Job Description

Job Title: Technical Advisor II - Emergency Response and Recovery - LACRO Regional Focal Point Reports to: HRD EPRT Director Department: HRD Salary Grade: 10

You will provide technical advice, guidance, and support on a wide range of program design and implementation issues, with a focus onEmergency Response and Recovery, in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.

You will support regional and Country Program (CP) teams to advance the delivery of high-quality programming for the poor and vulnerableAs the emergency focal point for country programs in the Latin America and Caribbean Region (LACRO), you will provide the following support, with a focus on LACRO:

• Rapid surge support for program quality, management, and leadership capacity for new and ongoing humanitarian responses;
• Guidance to CPs and partners on humanitarian funding opportunities and support for humanitarian proposal design and development, in coordination with regional teams and HRD sectoral technical advisors;
• Support for emergency program quality, management, knowledge management, capacity strengthening, and sharing, as requested, to ensure best practices and learning are shared across country programs and partners; and
• Application of a humanitarian lens to discussions on broader program quality initiatives within the region.

Your technical knowledge, advice, and guidance will contribute to the effectiveness, adaptability, and innovation of CRS’ Emergency Response and Recovery programming within the Region and globally.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and implementation of region and/or agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in Emergency Response and Recovery that effectively engage partners, donors and governments. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
• Provide technical solutions to regional and CP teams, remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and the application of program design and implementation standards, best practices, partnership principles, tools, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) approaches to ensure high-quality implementation. Take on acting emergency leadership roles, such as Emergency Coordinator or Head of Office, and support the set-up and/or management of emergency field offices, teams, and relief operations, as requested, during field deployments. Support may also be provided in other response functions, such as security, staffing, supply chain/logistics, finance, IT/communications, and administration, as needed.
• Contribute to regional and country program efforts to pre-position CRS for growth opportunities in Emergency Response and Recovery. Lead or contribute to the development of the technical design for large and/or complex proposals, including defining appropriate monitoring systems and indicators. Advise project teams on integrating donor strategies, priorities, and technical requirements into CRS’ approach.
• Contribute to capacity strengthening initiatives in Emergency Response and Recovery programming for staff and partners by supporting the identification of capacity gaps and technical assistance needs; helping develop learning and training strategies, agendas, and curricula; conducting trainings and workshops; and mentoring and coaching CP staff. Capacity strengthening approaches may include formal and on-the-job training, development or streamlining of operational policies and systems, and accompaniment of partners, as appropriate.
• Strengthen partnership approaches by working closely with local partners to improve technical quality and delivery.
• Contribute to knowledge management and learning by collecting and analyzing program data, evaluating strategic projects, assisting with measuring program impact, capturing and sharing lessons learned and best practices, and research and internal reports.
• Establish and maintain relationships with donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions. Participate in forums in Emergency Response and Recovery to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.
• Represent the agency and partners at humanitarian cluster, donor and coordination meetings in the field and at international cluster meetings, as requested.
• Promote health and wellbeing of CRS and partner emergency staff.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in International Development, International Relations, or related field required.
• Minimum of eight years relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with minimum of three years working for programming interventions in emergency response.
• Previous experience providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is required.

• Fluency in English, Spanish and French

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in International Development, International Relations, Disaster Response or a related field is an advantage.
• Experience working in LACRO region.
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles, standards, and systems, with specific knowledge of CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming and standards considered a plus.
• Knowledge of design requirements and regulations of major emergency donors, including the U.S. Government, EU/ECHO, and UN agencies.
• Highly proficient in security protocols and management of emergency programs in insecure environments.
• Ability to work with local partner organizations.
• Ability to maintain performance expectations and strong working relationships in diverse cultural contexts and psychologically and physically stressful environments.
• Practical knowledge and skills in information and communication technology (ICT), information management, data visualization, analysis, and management applications such as Power BI, SharePoint, and other ICT4D applications.
• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in risk management, accountability to affected populations, safe and dignified programming and safeguarding.
• Experience should include high-risk field contexts such as emergency programming in disaster and conflict zones, and successful start-up/management of large-scale asset transfer programs using various modalities (cash, voucher in-kind).

• Familiarity with operations management, including supply chain, HR, and finance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in Emergency Response and Recovery. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), web conferencing applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge-sharing networks.
• Experience in business development, project design and proposal development in Emergency Response and Recovery, including technical writing.
• Experience in and enthusiasm for mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training using adult learning principles and practices.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including applying data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.
• Excellent relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and secure buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographic and cultural settings.
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving, and systems-thinking skills, with the capacity to see the big picture and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented.

Required Languages Fluency, written and spoken, in English, Spanish, and French required.

Travel Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% of the time, equivalent to up to six months per year. The duration of a deployment will generally be three to eight weeks, depending on the needs of the country program. Candidates should have the capacity to live and work in difficult and stressful environments and serve wherever agency needs dictate.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

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. 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.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.