| Job Title: Senior Technical Advisor (STA), Program Quality | Reports to: Director, Global Awards and Project Support |
| Department: Global Awards and Project Support | Salary Grade: 12 |
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.
Job Summary:
As a member of the Global Awards and Project Support (GAPS) Senior Management Team, the Senior Technical Advisor (STA) for Program Quality (PQ) will support the Director of GAPS in the development and provisions of strategic direction, leadership, business development, project support and management of the overall award portfolio. Your scope would include but would not be limited to providing programmatic leadership for new business, leading project start-up, filling in for key project leadership vacancies, leading and overseeing project close outs, and supporting knowledge management needs for Global Awards. Ultimately, as STA for Program Quality you will provide just in time support for new and existing awards and support the strategic priorities of the team.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Portfolio Management
In collaboration with the Director of GAPS, support the strategic direction for current and future award portfolios.
Identify key gaps in resources, staffing, and/or general oversight within the portfolio and develop and implement corrective actions.
Contribute to and manage strategies to effectively coordinate and deploy short term technical assistance (STTA) for key awards.
Project Lifecycle Management
Lead project start-up activities and alignment with project goals and effective resource allocation.
Lead the development of high-quality project designs incorporating innovative approaches, project management standards, and MEAL methodologies.
Champion and implement project management standards at every stage of the project lifecycle, developing and promoting best practices across the global awards portfolio.
Lead project close-out activities in coordination with country programs, including final reporting, evaluation, and knowledge transfer.
Coordinate with global, regional, and country program operations to ensure effective project budgeting and resource stewardship.
For awards with limited or no support for core staffing; provide coordination and deployment of short-term technical assistance.
Team Development and Knowledge Management:
Support a collaborative and learning-oriented environment, fostering idea sharing and problem-solving.
Promote accountability, learning, and knowledge management by overseeing the application of MEAL policies and facilitating cross-functional learning and knowledge management.
Provide technical assistance and capacity building to project teams and partners in project management, MEAL, business development, and operational areas.
Support the development and implementation of key internal communications and knowledge management strategies.
Business Development and Partnerships:
Advise on the strategic direction for business development and support the GAPS Director to pursue new opportunities.
Provide input to the business development cycle for complex, strategic, and competitive growth opportunities, from intelligence gathering to proposal development and communications.
Identify, assess, and strengthen strategic partnerships to enhance project outcomes.
Fill in for key business development roles (i.e. coordination, technical lead, pricing, etc.) as appropriate and needed.
Required Languages – English Required, French or Spanish a plus.
Travel – Ability to travel internationally to low resource settings up to 25%.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Excellent strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams.
Coaching/mentoring skills.
Presentation and facilitation skills.
Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented.
Supervisory Responsibilities – As needed for duty assignments. The STA will supervise several global awards, which will be determined based on current need within the portfolio.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal –Director of Operations (Global Programs), Technical Advisors – PIQA, Project Support and Delivery, Project Management, FMRT, Project Directors from Global Awards, Regional Leadership, Country Teams
External – (as needed) Donor Offices, Implementing partners, Government Offices, Private Sector Stakeholders, Other Multi-Lateral and Bi-Lateral Partners, amongst others.
Basic Qualifications
Master’s degree in international development, International Relations, or relevant field. Commensurate experience may be accepted in lieu.
Minimum of 10 years’ work experience in a program management position with progressive responsibilities for an international organization.
Strong experience in project grants management for large and complex projects, including project design, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, etc., for projects funded by multiple public donors, including USAID.
Preferred Qualifications
Excellent English writing skills.
Extensive first-hand experience managing projects and supporting project managers/directors.
Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Experience working with Church partners as a plus.
Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching and mentoring senior program staff.
Experience and abilities in strengthening capacity - developing curricula and facilitating trainings.
Experience using MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge sharing networks.
Substantial experience with successful business development activities capturing significant public and private donor funding.
Experience working with senior and award level donor representatives in the management of complex and/or multi-country award mechanisms.
Experience coordinating across diverse business units including domestically and internationally.
Experience working with successful performance as Head of Programming, or equivalent position, at an international NGO.
Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
Agency Leadership Competencies:
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.
