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The MEAL TA I will support the design, set up, and implementation of the Caritas Venezuela MEAL overall framework for the emergency response, with special emphasis on a program funded through the US Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response (DHR). * Support the development and contribute to the implementation of the Caritas Venezuela MEAL Framework for the Earthquake Response, following CRS and Caritas Venezuela-wide strategies, standards, tools and best practices in MEAL. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
Last checked: 2 hours ago
Closing date: Tuesday, 21 July 2026
Country: Honduras
Duty station: Honduras
Contract type: Professional
Grade: Not specified
Applicant eligibility: Not explicit in source
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Job Title: Venezuela Earthquake Response - MEAL Technical Advisor I Reports to: EMPOWER MEAL TA IIDepartment: Humanitarian Response Department (HRD)Salary Grade: 9
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform the lives of people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion, or nationality. CRS’s relief and development work is carried out through programs in emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.
Job Summary
The EMPOWER (Empowering Partner Organizations Working in Emergency Response) program is an initiative that started in 2018 and is currently in its 4th phase. Under Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) Humanitarian Response Department (HRD), EMPOWER has recently transitioned to a Global Structure, focusing on partner capacity strengthening in emergency response in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Central & West Africa, with a structure able to expand into other regions as applicable.
The objectives of the program include: 1) strengthening local humanitarian actors’ participation in networks/coordination platforms, 2) strengthening local humanitarian actors’ institutional and project capacity to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies, and 3) seeking and garnering humanitarian funding for local humanitarian actor-led emergency responses.
The HRD has technical staff who support emergency program planning, rapid response, and capacity strengthening for staff and partners worldwide. The HRD strengthens CRS’s impact through high-quality, innovative programs; improved technical and management capacity at the field level; and active engagement in global efforts to promote excellence and learning in humanitarian response.
On 24 June 2026, northern Venezuela was struck by two major earthquakes—a magnitude 7.2 foreshock followed 39 seconds later by a magnitude 7.5 mainshock in Yaracuy—representing the strongest seismic event in the country since 1900. As of 25 June 2026, preliminary government figures report at least 164 deaths and 971 injuries, with figures expected to rise as access improvements, particularly in severely affected areas such as La Guaira. More than 30 aftershocks have continued to impede search-and-rescue operations, exacerbate structural instability, and prevent displaced populations from safely returning home.
The earthquake has sharply intensified pre-existing humanitarian needs in a country where an estimated 7.9 million people already require assistance due to chronic economic crisis, weakened public services, food insecurity, and limited access to healthcare and essential goods. Initial sectoral findings from CV rapid assessments (24–25 June 2026) highlight acute, life-threatening gaps across multiple sectors. Damage to water systems, pipelines, and pumping infrastructure—combined with power outages—has left displaced populations without reliable access to safe water, sanitation, or hygiene services, increasing the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks. Simultaneously, food access has deteriorated as household purchasing power declines, markets face disruption or supply constraints, and displaced families lose access to food stocks and income sources.
In Venezuela, CRS works through its partner organization Caritas Venezuela which serves as the main implementor for all projects, with CRS providing technical accompaniment and operational support. The MEAL TA I will support the design, set up, and implementation of the Caritas Venezuela MEAL overall framework for the emergency response, with special emphasis on a program funded through the US Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response (DHR).
Roles and Key Responsibilities
Basic Qualifications
Required Languages
Excellent spoken and written English; Spanish required.
Travel
This position must be based in Venezuela.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in CRS's mission, values, and guiding principles and are used by each staff member to fulfill their responsibilities and achieve desired results.
Supervisory Responsibilities
No supervisory responsibilities.
Key Working Relationships
Internal: CRS MEAL Technical Advisor II (EMPOWER MEAL Team Lead), CRS Venezuela Earthquake team
External: Caritas Venezuela Leadership, Caritas Venezuela Earthquake Response Team.
MEAL Competencies:
Each staff member in this position is expected to have solid knowledge and ability and can apply the following competencies with minimal or no guidance, in the full range of typical situations, while requiring guidance to handle novel or more complex situations
***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. 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 protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
CRS's talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
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.
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