Gestor de Riesgo y Desarrollo Local

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to provide relief and development services, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, focusing on saving, protecting, and transforming lives in need, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. The organization is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS's work encompasses various sectors, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization employs a diverse workforce and emphasizes the importance of integrity, accountability, and community engagement in its operations.

Job Overview:
The position of Gestor de Riesgo y Desarrollo Local involves a multifaceted approach to disaster risk reduction and local development. The role requires the individual to analyze and connect community disaster risk reduction plans to municipal plans, promoting systemic development within the four municipalities of the Chortí area. The incumbent will engage with municipal authorities to institutionalize comprehensive disaster risk management, ensuring that local governments prioritize investments in risk reduction. This position also entails representing CRS at relevant events, promoting risk reduction indicators, and supporting the design and implementation of strategies that enhance community ownership and sustainability of initiatives. The role is critical in ensuring that local communities are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to manage risks effectively, thereby fostering resilience and sustainable development.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Systemic Development: Analyze and link community disaster risk reduction plans to municipal plans, promoting the elevation of municipal risk management offices. Participate in advocacy efforts to institutionalize disaster risk management at municipal and departmental levels. Develop plans to influence municipal leaders to invest in disaster risk management initiatives. Represent CRS in relevant events and support technical initiatives related to the project. Promote disaster risk reduction indicators to strengthen institutional and technical capacities in municipalities. Assist in designing and implementing influence strategies at the municipal level. Establish evaluation parameters for community disaster risk reduction networks (COLRED) based on their organization and performance.
• Project Management and Technical Support: Ensure the operational functionality of COLRED and its integration into the CONRED system. Advocate for the inclusion of risk prevention in the curricula of local economic activities. Coordinate community efforts to utilize early warning tools for drought, enabling producers to make informed decisions based on climatic information. Ensure municipal investment in the CONRED system, fostering a culture of risk prevention and prioritizing community development plans in the Chortí area. Establish the CONRED system across 11 municipalities in the Chiquimula department as a model for risk management.
• Local Development and Community Ownership: Design participatory strategies to enhance community ownership and sustainability of initiatives. Ensure the functionality and accreditation of COLRED structures to meet municipal demands. Promote citizen participation to improve community organization and develop leadership among youth and women.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL): Ensure timely information flow to the MEAL technical team and compliance with MEAL policies. Promote an information system for technical actions related to CONRED and allied institutions. Contribute to adaptive management through data analysis and strategic recommendations. Ensure the production of high-quality periodic reports for CRS and donors.
• Articulation of the CONRED System: Facilitate dialogue among municipal, private, and community actors to strengthen the CONRED system and its components. Conduct monthly budget progress reviews with CRS technical and administrative staff. Coordinate updates to information systems and verification methods. Review and support donor reports before submission to CRS. Provide field support for various productive and socioeconomic activities. Develop risk management strategies in collaboration with municipalities and territorial actors, including safe programming policies and feedback mechanisms.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in Administration, Social Work, Sociology, International Development, Agronomy, or a related field. A minimum of three years of professional experience in supporting disaster risk management projects and local leadership is required. Experience in partnerships and inter-institutional relations in development or emergency projects is essential. Familiarity with public and private sector actors is necessary. Additional education may substitute for experience, and additional experience may substitute for education. Proficiency in training methodologies and knowledge transfer to adult populations, particularly in rural areas, is expected. Candidates should be skilled in MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), web conferencing tools, and information management systems. A valid driver's license for a four-wheel vehicle is required.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in relevant fields such as Administration, Social Work, Sociology, International Development, Agronomy, or related areas is essential. Additional education or certifications in disaster risk management or community development may be advantageous and could substitute for experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience, particularly in disaster risk management and local leadership support. Candidates should have experience working with public and private sector stakeholders and in inter-institutional partnerships for development or emergency projects. Experience in training methodologies and knowledge transfer to adult populations, especially in rural contexts, is also necessary.

Languages:
While proficiency in English is not mandatory, it is considered a desirable skill. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in Spanish, as it is the primary language of operation in Guatemala.

Additional Notes:
The position may require approximately 80% travel time. CRS is an equal opportunity employer and prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies, ensuring the protection of program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse. The job description is not exhaustive and may evolve as needed.