Emergency and Recovery Coordinator - Afghanistan and Pakistan

CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

Background:

In Afghanistan, more than four decades of conflict and recurrent natural disasters, particularly droughts, and earthquakes have resulted in persistent poverty, especially in rural communities, as well as high levels of displacement to urban areas. The country’s long conflict has left many families displaced and impoverished, but the war’s end in 2021 opened the possibility of reaching many previously inaccessible communities. CRS has been accompanying Afghan families since 2002, providing emergency relief, WASH, education, improved agricultural livelihoods, integrated natural resource management and market system development, alongside other complementary life‐enriching services to households and communities across the country. Over the last year alone, CRS has been directly implementing programs in the provinces of Bamiyan, Ghor, Herat, and partnering with a growing base of local actors to implement interventions across provinces of Balkh, Lagman, Logar, Kabul, Kunar, Kunduz, Nangahar, Samangan, Sar-e Pol.  

Meanwhile, Pakistan is also among the most climate-vulnerable countries globally, facing recurrent floods, droughts, glacial melt, heatwaves, and erratic monsoons that compound poverty, displacement, and food insecurity. In this context, CRS is catalyzing transformative change by influencing systems to effectively meet the needs and aspirations of the poor and vulnerable. CRS Pakistan is focusing on high-impact emergency response and recovery in provinces of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, embedding disaster risk reduction and climate resilience approaches. 

You will manage and provide technical oversight of development and implementation of anticipatory action, emergency response and recovery programming within the Afghanistan and Pakistan Business Management Unit, accompanying a dynamic team to ensure effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality interventions that advances CRS' work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your knowledge, capacity strengthening skills and management abilities will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming with strengthened local partnerships that apply best practices and constantly work towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve

 Roles and Key Responsibilities:

·       In close collaboration with the Senior Management Team and Humanitarian Response Department (HRD) Emergency Technical Advisors, manage the planning, strategy and implementation of all emergency response and recovery activities in line with CRS quality standards, donor requirements, and national and international standards and ensure program components are implemented in an integrated manner with other ongoing programming, ensuring staff safety and security.

·       Support the identification, assessment, accompaniment and strengthening of local partner organizations to design and deliver quality emergency response, anticipatory action and recovery programming, applying CRS partnership principles, tools and approaches, and promoting sustainable local leadership. 

·       Ensure technical assistance and capacity strengthening for emergencies, anticipatory action and recovery project teams (CRS and partners) in project management standards, emergency preparedness, cash readiness, MEAL, business development and operational activities. 

·       Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of anticipatory action and emergency staff, and complete performance management for direct reports. Build a strong cohesive team.

·       Promote MEAL and knowledge management by leading program/project reviews and reflections with staff and partner representatives and documentation of good practices and lessons learned for assessments, to adjust strategies and implementation plans, to inform future programming initiatives and approaches, and to contribute to organizational learning. 

·       Represent CRS and collaborate, coordinate and communicate on a regular basis with donors, NGO working groups, the UN, and relevant local administration and community actors to keep abreast of changing needs and opportunities on the ground, to develop synergies, and to identify opportunities for growth. 

·       Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality emergency proposals per agency and donor standards. Contribute to strategic positioning, partner identification, budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.

·       Identify emergency capacity building needs for staff and local partner organizations and take the lead on planning emergency training and capacity building programs and activities, developing curricula, and delivering capacity sharing sessions.

·       Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.

• Bachelor's Degree in International Development, International Relations or relevant field.
• Minimum of 8 years of field-based work experience in a program/project management position with an international NGO, with at least 2-3 years working in emergency response programming.
• Demonstrated ability to represent CRS at coordination meetings with donors, local administration, UN, and other international NGOs.
• Experience engaging local partners and strengthening partnerships. 
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching and mentoring senior program staff.
• Strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Excellent relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching/mentoring skills.
• Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications 

Experience with emergency proposals and strategy design. Familiarity with policies, procedures, and priorities of US Government, the EU, FCDO, UN agencies and Caritas agencies preferred.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of emergency guidelines and standards. 
• Strong experience implementing market-based approaches in emergency programming
• Experience in building and motivating diverse and talented teams.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
• Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions with limited or incomplete information and offer innovative solutions.
• Strong representation and relationship management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally.
• Ability to work long hours in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities. 
• Able to live in an environment where everyday comforts are not ready available.  
• Ability to function well in a stressful environment, stay focused, and maintain sufficient work life balance with limited options for downtime activity. 
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

 Required Languages – English.

 Travel - This position is based in Kabul. Selected candidate must be willing and able to travel up to 40% in-country Afghanistan, and as needed internationally to Pakistan

 Supervisory Responsibilities: Senior Project Officers focused on emergency programs, emergency operations, emergency education and local partnerships. 

 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.

Protection Acknowledgment: CRS prohibits all forms of abuse and exploitation towards children and vulnerable adults. As a professional candidate, you commit to adhering to the Agency’s policy on protection, rights and dignity of children and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from abuse and exploitation as defined in CRS’ Safeguarding Policy

 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. 

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

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. 

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.

Applications comprise a one-page cover letter to explain your interest and suitability for the post and your CV. Please do not attach your education documents and work certificates unless requested.

Dear Applicants!

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply using the link provided below. Applications sent to any other email address or location will not be considered. Please ensure to rename your application file according to your name entered on the first page of the application forms.

Interested candidates can submit their applications by clicking on this link.

Please note that applications received after the closing date (i.e., July 16^th, 2026), will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for tests and interviews.