Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works in around 100 countries to save, protect, and transform lives, serving people in need regardless of race, religion, or nationality. Through trusted local partnerships, CRS delivers relief and development programs in emergency response, disaster risk reduction, health, agriculture, education, community savings, livelihoods, and peacebuilding.
CRS began working in the Philippines in 1945, making it the longest-running continuous CRS country program in the world. Today, CRS Philippines implements programs in emergency response and recovery, disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, livelihoods, and peace and development. With more than 70 staff across Manila, Cotabato City, Tagbilaran City, Iloilo City, Virac, and Malaybalay City, CRS works closely with church and civil society partners, government agencies, and other organizations to serve vulnerable communities across the country.
The Innovative Climate Financing - Philippines Carbon Finance Pilot is an 18-month initiative (April 2026 – September 2027) which seeks to assess and advance the readiness of indigenous peoples’ ancestral domains in Bukidnon and Davao del Norte for participation in high-integrity forest carbon markets while delivering biodiversity, livelihood, and governance co-benefits. It likewise aims to support overall investments readiness by ensuring robust technical requirements are complied with, particularly on establishing the baseline and baseline, and calculation of project removals in line with the industry’s standards. CRS works with the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) as the local implementing partner, the IP organizations, government agencies, and local stakeholders, to support IP governance strengthening, forest restoration, agroforestry and livelihoods skills strengthening, FPIC processes, biodiversity assessments, land and carbon suitability assessments, safeguarding, and the development of investment-ready carbon project opportunities.
The Senior Social Safeguards Officer shall work closely with the Philippine Eagle Foundation in the design, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of social safeguard systems for community-based conservation, restoration, and carbon finance initiatives. The position ensures compliance with Philippine laws governing Indigenous Peoples' rights, including the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA), as well as applicable international standards on Indigenous Peoples, Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), social inclusion, stakeholder engagement, human rights, equitable benefit sharing, grievance redress, and community participation.
He/She serves as the project's focal point for social safeguards and rights-based approaches, ensuring that project activities are implemented in a manner that respects Indigenous Peoples' rights, promotes meaningful participation, safeguards vulnerable groups, supports equitable benefit sharing, and aligns with requirements of voluntary carbon market standards and international best practices.
The Senior Officer will work closely with Indigenous communities, NCIP, government agencies, local governments, civil society organizations, technical teams, and project partners to ensure that social safeguard obligations are integrated throughout project baselining, feasibility assessment, and design and pre-implementation activities.
Required Languages:
Travel: Must be willing to travel up to 50% of the time to Malaybalay, Bukidnon and/or Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
Key Working Relationships: TBD
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.
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, 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.
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. We alleviate suffering and provide assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, belief or nationality.
CRS maintains strict standards of efficiency, accountability and transparency. Last year, more than 92 percent of revenues spent went directly to programs that benefit the poor overseas.
