Technical Associate 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 assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The agency's work encompasses various sectors, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The organization emphasizes the importance of integrity, collaboration, and personal responsibility among its staff, ensuring a workplace that fosters respect and accountability. CRS also prioritizes candidates from the regions in which it operates, reflecting its dedication to local engagement and support.

Job Overview:
As a Technical Associate II, also referred to as the Gestor Técnico Comercial de Proyectos de Agua Potable y Saneamiento, the individual will play a crucial role in identifying, promoting, and supporting investment opportunities in water and sanitation projects across rural, peri-urban, and small urban areas. This position requires a blend of technical and commercial skills, facilitating connections between Water and Sanitation Operators (OSAS) and financing mechanisms such as Azure Source Capital (ASC) and FIDEAGUA. The Technical Associate will provide basic technical assistance, validate project viability, and manage relationships with key stakeholders, including local banks, technical service providers, local governments, and international cooperation entities. The role is pivotal in driving the development of projects that are eligible for financing, enhancing local capacities, and promoting sustainable solutions in the water and sanitation sector.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The specific duties and responsibilities of the Technical Associate II include:

• Identification and Promotion of Projects: Conduct field visits to identify needs for improvement or expansion of water and sanitation services, engaging with technical service providers, real estate developers, and water associations. Promote the ASC | FIDEAGUA financing model to OSAS, local governments, and private sector stakeholders. Gather preliminary administrative and financial information about existing systems and operational conditions.
• Basic Technical Assistance to OSAS and PSTs: Support the review of designs, technical studies, economic validation, and system diagnostics. Facilitate the collection of technical, social, and financial information using digital tools like mWater. Provide guidance on operation, maintenance, and commercial management of water and sanitation services.
• Relationship Management with Key Stakeholders: Coordinate with local governments, the private sector, banks, technical service providers, and other ecosystem actors. Facilitate connections between OSAS and financial entities for project structuring. Participate in events, meetings, and sectoral coordination spaces related to water and sanitation.
• Support in Project Preparation for Financing: Assist OSAS in preparing technical and financial documentation. Ensure that projects meet eligibility criteria for financing. Support the structuring of investment proposals and business plans.
• Monitoring and Follow-up of Projects: Conduct technical and social follow-up visits to financed projects to systematize generated impacts. Identify administrative and operational risks, proposing corrective measures. Coordinate with CRS technical teams and local partners to ensure quality implementation.
• Documentation and Reporting: Prepare reports on project progress, challenges, and outcomes. Assist in systematizing best practices and lessons learned. Maintain a database of projects and related stakeholders using mWater and CRM tools.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Technical Associate II position include: - A degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, or related fields. - Additional training in commercial negotiation, sales, marketing, and financial sector knowledge is desirable. - A minimum of 3 years of experience in promoting financial products, sales, project structuring, or business development in sectors such as housing, potable water, hydraulic pumps, wastewater treatment, or individual sanitation. - Experience working in the field with rural communities, local governments, and the private sector. - Strong networking, negotiation, and influencing skills. - Solid understanding of the water and sanitation sector ecosystem in the metropolitan area of Guatemala. - Ability to develop and present clear, technically sound, and persuasive commercial pitches. - Teamwork skills with a focus on results and meeting commercial indicators. - A network of contacts within the financial sector, local governments, NGOs, or water and sanitation service providers is desirable. - Willingness to travel to various regions of the country, including rural and peri-urban areas. - Proficiency in digital tools such as MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and project management platforms. - A valid driver's license and experience driving 4x4 vehicles are required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a degree in relevant fields such as Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration, Finance, or Marketing. Additional training in areas such as commercial negotiation, sales, marketing, and financial evaluation is highly desirable. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary technical knowledge and skills to effectively manage and promote water and sanitation projects.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in promoting financial products, sales, project structuring, or business development within sectors related to housing, potable water, hydraulic pumps, wastewater treatment, or individual sanitation. Experience in fieldwork with rural communities, local governments, and the private sector is crucial, as is a strong ability to influence and negotiate effectively within the ecosystem of water and sanitation actors in Guatemala.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish, both written and spoken, is mandatory, with the ability to adapt technical language to rural and community contexts to facilitate understanding among diverse audiences. Intermediate proficiency in English (reading and writing) is desirable for understanding and developing technical documents, institutional reports, and occasional communication with international stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position requires a willingness to travel approximately 70% of the time for field activities and prospecting. The role is full-time and involves close collaboration with various stakeholders, including local governments, private sector entities, and technical service providers. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct of CRS and participate in safeguarding measures to protect program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse. CRS is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from candidates in the regions where it operates.