Technical Advisor - Cash and Market-Based Programming

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, focusing on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to serving the poor and vulnerable without regard to race, religion, or nationality, and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and its processes reflect this commitment. The agency has a collaborative, mission-driven culture aimed at improving lives globally, and it prioritizes candidates from the regions where it operates, ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Job Overview:
The Technical Advisor position is embedded within the Humanitarian Response Department (HRD) Market-based Rapid Response and Recovery (MBRRR) Team. This role is crucial for providing technical advice and support on design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation issues related to Cash & Markets, as well as security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security & Livelihoods. The advisor will work closely with Country Program (CP) teams and partners to ensure high-quality humanitarian assistance programming is delivered to those impacted by crises. The position requires a strong understanding of cash readiness efforts, enabling Country Programs and partners to effectively design, launch, and scale cash and voucher assistance. The advisor will contribute to the development of agency-wide strategies and tools, ensuring that programming is adaptive, innovative, and aligned with donor guidelines and industry best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Advisor will support the development and implementation of strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in Cash and Market-Based Programming. Key responsibilities include ensuring a cross-sectoral approach that integrates gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction. The advisor will provide programmatic and operational technical solutions to CP teams, both remotely and on-site, to ensure high-quality implementation. They will contribute to the technical design of proposals, support project concept preparation, and advise on integrating donor strategies into CRS’ approach. Additionally, the advisor will lead capacity strengthening initiatives for staff and partners, conduct trainings, and analyze program data to capture lessons learned. They will maintain relationships with donors and peer organizations, participate in forums, and support Country Programs in strengthening cash readiness through targeted technical support.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's Degree in humanitarian assistance, social policy, economics, or a related field. A minimum of three years of relevant work experience is required, with at least two years in emergency response and field-based experience in cash and market-based programming. The ideal candidate will have experience in designing cash and voucher assistance programs, particularly for US Government funding, and knowledge of multiple CVA delivery mechanisms. Experience with e-voucher platforms and conducting market assessments is highly desirable. Strong networking skills and an understanding of partnership principles are also essential.

Educational Background:
A Master's Degree in a relevant field such as humanitarian assistance, social policy, or economics is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of cash and market-based programming and for effectively contributing to the development of strategies and proposals.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant work experience, ideally with an international NGO. Candidates should have at least two years of experience in emergency response and field-based work specifically related to cash and market-based programming. Experience in innovative project design for rapid response in diverse contexts is also beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this role. Proficiency in additional languages such as French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic is highly desired, as it enhances communication with diverse stakeholders and beneficiaries.

Additional Notes:
This is a remote position with a preference for candidates based in Africa, particularly in countries where CRS has existing offices. CRS does not sponsor visas for remote employees. The role may require travel up to 50%, including to emergency situations, and candidates must be willing to travel at short notice. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS’ Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies.