Technical Advisor II, Program Quality - Syria, Lebanon & Iraq (Remote)

Job Title: Technical Advisor II, Program QualityReports to: Head of Programming, Syria/ Lebanon/ IraqDepartment: Syria/Lebanon/Iraq Business Management UnitSalary Grade: 10

 

Job Summary

The Program Quality Technical Advisor II provides program quality support in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices across the Business Management Unit (BMU) to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the conflict-affected, poor and vulnerable. Your technical knowledge in program quality, grants management, and business development (BD) will support quality programming, responsible growth and positioning, and effective grants management across the emergency response, early recovery, and development portfolio. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Develop and update the CRS grants management tracker and prepare BD and funding overviews for internal audiences ensuring effective grants management.  
• Coordinate development of high-quality CRS progress and final reports to donors and ensure communication to donors is timely and aligned with requirements. 
• Provide program quality management support related to program start-up, implementation, close-out, and other key deliverables. When required, act as gap-filling for senior Program Mangers.
• In close coordination with the Head of Programming (HoP), BMU Country Representative (CR), Syria Country Manager and PMs, co-lead the updating of country-level program and resource mobilization strategies for emergency response and recovery for Syria, Lebanon and Iraq, and keep it updated over time reflecting changes in needs and gaps. 
• Keep abreast of contextual (i.e. emergency, internal displacement, climate risk) trends, multi-sectoral needs assessments, and key UN-led coordination meetings, and organize recurrent meetings with the program team to feedback key information. Identify information gaps and co-lead multi-sectoral assessments. 
• Contribute to BMU efforts to pre-position CRS for growth opportunities. Coordinate and lead the development of the technical design for large and/or complex proposals, including design workshops with CRS and partners’ program teams. Advise project teams on integrating donor strategies, priorities and technical requirements into CRS’ approach. Act as lead writer for proposals and develop other proposal annexes, as needed. 
• Work with appropriate staff to maintain data and produce external communication materials as needed on past performance and corporate capacity, in order to provide timely information for proposal submissions.
• 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.
• Contribute to capacity strengthening initiatives for BMU and partner staff through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curricula, conducting trainings and workshops, and mentoring and coaching.
• In close coordination with the assigned team, contribute to knowledge management and learning through assisting with measuring program impact, capturing and sharing lessons learned and best practices, and research and internal reports. Co-lead cross-program learning sessions and provide support in after action reviews and reflection events. 
• Support Syria Country Manager in establishing and maintaining relationships with donors, peer organizations, research, and other institutions. Where needed, 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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.
• 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 strategic, 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; Arabic language preferred. 

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 30%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Basic Qualifications

• Master’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, with at least three years experience in a developing country.
• Experience with grants management and project management, ideally with an international NGO.
• Previous experience providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is required.
• Experience in business development, project design and proposal development including technical writing.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation and training applying 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 and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.

 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Previous work experience in Syria, Lebanon and/or Iraq, or related contexts 
• Based in Syria, Lebanon or Iraq preferred
• Demonstrated experience utilizing diverse, proactive strategies to competitively position his/her organization for new funding and productive institutional relationships.
• Exceptional writer with expert command of English grammar and AP style. 
• Experience with Gulf donors, development banks, and/or Green Climate Fund are highly desirable.
• Knowledge of CRS programs, justice agenda and Catholic Social Teaching principles a plus. 

 

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.