Senior Technical Advisor (STA)

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 welcomes staff from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The organization has a collaborative, mission-driven culture aimed at improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Job Overview:
The Senior Technical Advisor (STA) plays a crucial role in the business development of innovative finance and climate finance transactions on a global scale, aligning with CRS' mission to deliver sustainable solutions to impoverished and vulnerable populations. The STA is responsible for managing the entire transaction process, which includes identifying new opportunities, developing partnerships, structuring financial and capital arrangements, designing innovative initiatives, coordinating with internal stakeholders, and overseeing documentation and communication throughout the execution phase. This position requires leadership across all CRS sectors, facilitating cross-agency teams that may include country colleagues, business development leads, technical experts, legal and finance teams, depending on the specific transaction. The STA will engage in various innovative finance structures such as debt swaps, performance payments, blended capital, carbon credits, and impact investments, ensuring that CRS remains at the forefront of innovative finance and climate finance initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The STA will lead resource mobilization efforts in innovative finance and climate finance, collaborating closely with teams from the Global Resource Engagement and Mobilization (G-REM), Climate Finance Support Unit (CFSU), and regional and country teams. Key responsibilities include identifying new resource opportunities by understanding the needs of institutional and private donors, supporting regional and country leads in identifying opportunities for blended finance or climate finance structures, and developing new partnerships and funding opportunities. The STA will provide technical guidance in proposal development and project design, ensuring innovative programming solutions and technical excellence. Additionally, the STA will represent CRS at global forums, UN meetings, and major donor forums to advocate for CRS' work in innovative and climate finance, while also networking with relevant organizations to enhance CRS' profile and impact in these areas.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in finance, economics, business administration, or a related field. A minimum of ten years of work experience in blended finance, climate finance, or a related area is required, with progressive responsibilities ideally in an international NGO or financial institution. Experience working overseas in multiple regions is preferred, along with a proven track record in resource mobilization and managing innovative finance mechanisms in development contexts. Candidates should also have experience working in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams and demonstrate the ability to represent the organization at high-level meetings with donors, government officials, and local partners.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Master's degree in finance, economics, business administration, or a related field. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively engage in innovative finance and climate finance transactions.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least ten years of relevant work experience, particularly in blended finance and climate finance. This experience should include progressive responsibilities and ideally be within an international NGO or financial institution. Candidates should also have experience working in diverse geographical regions and contexts, demonstrating their ability to adapt and thrive in various environments.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Spanish or French is considered a valuable asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with a broader range of stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The position may require travel up to 25% of the time. 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., salary and benefits packages will be based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment for expatriate candidates will be informed by a term limit based on the job type and level, as well as the agency's needs. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and successful candidates are expected to adhere to CRS' Code of Conduct.