Technical Advisor II, MEAL Surge Support

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

Job Summary 

The Technical Advisor II (TA II) will provide technical assistance, guidance and support in monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) at the regional and country levels, contributing periodically to global approaches. The TA II will provide a range of MEAL technical support based on need, including business development, start-up, implementation and close-out of development project, emergency responses, and global awards. The TA II’s MEAL remote and in country support will align with CRS program quality principles and standards and MEAL Policies and Procedures, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. The TA II’s expertise, advice and influence will contribute to the effectiveness and adaptability of CRS’ MEAL activities. The TA II will coordinate their support with Regional Focal Points for MEAL, sector MEAL TAs and other Program Quality and Humanitarian Response staff at the country, regional and global levels.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Provide MEAL technical assistance, remotely and in-country, to projects and country teams, including development or review of MEAL budgets, MEAL system design, data collection tool development, data analysis, learning agendas, and evaluations.   
• Support business development by contributing to country efforts to position CRS for strategic growth opportunities and providing technical MEAL guidance and inputs to proposal development and project design, including appropriate MEAL narratives, indicators and MEAL Plans integrating donor and CRS MEAL requirements into projects. 
• Support MEAL in humanitarian responses through deployment to emergency programs, establishment and management of MEAL systems for responses, design or review of tools and reports, real time evaluations, after action reviews, and MEAL inputs to humanitarian response proposals in coordination with country teams and HRD technical advisors. 
• Support MEAL for specific sectors as needed, such as social cohesion, WASH, and youth, through activities such as development of indicators, design of learning agendas, data visualization for use, and identification of evidence. 
• As needed, support MEAL activities in design of global awards and in their implementation on an interim basis. 
• Contribute to the customization and design of digital forms for data collection and the design of approaches for data visualization that facilitate use of data and quality reporting for development and humanitarian programming.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in MEAL that effectively engage partners, donors, and governments. 
• Contribute to capacity strengthening initiatives in MEAL for staff and partners by helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums; conducting trainings and workshops; and mentoring and coaching country MEAL staff. 
• Contribute to influence and scaling strategies, including systems analysis, evidence generation and MEAL approaches that contribute to influence, and measurement of influence and scaling progress. 
• Establish and maintain relationships with donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions. Participate in MEAL forums to learn and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in MEAL. General knowledge of program sectors. 
• Experience in business development, including MEAL components of project design and proposal development.
• 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.
• Accompaniment, mentoring, and coaching skills, with ability to recognize the capacities and solutions of partners, colleagues and system actors.  
• Experience in facilitation and training, applying adult learning principles and practices. 
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); digital data collection tools such as CommCare, KoBo or RedRose; Web Conferencing Applications; and strong understanding of information and budget management systems and knowledge-sharing networks.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, flexible and results-oriented.

Required Languages: Written and verbal fluency in English required. Knowledge of French, Spanish or Arabic is a major plus. 

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 40%. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree in international development, statistics, economics or other related field. 
• Minimum of eight years of work experience in international development and/or MEAL with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, including at least three years as a MEAL technical advisor and/or program manager. Experience working overseas. 
• Experience with project monitoring and evaluation using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, including development of indicators, development and application of data collection tools and methodologies, database development, data analysis, and data presentation.
• Previous experience providing technical assistance and contributing to successful proposals for external donor funding. 

• Experience working with both development and emergency programs. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree is a plus.
• Experience in the development and production of curricula, tools, evidence and other products to support MEAL.Demonstrated experience in transferring knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and informal methods.
• Experience and skills to represent the organization at meetings with donors, government, international NGOs, and local partners, with understanding of partnership principles.
• Expertise with statistical software and with 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.