Technical Advisor II, MEAL in Emergencies

NOTE: This is a remote position; CRS will only consider candidates who are based in countries where we have existing offices. 

Job Summary  

You will provide technical advice, guidance, and support to a wide range of program design and implementation issues with a focus on larger projects in the area of Humanitarian Response in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to regional and Country Program (CP) teams to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your technical knowledge, advice and guidance will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive and innovative MEAL activities in CRS emergency response programming are across the globe. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities 

• Contribute to the development and implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in Humanitarian Response that effectively engage partners, donors and governments. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
• Deploy rapidly as part of emergency responses to support funding proposals, design and implementation of MEAL systems, identification and definition of indicators, data collection tools, data visualization, learning, reporting, real time evaluations, after action reviews, and other MEAL activities. As needed, serve as MEAL lead during emergency responses.
• Provide technical support to regional and country program teams, remotely and on-site, in the design and implementation of MEAL systems, tools, and processes that support high-quality emergency responses.
• Support proposal development and emergency response design, including defining monitoring systems, indicators, and data collection approaches. Advise project teams on integrating donor strategies, priorities and technical requirements into CRS’ approach.
• Support country teams in the design, implementation and improvement of Emergency MEAL systems, digital data collection and reporting tools, and data use approaches that strengthen monitoring, accountability, decision making, and applied learning in emergency responses.
• Contribute to capacity strengthening initiatives in Humanitarian Response programming for staff and partner through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and workshops, and mentoring and coaching to CP and partner staff.
• Contribute knowledge management and applied learning by analyzing program data, documenting lessons learned and best practices, supporting reviews and evaluations, and preparing internal and external reports.

• Establish and maintain relationships with donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions. Participate in forums in Humanitarian Response to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.

  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Experience working with digital data collection systems, data quality assurance, data management, and visualization in humanitarian settings.
• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in Humanitarian Response. 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, knowledge-sharing networks.
• Experience in business development, project design and proposal development in Humanitarian Response, including technical writing.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation and training applying adult learning principles and practices, to support and mentor both CRS and partner staff.
• 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 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 analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Required Languages: English, French

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%, i.e., 6 months out of the year. Duration of deployments will generally be 1-3 months. Candidates should have the capacity to live and work in difficult environments. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: Some supervisory responsibilities may be assigned as needed during deployments

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, statistics, humanitarian response or other related field. 
• Minimum of eight years relevant international/humanitarian working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with minimum of three years working as a MEAL technical advisor or MEAL manager. Experience working overseas.
• Previous experience providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is required.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master's degree in international development, statistics, humanitarian response or other related field.
• Expertise with data collection software (CommCare, Kobo), statistical software (SAS, STATA, SPSS), and data visualization tools like PowerBI. 

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.

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.