greater resilience.
5. Lead in the cross fertilization of ideas related to DRR and resilience, best practices and relevant information between regions, country programs and departments.
6. Support and advise other emergency response sectoral TAs to integrate DRR and resilience into their sectors, (example – WASH, Shelter, Livelihoods and Food Security).
7. Provide technical support and input to the resilient components of large multi-year programs such as DFAPs.
8. In coordination with the HRD TA for Capacity Building, develop a capacity building plan for DRR and resilience. Design training materials and facilitated capacity building events to increase CRS staff and partners’ ability to operationalize DRR and resilience into emergency response and recovery programming.
9. Mentor country program and partner technical staff when on deployment and through remote support.
10. Represent CRS at internal and external meetings and events on DRR and resilience.
11. Write and contribute to publications that highlight best practices and innovations in the incorporation of DRR and resilience focused activities within sectoral interventions or stand alone DRR/Resilience programming.
12. Conduct a review of CRS’ existing DRR and resilience guidance as well as tools/guidance produced by others as a means of defining a core set of tools/guidance for use by staff and partners. Update as and when needed based on feedback by users and regular review of new tools/guidance.
13. Ensure close collaboration with designated staff within the Program Impact/Quality Assurance (PIQA) and Ag/Livelihoods team to ensure strong coordination and shared responsibility for DRR/Resilience programs that are common to the two Strategic Program Areas.
14. Contribute to development and promulgation of agency guidance on emergency programming.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

CRS Emergency Competencies:

Each CRS staff member working in emergencies is expected to use the following competencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Communicates strategically under pressure.
• Manages stress and complexity.
• Actively promotes safety and security.
• Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Senior Technical Coordinator of MACF grant, HRD S/TAs for Livelihood and Food Security, Shelter and Settlement, and WASH, MEAL, Capacity Building and other HRD staff; HQ/Regional and CP program staff involved in DRR/Resilience programming;
External: Local and international NGOs, Donors, InterAction, UN; and research institutions and private sector companies, as appropriate.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

1. Master’s degree in international development or related field.
2. Minimum of five years of experience in the design, management, & implementation of a wide range of humanitarian operations
3. Ability to take initiative and work independently
4. Demonstrated capacity to work in teams and operate efficiently in stressful and fluid environments
5. Excellent communication skills both oral and written
6. Flexibility in adapting to highly dynamic initiatives; enjoy multi-tasking and working in rapidly changing environments
7. Strong problem solving skills
8. Ability to positively represent the agency both internally and externally

Required Foreign Language:

Fluency in English; professional proficiency in one of CRS’ other ‘main’ languages (French, Spanish, Arabic or Portuguese)

Required Travel:

At least 50% of work time

Work Environment:

Normal Office Environment, Telework negotiable, Willingness & ability to travel regularly, at times on short notice, and serve wherever agency needs’ dictate.

Disclaimer Clause:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
EOE/M/F/D/V