About us:

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.

Job Summary

Under Pillar-1 of the CRS Global RAPID Fund Project, CRS aims to safeguard vulnerable communities in Sukkur against climate-related shocks by establishing robust Anticipatory Action (AA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) mechanisms. As the primary technical and operational lead, the Sr. Project Officer will drive Community-Led Disaster Risk Management (CLDRM) approaches to ensure interventions are deeply rooted in local realities. A critical aspect of this role is collaborating closely with the District Government—specifically DDMA and PDMA—to seamlessly integrate community resilience initiatives with formal Early Warning Systems (EWS), localized contingency planning, and forecast-based AA activities.

A central focus of this pivotal role is providing dedicated capacity building, day-to-day mentoring, and accompaniment to our local Implementing Partner (IP), GSF, ensuring high-quality, locally led execution while fostering their institutional expertise in climate resilience programming. These include providing overall technical leadership for the design, implementation, and institutionalization of Anticipatory Action and Disaster Risk Reduction systems, while strengthening the capacities of partners, communities, and government stakeholders to manage disaster risks proactively and effectively. The Officer will champion the demonstration of the Union Council Climate Resilient Development Plan (UC-CRDP) methodology alongside the IP, translating grassroots vulnerabilities into costed, risk-informed action plans. By fostering the IP's technical expertise and bridging the gap between vulnerable communities and formal disaster management architectures, the Officer will ensure the high-quality, locally led execution of all project objectives. Furthermore, the Officer will lead strategic engagement with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial/District Disaster Management Authorities (PDMA/DDMA) to seamlessly integrate community preparedness initiatives with formal Early Warning Systems (EWS) and forecast-based triggers, ultimately embedding local resilience into the government's broader disaster management architecture.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of Anticipatory Action (AA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) under Pillar-1 of the Global RAPID Fund, utilizing Community-Led Disaster Risk Management (CLDRM) approaches to ensure climate-adaptive interventions are deeply rooted in local realities.
• Provide technical leadership and accompaniment to GSF and relevant government stakeholders to develop, validate, and operationalize anticipatory action frameworks, including hazard monitoring systems, trigger thresholds, activation protocols, vulnerability profiling approaches, and forecast-based decision-making processes that enable timely early action before hazards escalate into emergencies.
• Drive strategic collaboration with District and Provincial Governments (DDMA, PDMA) to seamlessly institutionalize community-level contingency plans and forecast-based triggers into formal, government-mandated Early Warning Systems (EWS).
• Lead and mentor GSF and government stakeholders in designing, facilitating, and documenting simulation exercises and drills to test contingency plans, coordination mechanisms, anticipatory action protocols, trigger activation procedures, and operational readiness systems, ensuring lessons learned are integrated into revising preparedness planning and implementation.
• Provide technical support to GSF in developing and maintaining vulnerability databases, anticipatory cash readiness systems, beneficiary profiling mechanisms, and preparedness SOPs that support timely and accountable anticipatory action when predefined triggers are reached.
• Provide technical guidance and capacity strengthening to GSF on anticipatory cash and voucher programming, including cash readiness assessments, beneficiary profiling, delivery mechanisms, trigger-based activation protocols, and operational preparedness measures to enable timely and accountable early action when predefined risk thresholds are reached.
• Provide dedicated accompaniment, day-to-day mentoring, and institutional capacity building to our local Implementing Partner (IP), GSF, ensuring high-quality, locally led execution while fostering their long-term technical expertise in climate resilience programming.
• Act as the primary liaison for the RAPID project in district and provincial coordination forums and technical working groups, actively bridging the gap between vulnerable communities and formal disaster management architectures.
• Co-manage project monitoring, budget utilization, and resource allocation alongside GSF to guarantee the timely, compliant delivery of all project objectives in adherence with CRS and donor guidelines.
• Ensure all field activities strictly adhere to climate-smart programming standards, CRS environmental stewardship principles, and mandatory donor environmental safeguards.
• Spearhead the generation of high-quality evidence, case studies, and trend analyses from the Sukkur pilot to position the UC-CRDP and CLDRM models for broader government adoption and future strategic donor investments.
• Champion the deployment of the Union Council Climate Resilient Development Plan (UC-CRDP) framework alongside GSF, successfully translating grassroots multi-hazard assessments into costed, risk-informed, and "shelf-ready" adaptation blueprints.
• Provide targeted technical guidance and capacity strengthening support to GSF staff and community groups on CLDRM, DRR, Anticipatory Action, Early Warning Systems (EWS), the UC-CRDP methodology, project management, and compliance requirements.
• Monitor project activities, budgets, and resource utilization jointly with GSF to ensure timely implementation, compliance, and achievement of project objectives.
• Actively bridge the gap between vulnerable communities and formal disaster management architectures by representing CRS and the RAPID project in relevant coordination forums, technical working groups, and stakeholder engagements at the district level.
• Promote climate-smart, environmentally sustainable, and community-led approaches that enhance adaptive capacity and reduce vulnerability to climate shocks and stresses.
• Lead the collection, analysis, and reporting of project data, lessons learned, case studies, and best practices, specifically documenting what works within the Sukkur pilot to build a strong evidence base for future donor support and wider government adoption.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Climate Change / Environmental Sciences, Disaster risk Management, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Anticipatory Action (AA), Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), Resilience, Humanitarian Response, or Environmental Sustainability projects.
• Demonstrated experience working with formal Early Warning Systems (EWS), NDMA/PDMA/DDMA coordination, forecast-based financing, community resilience programs, and climate adaptation initiatives.
• Experience coordinating with government disaster management authorities, meteorological departments, humanitarian actors, and development partners.
• Strong understanding of climate risk analysis, resilience programming, environmental safeguards, and community-based disaster risk management approaches.
• Experience managing donor-funded projects (USAID, ECHO, GCF, UNICEF, WFP, FCDO, or similar donors) is highly desirable.
• Experience working in cash and voucher programming.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners

• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Knowledge and skill in GIS and spatial mapping are advantageous

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.

Required Languages – Urdu and English

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 30%. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

CRS strongly encourages applications from qualified candidates who are nationals of the countries and regions where we operate. In alignment with our commitment to local leadership and sustainability, preference will be given to national candidates. If an expatriate is selected, the assignment will be subject to a defined term limit based on the role’s scope and agency needs.

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.