Senior Project Officer (DRM)

Position Title: Senior Project Officer (DRM)

2025-10-11 Herat Full Time 8

Job Location:	Herat
Nationality:	Afghan
Category:	Program
Employment Type:	Full Time
Salary:	As per CRS salary scale
Vacancy Number:	CRS/HRT/26/2
No. Of Jobs:	1
City:	Herat

Organization:	CRS
Years of Experience:	• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in DRM, disaster preparedness, or resilience programming, with at least 3 years in a technical leadership/Senior supervisory role. • Proven experience in community-based DRM approaches, participatory planning
Contract Duration:	1 year with possibility of extension
Gender:	Male/Female
Education:	• Bachelor’s degree in Disaster Risk Management, Environmental Science, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Climate Change Adaptation, or related field.
Close date:	2025-10-11

About CRS:

CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion, or nationality. CRS’s relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, health, agriculture, education, and peacebuilding.

CRS Background

CRS has been working on behalf of Afghan communities since 2002, with experienced Afghan staff working in offices across the country. We provide emergency relief, inclusive education, improved agricultural techniques, and other life‐enriching services to tens of thousands of households. The country’s long conflict has left many families displaced and impoverished, but the end of the war in 2021 has opened the exciting possibility of reaching many previously inaccessible communities.

CRS has invested significantly in improved livelihoods in Afghanistan, with a focus on supporting agricultural livelihoods as well as developing alternative livelihoods. CRS provides livelihood recovery and development support to vulnerable and shock-affected groups in Afghanistan, integrating disaster risk reduction and climate resilience elements to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of improvements to livelihoods. CRS is currently implementing programs in the provinces of Bamiyan, Ghor, Herat, and Kabul, and is exploring additional expansion.

Job Background

CRS is a consortium partner in the EU-funded project “Empowering Vulnerable Communities in West, South, and South-East Afghanistan for Climate Resilience and Economic Stability”. The project strengthens climate-resilient livelihoods, market systems, financial inclusion, and disaster preparedness across six provinces, with CRS leading the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Community-Led Disaster Risk Management (CLDRM) components in Herat.

The DRM Senior Project Officer (SPO) will provide strategic and technical leadership to ensure high-quality, evidence-based, and context-appropriate DRM interventions that align with EU donor requirements, CRS standards, and consortium-wide methodologies.

Job Descriptions:

As the DRM SPO will serve as the lead technical person on Disaster Risk Management within CRS Afghanistan and for the consortium in Herat. S/he will oversee the design, adaptation, and implementation of the Community-Led DRM (CLDRM) approach, ensuring integration with climate-smart agriculture, natural resource management, and resilience-building activities.

The role requires strategic engagement with consortium partners, government stakeholders, and technical working groups, while also ensuring capacity strengthening of CRS staff, partners, and community DRM committees. The DRM Technical Manager will directly contribute to Output 4 of the EU project: “Communities at risk have strengthened capacities to manage and respond to natural disasters.” The SPO work will contribute directly to strengthening the capacity of vulnerable communities in Herat to prepare for, mitigate, and respond to natural disasters, while safeguarding livelihoods and promoting social cohesion.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership & Strategic Oversight

Lead the design, adaptation, and application of CRS’s CLDRM methodology in target communities, ensuring integration of gender, protection, and inclusion principles.
Provide technical oversight for all DRM activities, including:
- Establishment/revitalization and capacity strengthening of community DRM committees.
- Facilitation of participatory hazard, vulnerability, and capacity assessments (including Participatory 3D Mapping).
- Development of community-led DRM action plans.
- Implementation of community DRM block grants and nature-based solutions.
Ensure DRM interventions are evidence-based, context-specific, and aligned with project logical framework, donor guidelines, and CRS quality standards.
Lead the development of technical tools, training curricula, and guidance materials for DRM activities.
Lead the design, adaptation, and roll-out of CRS’s CLDRM methodology across Herat target districts.
Ensure DRM activities are evidence-based, climate-resilient, gender-responsive, and conflict-sensitive, aligned with EU project log frame and consortium strategies.
Provide strategic technical guidance on DRM integration with livelihoods, market systems, and financial inclusion components.
Develop and oversee technical standards, tools, and training curricula for DRM interventions.
Serve as CRS’s primary technical representative in consortium DRM Technical Working Groups (TWGs).
Contribute to joint learning, documentation, and dissemination of best practices in DRM and resilience.

