Technical Advisor - Agriculture, Livelihoods and Landscapes

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development services without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peace-building. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to service.

Job Overview:
The Technical Advisor for Agriculture, Livelihoods and Landscapes will play a crucial role in providing technical advice and support for the FILMA project and other CRS activities within the Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Landscapes portfolio. This position is essential for ensuring that programming aligns with CRS's quality principles, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. The advisor will work closely with Country Program teams to enhance the effectiveness and innovation of CRS's programming aimed at supporting the poor and vulnerable. The role involves frequent travel to the field and requires a strong understanding of agricultural practices and livelihoods strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the Technical Advisor include supporting the development and implementation of agency-wide strategies and best practices in Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Landscapes. The advisor will engage with partners, donors, and government entities to ensure a cross-sectoral approach that integrates gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction. Responsibilities also include providing technical solutions for strategic planning, leading the development of technical designs for proposals, advising project teams on donor strategies, and supporting capacity strengthening initiatives for staff and partners. The advisor will collect and analyze program data, share lessons learned, and maintain relationships with various stakeholders to promote CRS's work in the sector. Additionally, the advisor will provide technical guidance for activities that support smallholder farmers and participate in regional and global discussions related to agriculture and livelihoods.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in agriculture, livelihoods, rural development, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience is required, ideally with an international NGO, including at least two years of field-based experience in Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Landscapes. Candidates should have knowledge of technical principles in these areas, experience in project design and proposal development, and familiarity with capacity strengthening best practices. Strong networking skills and an understanding of partnership principles are also essential.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a Master’s degree in agriculture, livelihoods, rural development, or a closely related field. This advanced degree is crucial for understanding the complexities of agricultural practices and livelihoods strategies necessary for effective program implementation.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, with progressive responsibilities in the field of agriculture and livelihoods. Candidates should have at least two years of field-based experience, ideally within an international NGO context, to ensure they are well-versed in the challenges and opportunities present in these sectors.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English. Proficiency in English is essential for effective communication with stakeholders, partners, and team members. Additional language skills may be considered an asset, particularly if they relate to the local context in which CRS operates.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Tamale, Ghana, and involves frequent travel to field locations, with travel expected to be up to 30%. CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where it operates. The organization is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from exploitation and abuse, and all candidates must adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages qualified female candidates to apply.