Short-Term Assignment-- Acting WASH and Infrastructure TA 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 Moldova and Ukraine has rapidly expanded its operations following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, reaching over 500,000 people through a comprehensive strategy that includes shelter, infrastructure, and recovery programs. The organization emphasizes strengthening local partnerships and enhancing the capacity of local leaders to maximize impact and reach vulnerable populations.

Job Overview:
As the Acting WASH and Infrastructure Technical Advisor II, you will be responsible for leading the technical support on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) as well as energy and infrastructure initiatives for Caritas Ukraine under the U.S. Government Department of State funded program, Multi-Sector Assistance to War-Affected People in Ukraine. Your role will involve 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, and donor guidelines. You will work closely with CRS and CUA teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality programming that effectively supports vulnerable and conflict-affected communities across Ukraine. This position requires strong relationship management skills and a deep understanding of WASH programming to advance the mission of CRS and its partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical solutions to CRS and CUA teams for strategic planning and implementation of WASH activities, ensuring compliance with program design standards and best practices.
• Lead the technical design and review of specifications, Bill of Quantities (BoQs), and drawings to ensure that WASH infrastructure meets national and humanitarian standards.
• Offer on-site technical guidance and monitor rehabilitation works to ensure quality in water sources, energy systems, and heating points.
• Assist partners in procurement and construction monitoring to ensure timely and compliant implementation of WASH infrastructure activities.
• Develop and implement strategies and tools for WASH programming, integrating gender, protection, and disaster risk reduction.
• Advise on strategic planning and program design, ensuring alignment with donor priorities and CRS approaches.
• Contribute to business development efforts, including technical design for proposals and defining monitoring systems.
• Strengthen the capacity of staff and partners through training and mentoring.
• Promote knowledge management by collecting and analyzing program data and sharing lessons learned. 1
• Establish and maintain relationships with donors and peer organizations, participating in WASH coordination forums.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated application of technical principles in WASH and related disciplines, particularly in energy and mechanical engineering.
• Experience working with partner organizations on project management and capacity strengthening.
• Proven experience in business development and proposal writing in the WASH sector.
• Strong mentoring and training skills, with a focus on adult learning principles.
• Experience in program monitoring and evaluation, including data collection and analysis.
• Excellent relationship management skills and the ability to influence stakeholders across diverse settings.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and make sound judgments.
• Proficiency in MS Office and web conferencing applications.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Water Engineering, or Environmental Engineering is required. A Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.

Experience:
A minimum of eight years of relevant international experience in an advisory or management role, ideally with an international NGO. This should include at least three years of experience in WASH programming interventions and providing technical assistance for donor-funded projects.

Languages:
Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
This position is a short-term assignment lasting 6-8 weeks, from January to March, contingent on funding confirmation. The role may require up to 30% field travel within Ukraine, primarily to partner offices. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S. based staff, and benefits for candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment. The organization is committed to safeguarding program participants and expects adherence to its Code of Conduct.