Position duration: Tentative September 2026 – December 31, 2027
Note: this is a remote position, and relocation is not being offered.
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. This program will enable 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
You will provide technical advice and support to a range of program design and
implementation issues in the area of Shelter and Settlements in line with
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor
guidelines, and industry best practices to Country Program (CP) teams to advance
the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your
advice, knowledge, and support will contribute to determining how effective,
adaptive and innovative CRS’ Shelter and Settlements programming is across the
globe.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
Support the development and contribute to the implementation of agency-wide
strategies, standards, tools and best practices in Shelter and
Settlements that effectively engage partners, donors, and governments. Help
ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, protection
mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
Provide technical solutions to CP teams, remotely and on-site, for strategic
planning and how to best apply standards, best practices, partnership
principles, tools and M&E, helping to ensure 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 Shelter and
Settlements 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 Shelter and Settlements learning agenda.
Contribute to maintaining relationships with donors, peer organizations,
research and other institutions, participate in forums in Shelter and
Settlements 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 Shelter & Settlements.
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
Required Languages: English fluency required. Arabic, French, Spanish, and/or
Portuguese a plus.
Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%.
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
QUALIFICATIONS
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, urban planning, construction
management, or field(s) related to Shelter & Settlements is required.
Minimum of five to eight years relevant work experience with progressive
responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with minimum of two
years relevant field-based experience in Shelter & Settlements
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.