Advisor II – Climate Action

Background

CRS is at a pivotal stage in its environmental sustainability journey, having completed its first Green House Gas (GHG) emissions baseline and set the stage for an increasingly systematic way to conduct GHG inventories. Across the agency, country programs and regions are examining their GHG emissions data and setting ambitious, yet feasible, targets across operational emissions sources, which will roll-up into agency wide commitments. We strive to create a sustainable, equitable future through impactful climate action and operational excellence.

Job Summary

The Climate Action Advisor is responsible for translating carbon inventory data into actionable strategies that will drive the organization’s emissions reduction and mitigation efforts. This key role supports CRS’s climate action goals by educating and mobilizing regions and country programs on their specific carbon footprints and cascading guidance and information on context-specific mitigation strategies. The Advisor plays a key role in connecting with the different internal teams focusing on climate change (operations, programs, and advocacy) across the agency with a view to increasing awareness and coherence and leveraging the learning and engagement of climate action champions across the agency.

• GHG Data Collection: Support country programs in data collection and integrity efforts ensuring the annual GHG inventory is complete, accurate, and aligns with global standards, particularly the GHG Protocol. Collaborate with internal IT and Finance teams to obtain data for accurate emissions tracking.
• GHG Inventory: Liaise and work with carbon accounting firm to complete an annual inventory. Analyze and translate CRS’s GHG inventory into insights, supporting country programs and regions in understanding how carbon accounting data impacts day-to-day operations and long-term climate goals.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Work with country programs and regional staff to ensure submission of their climate action plans and support to provide guidance to align with emissions reductions best practices.
• Mobilize Climate Action: Assist in the development and dissemination of climate action guidance, best practices, and reports, contributing to the agency’s overall climate action strategy. Design educational initiatives to improve awareness of relevant and effective mitigation strategies, ensuring all teams have the knowledge and tools to reduce emissions.
• Target Setting & Mitigation: Alongside the climate action Senior Advisor, support in setting climate targets, aligning appropriate reduction strategies for CRS’s operational footprint, and employing mitigation practices suitable for diverse and fluctuating contexts.
• Communication & Reporting: Support writing and present accessible short and long-form reports on GHG inventory findings to a broad audience, simplifying complex technical information for different stakeholders.
• Design and Lead Engaging Training Sessions and Workshops: Develop and facilitate interactive learning sessions and workshops on operational emissions reductions activities including energy efficiency, waste management , sustainable office practices and procurement, particularly in a remote setting, to educate and inspire internal teams.
• Foster Cross-Learning: Encourage knowledge sharing and cross-learning across regions to strengthen agency alignment and innovation on climate action.
• Build Momentum Around Key Initiatives: Be an energetic, passionate advocate for key areas of work, driving engagement and building a movement within the organization around sustainability efforts.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, sustainability, environmental studies, or a related field.  Masters degree preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, with essential direct experience in sustainability programs and initiatives, and completing GHG inventories or auditing, ideally in a large and/or global organization or firm.
• Strong familiarity and proven experience with completing and/or auditing GHG inventories aligning with GHG Protocol/ISO 14064, emissions reduction target-setting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Comfort and ability to perform required data integrity analysis for carbon footprint inventories and working with external carbon accounting firms.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate technical data into actionable insights for diverse audiences.
• Proven experience working with a range of stakeholders, including technical teams, program managers, and senior leadership, in a consultative and highly collaborative capacity.
• Strong report writing skills, with demonstrated ability to produce accessible and informative content for decision-makers.
• Ability to lead data collection and integrity efforts and ensure adherence to global standards and work with available carbon accounting solutions. Maintain ongoing knowledge of changing methodology for measuring carbon emissions in partnership with carbon accounting firm.
• High degree of interest in climate action and emissions reduction work within a humanitarian organization.
• Proficiency in working collaboratively with IT, finance, and communications teams to support data collection and analysis.
• Oral and written fluency in English is required and ability to work and communicate in French is a strong advantage. Proficiency in Spanish or Arabic is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel). Web Conferencing Applications and strong understanding of information and budget management systems and knowledge-sharing networks.

Required Languages – English.  French is strongly preferred but not required.

Travel – up to 10% of domestic or international travel depending on where candidate is based.

Key Working Relationships

• Internal: The  Senior Advisor for Climate Action, executive leadership including executive sponsors of the CAWG, Regional Directors; Deputy Regional Directors for Operations, Heads of Operations, country program operations staff; CA workstream leads and co-leads, country program climate action champions, Humanitarian Response Team staff, other staff working on climate change programs and initiatives in PIQA (Program Impact Quality Assurance), Mission and Mobilization.
• External: As needed and in collaboration with the Senior Advisor. These could include external consultants (e.g., global renewable energy consultant) and peer organizations, key actors in GHG emissions accounting and environmental sustainability space.

Physical Requirements/Environment:  Normal conditions for an office environment. This position will require travel up to 10%, including in developing country contexts.

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 or global telecommuter, 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.