Senior Technical Advisor (STA) Child Protection and Care System Reform

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established by the Bishops of the United States, CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries. The organization operates with a commitment to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS has a diverse workforce and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. The agency's mission is deeply rooted in its Catholic identity, and it prioritizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. CRS has a wide range of programs including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding, and employs a significant number of staff across various countries to implement these initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Senior Technical Advisor (STA) for Child Protection and Care System Reform will play a pivotal role in providing technical leadership and support in the areas of child protection, care system reform, and family strengthening. This position is crucial for ensuring that child protection and care reform are not only dedicated programmatic focuses but also cross-cutting priorities across all sectors of CRS's work. The STA will be responsible for developing strategies and approaches that advance CRS's child protection and care work, aligning with the organization's Vision 2030 and Goal 4, which aims for all children to reach their full developmental potential in safe and nurturing families. The role requires a strong emphasis on programming excellence at global, regional, and country program levels, ensuring that child protection initiatives are grounded in child rights principles and informed by global standards and frameworks.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The STA will lead the development of strategic plans to position CRS effectively within the child protection and care sector, ensuring that these plans promote both stand-alone child protection programming and care reform. Responsibilities include providing expert technical assistance to country programs, developing tools and guidance for child protection and care system strengthening, and ensuring quality implementation through robust monitoring and evaluation systems. The STA will design and oversee child protection programs aimed at preventing and responding to abuse, neglect, and violence against children, while also collaborating with various sectoral teams to integrate child protection risk mitigation into project designs. Additionally, the STA will lead capacity strengthening initiatives for staff and partners, contribute to business development efforts, and represent CRS at global forums to influence policies and practices in child protection and care reform.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in social work, child development, public health, social sciences, or a related field, with a PhD being a plus. A minimum of ten years of work experience in child protection and care reform is required, with progressive responsibilities ideally within an international NGO context. Candidates should have experience in designing and implementing child protection initiatives, as well as a deep understanding of the principles and concepts related to child protection and care reform. A proven track record in business development activities and the ability to strengthen the capacity of others through training and mentoring are also essential qualifications for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in relevant fields such as social work, child development, public health, or social sciences. A PhD is considered an advantage, indicating a higher level of expertise and knowledge in the field.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of relevant work experience, with at least five years spent in multiple countries or regions as a technical advisor or program manager. Candidates should have experience in child protection and care reform projects, particularly in low-resource contexts, and should demonstrate a strong understanding of the factors influencing residential care and alternative care models.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, while fluency in French or Spanish is considered desirable. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in the field of child protection and care reform.

Additional Notes:
This position may involve travel approximately 30% of the time, and candidates must be willing and able to travel as required. The role may also involve supervising consultants as needed. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates, reflecting its commitment to local engagement and capacity building.