DRR-CCA MEAL-Learning Technical Advisor I, Asia

Note: This is a remote position, with preference for candidates based in Asia; CRS will only consider candidates who are based in countries where we have existing offices. CRS does not sponsor visas for telecommuting employees.”

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:

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning Technical Advisor I – Learning (MEAL TA Learning) will provide MEAL technical leadership and support to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) program design and implementation in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to Country Program (CP) teams to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. This includes support to a multi-country DRR project in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste. Your MEAL learning-focused advice, knowledge, and support will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive, and innovative CRS’ programming is in ASIA and across the globe.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Support the development and contribute to the implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in DRR-CCA MEAL that effectively engage partners, donors, and governments. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, protection mainstreaming, disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation.
• Lead collation of knowledge related to DRR-CCA indicators and best practice and support strengthening of DRR-CCA indicator measurement capabilities.
• Champion the development of DRR-CCA program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications for DRR-CCA projects across the region and globally. Lead learning initiatives, produce learning pieces and disseminate learning on occasions. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Promote the application of learning to improve program quality and to strengthen agency influence among external stakeholders. Ensure integration of MEAL-related innovations and best practices.
• Collect and analyze DRR-CCA program data, capture and share lessons learned and best practices for specific projects to facilitate improvements in decision-making and contribute to the Asia DRR-CCA learning agenda and CP development of DRR-CCA relevant learning agendas.
• Lead DRR-CCA related evaluations and other learning initiatives, including reflections on Theory of Change and identification and documentation of lessons learned for future projects through After Action Reviews, Midterm Reviews and Final Evaluations.
• Support capacity strengthening initiatives in DRR-CCA programming for MEAL staff and partners through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and workshops, and coaching.
• Contribute to, and in some cases lead, the development of the learning portions of the technical design for DRR-CCA focused proposals and integration. Support the process of preparation, design, submission and approval of project concepts and full-fledged proposals. As needed, act as a technical writer for MEAL on proposal development teams. Advise project teams on integrating donor MEAL strategies, priorities and technical requirements into CRS’ approach.
• Contribute to maintaining relationships with donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions, participate in internal and external DRR-CCA and MEAL forums to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.

Required Languages – Fluency in English

Work Conditions/Environment Conditions: This is a remote position; CRS will give preference to candidates who are based in countries within Asia where we have existing offices. CRS does not sponsor visas for remote employees.

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

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships: DRR-CCA Regional Technical Advisor, MEAL Regional Technical Advisor

Internal: Heads of Programs, Chiefs of Party, DRR-CCA or MEAL Program Managers, DRR-CCA or MEAL Technical Advisors; MEAL Senior Project Officers

External: Partner organizations, other development actors

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Strong 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 ability to work in a virtual environment, leading events, meetings and training in virtual platform
• Good strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Good technical writing skills
• Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in International Development , International Relations or in the field of MEAL required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of three years relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with minimum of two years relevant field-based experience in MEAL within DRR-CCA programs or projects.
• Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in MEAL. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience in project design and proposal development. Experience in writing content for proposals.
• Knowledge of capacity strengthening best practices.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation and analysis.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.
• Experience with associated MEAL for the DRR, CCA, or Natural Resource Management (NRM) sectors.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• 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.

MEAL Competencies (for CRS MEAL Program Staff)

Each staff member in this position is expected to have solid knowledge and ability and can apply the following competencies with minimal or no guidance, in the full range of typical situations, while requiring guidance to handle novel or more complex situations

· MEAL in Design

· Monitoring

· Accountability

· Evaluation

· Learning

· Analysis and Critical Thinking

· ICT4MEAL

· Management in MEAL

Each staff member in this position is expected to have advanced knowledge and ability and can apply the following competencies in new or complex situations. And guides other professionals:

· Learning

· Analysis and Critical Thinking

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. 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.

Disclaimer:This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.

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.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer