Integrated Early Childhood Development 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 focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. The agency fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture that values the contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds and faiths, all united by a commitment to serve those in need. CRS also emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, ensuring that its processes reflect this commitment. The organization welcomes candidates from the regions in which it operates, and prioritizes local talent, while also considering expatriates based on the needs of the agency and the specific role.

Job Overview:
The Integrated Early Childhood Development Advisor II will serve as a subject matter expert, providing technical advice, guidance, and support to enhance child protection, care, and development systems in Malawi. This role is critical in the anticipated multi-county child development project aimed at strengthening national systems that protect vulnerable children and support families. The Advisor will leverage specialized technical expertise to facilitate project implementation, capacity development, and learning efforts, ultimately improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including government entities, civil society, and community organizations, to improve policies, practices, and service quality. The Advisor will also play a key role in monitoring and evaluating project effectiveness, ensuring that evidence-based practices are integrated into programming and that lessons learned are documented and shared.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Advisor will be responsible for several key functions: acting as the project’s subject matter expert for Integrated Childhood Development; providing technical advice and leadership in collaboration with global counterparts; offering technical assistance to strengthen systems serving children and families; supporting the development and implementation of relevant policies and standards; enhancing capacity and quality of implementation through coaching and training; ensuring integrated project delivery across technical areas; collaborating with the MEAL team to capture and utilize relevant data; monitoring technical quality and addressing risks; contributing to reporting and documentation; and participating in relevant working groups and networks to share knowledge and improve practices. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying challenges and recommending corrective actions, as well as a commitment to continuous improvement and learning.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree and demonstrate a strong working knowledge of child development and protection systems. Previous experience in multi-country development programs is essential, particularly in complex environments involving multiple partners and stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of managing projects, working with government and civil society, and applying technical knowledge to program implementation. Strong skills in facilitation, coaching, training, and capacity strengthening are also required, along with the ability to collaborate across technical areas and utilize program data for quality improvement and risk management.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required, with a Master’s degree preferred. The educational background should be relevant to child development, social work, public health, or a similar discipline that supports the functions of the role.

Experience:
A minimum of eight years of relevant work experience is required, particularly in departmental-specific areas of specialization. Candidates should have experience managing multiple projects and working with various stakeholders, including government, civil society, and community actors. Experience in applying technical knowledge to program implementation and in using data for program adaptation and quality improvement is also essential.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Chichewa is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, but English and Chichewa are the primary languages required for effective communication within the role.

Additional Notes:
The position may involve travel up to 25%. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits are based on the country of employment. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS’s Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies. The agency is committed to ensuring that all staff and program participants are protected from exploitation and abuse, and candidates must be legally eligible to work in Malawi.