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 organization focuses on various areas including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it promotes equal employment opportunities, welcoming individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values.

Job Overview:
The Technical Associate II, also known as Gestor Técnico Comercial de Proyectos de Agua Potable y Saneamiento, will play a crucial role in the Azure Water Finance Initiative. This position is responsible for identifying, promoting, and supporting investment opportunities in water and sanitation projects in rural, peri-urban, and small urban areas. The role requires a blend of technical and commercial skills to facilitate connections between water and sanitation operators (OSAS) and financing mechanisms like Azure Source Capital (ASC) and FIDEAGUA. The Technical Associate will provide basic technical assistance, validate project viability, and manage relationships with key stakeholders in the ecosystem, including local banks, technical service providers, and government entities. This position is essential for driving the development of projects 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, promote ASC | FIDEAGUA financing models to OSAS, local governments, and the private sector, and gather preliminary administrative and financial information about existing systems.
• 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.
• Management of Relationships 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 files, verify project eligibility for financing, and 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, and propose corrective measures. Coordinate with CRS technical teams and local partners to ensure quality implementation.
• Documentation and Reporting: Prepare reports on project progress, challenges, and results, support the systematization of best practices and lessons learned, and maintain a database of projects and related actors using mWater and CRM tools.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a combination of educational qualifications and skills, including: - Professional fluency in Spanish, both written and spoken, with the ability to adapt technical language to rural and community contexts. - Intermediate level of English for reading and writing, desirable for understanding technical documents and occasional communication with international stakeholders. - Willingness to travel approximately 70% of the time for field activities and prospecting. - Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including local banks, governments, and technical service providers. - Proficiency in digital tools such as MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and project management platforms. - Valid driver's license and experience driving 4x4 vehicles.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have 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 topics, as well as project evaluation, sustainable development, or climate financing, is desirable.

Experience:
A minimum of 3 years of experience in promoting financial products, sales, marketing, project structuring, or business development in sectors such as housing, potable water, hydraulic pumps, wastewater treatment plants, or individual sanitation. Experience working in the field with rural communities, local governments, and the private sector is essential. Candidates should demonstrate strong networking and negotiation skills, as well as a solid understanding of the water and sanitation sector ecosystem in the metropolitan area of Guatemala.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, with professional proficiency required for effective communication. Intermediate English is desirable for reading and writing technical documents and reports, as well as for occasional communication with international stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve significant travel within Guatemala, particularly to rural and peri-urban areas. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse, and the selected candidate will be expected to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct. The recruitment process reflects CRS's commitment to equal employment opportunities and safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals.