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, 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. CRS has a collaborative, mission-driven culture that emphasizes the importance of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. The agency welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to humanitarian work. CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where it operates, reflecting its dedication to local engagement and community empowerment.

Job Overview:
The Program Quality Technical Advisor II is responsible for providing program quality consultation and guidance in accordance with CRS program quality principles, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. This role is crucial for advancing the delivery of high-quality programming to conflict-affected and vulnerable populations in the Ethiopia and Uganda Country Programs. The advisor will leverage their technical expertise in program quality, grants management, and resource mobilization to support effective programming and responsible growth within the emergency response and recovery portfolio. The position requires close collaboration with country program leadership and project managers to implement the country strategy and resource mobilization plans, ensuring they are responsive to evolving needs and gaps. The advisor will also play a key role in identifying strategic engagement opportunities with donors and will lead efforts to strengthen CRS's competitive advantage in securing funding for programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Quality Technical Advisor II will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to: advancing the implementation of country strategies and resource mobilization plans; staying informed about contextual changes and multi-sectoral needs assessments; organizing meetings with program teams to share key information; identifying communication needs and engagement opportunities; leading early positioning and capture work to align with donor priorities; advising project teams on integrating donor strategies into CRS's approach; coordinating technical design inputs for complex proposals; providing technical support for strategic planning and program design; ensuring high-quality implementation through best practices; bridging resource mobilization, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL), and communications functions; developing training strategies and conducting workshops; contributing to knowledge management and learning; establishing relationships with donors and peer organizations; and providing program quality support related to program start-up, implementation, and close-out processes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess 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, as well as mentoring and training experience based on adult learning principles.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations or a related field. A Master’s Degree in a similar field is preferred and may enhance a 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 in providing technical assistance and developing proposals for donor funding, as well as experience in program monitoring and evaluation.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position may require travel up to 30% within Ethiopia, Uganda, and Eastern/Southern Africa. The role does not have supervisory responsibilities. 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., salary and benefits are based on the country of employment. The successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and participate in safeguarding initiatives to protect program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse. The job description is not exhaustive and may evolve as needed.