Staff Management & Capacity Building

Supervise and mentor CRS DRM staff, ensuring clarity of roles, performance management, and professional growth.
Lead capacity-building initiatives for staff and community DRM committees on participatory risk assessments, DRM planning, and nature-based solutions.
Promote a culture of adaptive management, safeguarding, and accountability within the DRM team.

Assessments, Research & Learning

Oversee baseline, midline, and endline DRM assessments, ensuring methodological rigor and integration with MEAL systems.
Lead Participatory 3D Mapping (P3DM) and other community-based risk analysis tools.
Ensure data-driven decision-making and adaptive management of DRM interventions.
Document and disseminate lessons learned, case studies, and technical briefs for internal and external audiences.

Project Implementation & Quality Assurance

Translate community DRM action plans into operational activities, budgets, and timelines.
Oversee implementation of community DRM block grants, ensuring accountability, sustainability, and community ownership.
Provide technical supervision for nature-based solutions, soil and water conservation, and disaster preparedness infrastructure.
Ensure compliance with EU donor regulations, CRS policies, and Do No Harm principles.

Coordination & Representation

Represent CRS in DRM-related technical working groups, coordination forums, and with relevant government departments, UN agencies, and NGOs.
Foster strong relationships with community leaders, local governance structures, and other stakeholders to ensure acceptance and sustainability of DRM interventions.
Coordinate closely with consortium partners to harmonize DRM approaches and share best practices.

Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure DRM activities comply with CRS policies, donor regulations, and Do No Harm principles.
Identify and mitigate risks related to DRM implementation, including security, environmental, and social risks.
Ensure safeguarding, protection, and gender equity are mainstreamed in all DRM activities.
Identify and mitigate operational, environmental, and social risks in DRM programming.

Job Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Disaster Risk Management, Environmental Science, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Climate Change Adaptation, or related field.
Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in DRM, disaster preparedness, or resilience programming, with at least 3 years in a technical leadership/Senior supervisory role.
Proven experience in community-based DRM approaches, participatory planning, and facilitation.
Demonstrate experience in staff supervision, technical training, and capacity building.
Strong skills in conducting technical surveys, assessments, and data analysis.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and representation skills.
Demonstrated experience in EU-funded or other major donor-funded DRM/resilience projects.
Strong skills in technical assessments, data analysis, and adaptive management.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and representation skills with government, UN, and NGO stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Analysis and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound judgment
Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with community leaders and government representatives

Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
Attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Strong sensitivity and respect for local cultures
Strong listening and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Disaster Risk Management, Environmental Science, Climate Change Adaptation, Civil/Environmental Engineering, or related field.
Experience with EU-funded or other major donor-funded DRM/resilience projects.
Knowledge of climate-smart natural resource management and nature-based solutions.
Familiarity with CRS’s CLDRM methodology and approaches.
Experience in consortium-based programming and multi-stakeholder coordination.
Knowledge of climate-smart agriculture, natural resource management, and nature-based solutions.
Familiarity with Social Behavior Change (SBC) approaches to resilience programming.
Proficiency in MS Office, GIS, mapping tools, and disaster modeling software.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Direct supervision of CRS DRM staff in Herat.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: CRS Program Manager, MEAL team, consortium DRM TWG, other technical specialists.

External: Community DRM committees, local authorities, consortium partners, UN agencies, NGOs, and relevant government departments.

Required Languages – Fluency in English and Dari/Pashto.

Travel – The position may be based in Herat with an anticipated 90% travel to target communities and CRS offices in Herat. The position may also require occasional travel to other CRS offices in Afghanistan for workshops and training.

CRS is committed to providing daily allowances for mahrams who accompany female staff on day trips to the field, and per diem and accommodation for mahrams who accompany female staff on work-related trips that require overnight stays.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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.

Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.
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.

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 protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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

Submission Guidelines:

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!

The process of submitting a CV/Application has been changed to the online system. Therefore, 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., October 11^th, 2025), will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for tests and interviews.