CRS Technical Advisor II - MEAL in Emergencies

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's work encompasses various sectors, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency's mission is driven by a collaborative culture that values integrity, accountability, and respect for all individuals. CRS has a strong commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, ensuring that its processes and policies reflect this dedication. The organization welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and faiths who share its values and commitment to humanitarian service.

Job Overview:
The CRS Technical Advisor II - MEAL in Emergencies position is designed for a professional who will provide technical advice, guidance, and support on design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation issues, particularly focusing on larger projects in the area of Humanitarian Response. This role is crucial in ensuring that the programming aligns with CRS's quality principles, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. The advisor will work closely with regional and Country Program (CP) teams to enhance the delivery of high-quality programming aimed at assisting the poor and vulnerable populations. The advisor's technical expertise will play a significant role in shaping effective, adaptive, and innovative Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) activities within CRS's emergency response programming globally. The position requires a proactive approach to developing and implementing agency-wide strategies and tools that engage various stakeholders, including partners, donors, and governments, ensuring a cross-sectoral approach that integrates gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Advisor will be responsible for several key duties and responsibilities, including:

• Contributing to the development and implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in Humanitarian Response.
• Ensuring a cross-sectoral approach that integrates gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
• Rapidly deploying as part of emergency responses to support funding proposals and the design and implementation of MEAL systems.
• Identifying and defining indicators, developing data collection tools, and conducting data visualization and learning activities.
• Serving as the MEAL lead during emergency responses when necessary.
• Providing technical support to regional and country program teams, both remotely and on-site, in designing and implementing MEAL systems and tools.
• Supporting proposal development and emergency response design, including defining monitoring systems and data collection approaches.
• Advising project teams on integrating donor strategies and technical requirements into CRS’s approach.
• Supporting country teams in designing and improving Emergency MEAL systems and digital data collection tools. 1
• Contributing to capacity strengthening initiatives for staff and partners through training and mentoring. 1
• Analyzing program data, documenting lessons learned, and preparing internal and external reports. 1
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with donors and peer organizations, participating in forums to share best practices and promote CRS's work.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong set of qualifications, including:

• Experience working with digital data collection systems, data quality assurance, and data management in humanitarian settings.
• Demonstrated application of technical principles in Humanitarian Response.
• General knowledge of related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Proficiency in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and web conferencing applications.
• Experience in business development, project design, and proposal development in Humanitarian Response, including technical writing.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, and facilitating training using adult learning principles.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including data collection methodologies and data analysis.
• Strong networking skills and the ability to build relationships with donors and peer organizations.
• Excellent relationship management skills and the ability to influence and work with diverse individuals.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in international development, statistics, humanitarian response, or a related field is required. A Master's degree in a similar field is preferred and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of eight years of relevant international or humanitarian working experience in an advisory or management role, with progressive responsibilities. Ideally, candidates should have at least three years of experience specifically as a MEAL technical advisor or MEAL manager. Experience working overseas is also essential, along with a proven track record of providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English. Proficiency in French is considered a good to have, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in diverse environments.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote, and CRS will only consider candidates based in countries where they have existing offices. The role may require travel up to 50%, meaning candidates should be prepared to spend approximately six months of the year traveling, with deployments typically lasting between one to three months. Some supervisory responsibilities may be assigned during deployments. 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., benefits packages will be based on the country of employment. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and ensuring that all staff adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct.