Note: Applicants are expected to work within the following time zone range – UTC+2 through UTC+3
Job Summary
The Program Quality Technical Advisor II provides program quality consultation and guidance in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices across the Ethiopia and Uganda Country Programs (CPs), to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the conflict-affected, poor and vulnerable. The candidate’s technical knowledge in program quality, grants management, and resource mobilization supports quality programming, responsible growth, and effective positioning across the emergency response and recovery portfolio.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
- In close coordination with the CP leadership and PMs, advance the implementation of the country strategy and associated resource mobilization plans in Ethiopia and Uganda, and keep it updated over time reflecting changes in needs and gaps.
- Keep abreast of contextual changes, multi-sectoral needs assessments, in-country coordination mechanisms, and key bilateral and multilateral engagement efforts, and organize recurrent meetings with the program team to feedback key information. Identify communication needs and engagement opportunities, to position CRS’ thought leadership.
- Identifying and pursuing strategic engagement opportunities with new and emerging donors. Lead early positioning and capture work to strengthen CRS’ competitive advantage and ensure alignment with donor priorities.
- Support the implementation of resource mobilization strategies that anticipate donor trends and requirements.
- Advise project teams on integrating donor strategies and technical priorities into CRS’ approach. Coordinate technical design inputs for large and/or complex proposals. Lead design processes and engage in proposal development.
- Provide technical support, remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and how to best apply program design and implementation standards, best practices, partnership principles, tools, and M&E, ensuring high-quality implementation. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
- Bridge resource mobilization, MEAL, and communications functions to better capture, communicate and disseminate CRS’ work. Collaborate with program managers relevant technical advisors (country and global) to translate evaluation findings, MEL data, and learning into external ‑facing products.
- Advise on and support multi-stakeholder engagement efforts by preparing technical briefs, capacity statements, and materials that reflect CRS’ contributions and thought leadership. Strengthen feedback loops between implementation, learning, influence and positioning.
- Contribute to capacity strengthening initiatives for CP staff. Develop learning and training strategies, agendas/curricula, conduct trainings and workshops, and mentor/coach to CP staff.
- Contribute to knowledge management and learning by measuring program impact, capturing and sharing lessons learned and best practices, and research and internal reports. Co-lead cross-program learning sessions and support Program Managers in after action reviews and reflection events.
- Support the establishment and maintenance of relationships with donors, peer organizations, research, and other institutions. Participate in relevant forums to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work. Contribute to communication materials for internal and external communications and events.
- Provide program quality support to Program Managers related to program start-up, implementation, close-out, and other key deliverables. When required, act as gap-filling for senior Program Managers.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations or a related field.
- Minimum of eight years relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities.
- Previous experience providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's Degree in International Relations or a related field.
- Experience in an international NGO.
- Experience with grants management and project management, in an international NGO.
- Experience in business development, project design and proposal development including technical writing.
- Experience mentoring, coaching, and training through adult learning principles and practices.
- Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including applying data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Excellent relationship management skills. Ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
- Strong networking skills and ability to build relationships with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.
- Ability to apply technical principles and concepts. General knowledge of related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
- Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgments.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills.
- Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented mindset.
- Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.
Required Languages: English fluency (written and verbal) is required.
Travel: Must be able to travel up to 30% travel within Ethiopia, Uganda and Eastern/Southern Africa
Supervisory Responsibilities: No
Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
- Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
- Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
- Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
- Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
- Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
Agency Leadership Competencies:
- Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
- Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
- Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
What we offer
CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Salary and benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role. CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
Organization context
General Requirements
CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements. All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.
CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.
