Program Quality Technical Advisor 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 worldwide. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS engages in various programs, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS is dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and its processes reflect this commitment. The organization also prioritizes hiring candidates from the regions where it operates, ensuring that its workforce is representative of the communities it serves.

Job Overview:
The Program Quality Technical Advisor II plays a crucial role in providing program quality consultation and guidance in alignment with CRS program quality principles, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. This position is essential for advancing the delivery of high-quality programming to conflict-affected and vulnerable populations in Sudan. The advisor will leverage their technical expertise in program quality, grants management, and resource mobilization to support quality programming and responsible growth within the emergency response and recovery portfolio. The role involves close collaboration with country program leadership and project managers to implement the country strategy and resource mobilization plans, ensuring they are updated to reflect changing needs and gaps. The advisor will also be responsible for identifying communication needs and engagement opportunities to enhance CRS's thought leadership and competitive advantage in securing donor funding.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Program Quality Technical Advisor II include advancing the implementation of the country strategy and resource mobilization plans, keeping them updated based on contextual changes and multi-sectoral needs assessments. The advisor will organize recurrent meetings with the program team to share key information and identify strategic engagement opportunities with new and emerging donors. They will lead early positioning and capture work to strengthen CRS's competitive advantage and ensure alignment with donor priorities. The advisor will support the implementation of resource mobilization strategies, advise project teams on integrating donor strategies into CRS's approach, and coordinate technical design inputs for complex proposals. Additionally, the advisor will provide technical support for strategic planning, ensuring high-quality implementation of program design and standards. They will help integrate cross-sectoral approaches, including gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction, and collaborate with program managers and technical advisors to translate evaluation findings into external-facing products. The advisor will also contribute to capacity strengthening initiatives for CP staff, develop training strategies, conduct workshops, and support knowledge management and learning by measuring program impact and sharing best practices. They will maintain relationships with donors and peer organizations, participate in relevant forums, and contribute to communication materials for internal and external events. Finally, the advisor will provide program quality support related to program start-up, implementation, and close-out, and may act as a gap-filler for senior program managers when necessary.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations or a related field, along with a minimum of eight years of relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities. Previous experience in providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is essential. Preferred qualifications include a Master's Degree in International Relations or a related field, experience in an international NGO, and familiarity with grants management and project management. Candidates should also have experience in business development, project design, and proposal development, including technical writing, as well as mentoring and training experience based on adult learning principles. Knowledge of program monitoring and evaluation, including data collection methodologies and analysis, is also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations or a related field. A Master's Degree in a similar field is preferred and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of eight years of relevant international working experience, particularly in advisory or management roles with increasing responsibilities. Candidates should have a proven track record of providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding, demonstrating their capability to navigate complex program environments effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in Arabic is preferred, as it may enhance communication and engagement with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
The position may require up to 30% travel within Sudan. There are no supervisory responsibilities associated with this role. 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 are based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment for expatriates is 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 exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate will be expected to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct.