Technical Advisor II - Child Protection and Care System Strengthening

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 dedicated to providing relief and development assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. CRS's work encompasses various sectors, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, ensuring that all staff adhere to a strict Code of Conduct. CRS values diversity and encourages individuals from marginalized backgrounds and people with disabilities to apply for positions within the organization. The agency's processes reflect its commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people, particularly those in vulnerable situations.

Job Overview:
The Technical Advisor II for Child Protection and Care System Strengthening will serve as a subject matter expert, providing essential technical advice, guidance, and support aimed at enhancing child protection, care, and development systems in Uganda. This role involves applying specialized technical expertise to support project implementation, strengthen systems, develop capacities, and facilitate learning efforts that ultimately improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families. The Advisor will play a crucial role in improving policies, practices, service quality, and fostering sustainable system changes through collaboration with various stakeholders, including government entities, civil society organizations, faith-based groups, and community actors. The position requires a proactive approach to ensure that project strategies and tools are aligned with current evidence and technical standards, tailored to the local context, and effectively address the needs of the target population.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Advisor II will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to: serving as the project’s subject matter expert on Child Protection and Care System Strengthening; providing technical guidance on child protection systems, care reform, case management, and social service workforce strengthening; offering technical assistance to enhance systems serving children and families in Uganda; supporting the development and implementation of relevant policies and standards at both national and subnational levels; strengthening the capacity of project teams and partners through coaching, training, and technical troubleshooting; ensuring integrated project delivery across various technical areas; collaborating with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) team to ensure data is effectively used to inform programming and improve practices; monitoring technical quality and addressing risks related to child protection and care system strengthening; contributing to reporting and documentation efforts; and participating in relevant working groups and networks to share knowledge and best practices.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, with a minimum of eight years of relevant work experience in the area of specialization. Previous experience managing multiple projects within a single department and working with government, civil society, faith-based, or community actors is essential. Candidates should demonstrate experience applying technical knowledge to program implementation, facilitating training and capacity strengthening, and using program data to identify gaps and manage risks. Strong time management skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in budget planning and reporting systems are also required. Additionally, candidates should be proficient in various computer software applications, including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required for this position. A Master’s degree is preferred and may enhance a candidate's qualifications. The educational background should align with the technical requirements of the role, focusing on child protection, social work, or related disciplines that provide the necessary knowledge and skills for effective program implementation and system strengthening.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of eight years of work experience in a relevant area of specialization. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing multiple projects and collaborating with various stakeholders, including government entities and civil society organizations. Experience in complex, multi-partner development programs is highly desirable, as is familiarity with national and subnational government structures and processes. Candidates should also demonstrate experience in applying technical knowledge to program implementation and capacity strengthening efforts.

Languages:
Strong written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context and the populations served by the project. Effective communication skills are essential for collaboration with diverse stakeholders and for the successful implementation of project activities.

Additional Notes:
This position is open to Ugandan nationals only, and candidates are encouraged to submit their applications by 5:00 PM on September 18, 202

• The role does not involve supervisory responsibilities, but candidates must be willing to travel up to 30% to project locations and field offices outside of Kampala. The recruitment process is contingent upon the successful award of the project, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and the agency prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.