WASH and Infrastructure Technical Advisor II

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS has a significant presence in Ukraine, particularly following the escalation of conflict in 2022, where it has expanded its programming to address the urgent needs of war-affected populations. The Moldova and Ukraine Country Office has reached over 500,000 individuals through its comprehensive emergency and recovery strategies, emphasizing local leadership and partner capacity building to enhance impact and sustainability. The organization is funded by institutional donors and private emergency funding, ensuring a robust support system for its initiatives.

Job Overview:
As the WASH and Infrastructure Technical Advisor II, you will play a pivotal role in leading the technical support for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives, as well as energy and infrastructure projects for Caritas Ukraine under the U.S. Government Department of State funded program, Multi-Sector Assistance to War-Affected People in Ukraine. Your responsibilities will include providing expert technical advice and guidance on design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation, ensuring adherence to quality principles, technical standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. You will work closely with CRS and CUA teams to enhance the delivery of high-quality programming aimed at supporting vulnerable and conflict-affected populations across Ukraine. Your expertise will be crucial in advancing the strategic planning and execution of WASH activities, ensuring that they meet national and humanitarian standards while effectively addressing the needs of the communities served.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Your primary duties will include providing technical solutions to CRS and CUA teams, both remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and the application of program design and implementation standards. You will lead the technical design and review of specifications, Bill of Quantities (BoQs), and drawings to ensure that WASH infrastructure and water treatment solutions comply with national and humanitarian standards. Additionally, you will provide on-site technical guidance, monitor construction works, and oversee the commissioning of water sources, energy systems, and heating points to guarantee quality rehabilitation. Supporting partners in procurement, contracting, and construction monitoring will also be part of your responsibilities, ensuring timely and compliant implementation of WASH infrastructure activities. You will develop and implement strategies and tools for WASH programming, integrating gender, protection, and disaster risk reduction across interventions. Your role will also involve contributing to business development, including technical design for complex proposals, defining monitoring systems and indicators, and aligning donor priorities with CRS approaches. Furthermore, you will strengthen the WASH capacity of staff and partners through training, mentoring, and the development of learning strategies and practical tools. Promoting knowledge management and learning through data collection, evaluation of strategic projects, and sharing lessons learned will be essential. You will establish and maintain relationships with donors, peer organizations, and other institutions, participating in coordination forums to share best practices and promote CRS and partners' work. Proficiency in security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security protocols and management of emergency WASH programs in insecure environments will be necessary.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Water Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field. Candidates should demonstrate a strong application of technical principles and concepts in WASH, with a general knowledge of related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach. Experience working with partner organizations on project management, capacity strengthening, and institutional development is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience in business development, project design, and proposal development in WASH, including technical writing. Skills in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training using adult learning principles are also required. Familiarity with program monitoring and evaluation, including data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and presentation is necessary. Strong networking and relationship management skills with donors, peer organizations, and civil society partners are crucial, along with an understanding of partnership principles. Excellent strategic, analytical, problem-solving, and systems thinking skills are required, as well as strong written and oral communication skills. Proficiency in MS Office packages and knowledge-sharing networks is also expected.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Water Engineering, or Environmental Engineering as a minimum requirement. A Master’s degree in a related field is preferred and will enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
A minimum of eight years of relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities is required, ideally within an international NGO. Candidates should have at least three years of experience working on programming interventions in WASH. Previous experience providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is also necessary.

Languages:
Fluency in English (both written and verbal) is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian is considered an advantage, as it will facilitate communication and collaboration with local partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is contingent on funding confirmation and is based in Ukraine. The role may require up to 30% field travel within Ukraine, primarily to partner offices. Supervisory responsibilities will be determined based on the specific needs of the project. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages will be based on the country of employment. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS’ Code of Conduct.