Advisor II, Award Management Advisor, World Bank/Multi-lateral Development Banks - (US Only)

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

NOTE: The above Pay Range only applies to applicants who perform the job within the US and to applicants classified by CRS as International Assignees.  Staff hired on local payroll would follow the respective Country pay range.  Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your anticipated work location during the candidate selection process.

Job Summary

The Advisor II, Award Management Advisor provides specialized full-cycle award management, project support, compliance, and learning services for CRS’ growing portfolio of World Bank-funded programs and World Bank-financed government contracts. The Advisor contributes to the opportunity assessment, award negotiation, project start-up, implementation support, compliance oversight, portfolio performance analysis, and institutional learning. The Advisor collaborates with colleagues across the organization to strengthen award management systems, improve compliance and project delivery practices, and enhance CRS' overall competitiveness and effectiveness in World Bank-funded programming. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities

Award Management and Compliance

• Advise CRS teams on the management and administration of World Bank-funded grants, government consultancy contracts, and other Multilateral Development Bank (MDB)-financed agreements throughout the award lifecycle.
• Research, interpret, and advise on World Bank regulations, procurement requirements, contractual obligations, reporting expectations, Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) requirements, and donor compliance standards.
• Support review, negotiation, interpretation, and administration of award and contract terms and conditions, identifying compliance and operational risks and recommending mitigation measures.
• Provide award management guidance and troubleshooting support to project teams to address implementation challenges, compliance concerns, audits, contractual issues, amendments, and closeout requirements.

Opportunity Capture and Business Development

• Support due diligence, risk assessments, and internal review processes for World Bank and MDB funding opportunities and contribute award management expertise during capture planning and proposal development.
• Collaborate with Business Development, Program Quality, Finance, and other stakeholders to support award negotiations and transition from opportunity pursuit to implementation.
• Advise project teams on start-up readiness, including implementation planning, staffing considerations, compliance processes, financial management requirements, coordination mechanisms, and risk management measures.
• Collaborate with Country Programs and global support functions to promote effective project implementation and fulfillment of contractual obligations.

Portfolio Performance, Knowledge Management and Learning

• Monitor and analyze award performance, compliance trends, implementation challenges, operational risks, and spending patterns, recommending corrective actions and improvement opportunities as appropriate.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of CRS policies, procedures, templates, systems, and tools related to World Bank-funded awards, contracts, and project implementation.
• Collaborate with colleagues across CRS to capture, maintain, and disseminate institutional knowledge, lessons learned, and good practices from World Bank-funded programs.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing initiatives, communities of practice, and cross-country learning to strengthen organizational effectiveness and competitiveness in World Bank-funded programming.

Capacity Strengthening and Internal Coordination

• Design and deliver training, mentoring, coaching, and capacity-strengthening initiatives on World Bank award management, compliance, procurement, project implementation, and risk management.
• Support onboarding and orientation of project teams implementing World Bank-funded awards and contracts and promote consistent application of award management standards and best practices.
• Serve as the primary resource to Country Programs, Regional Offices, and global support functions, fostering collaboration and strengthening CRS institutional capacity in World Bank-funded programming.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of institutional donor award management principles and practices.
• Ability to interpret and apply award terms, donor regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of World Bank-funded project management, procurement, and compliance principles.
• Strong project management, coordination, and organizational skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong facilitation, training, and capacity-strengthening skills.
• Ability to synthesize lessons learned and translate them into practical guidance and tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively across geographically dispersed and multicultural teams.
• Strong customer service orientation and commitment to accompaniment.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, web-conferencing platforms, enterprise systems, and knowledge management tools.

Required Languages: Fluency in English required. Working proficiency in French, Spanish, or Arabic is highly desirable.

Travel: Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in International Development, Business Administration, Public Administration, International Relations, Finance, Law, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience supporting donor-funded awards, grants, contracts, or project management functions in an international development context.
• Demonstrated experience managing or supporting World Bank and other institutional donor-funded awards.
• Experience providing compliance, operational, financial, contract, or project support to complex development programs.
• Familiarity with World Bank Procurement Regulations, ESF, and Investment Project Financing (IPF) mechanisms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant discipline.
• Experience supporting World Bank-funded projects, government consultancy contracts, or other multilateral development bank-funded programs.
• Experience supporting start-up and implementation of large, multi-country, or multi-partner projects.
• Experience with contract negotiation, subcontract management, and audit compliance.
• Experience working in developing-country contexts.
• Experience supporting knowledge management and organizational learning initiatives.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled productivity tools

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.