Technical Advisor I- Emergencies, Uganda (Telecommuter)

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.

Background

CRS has worked in Uganda since 1965, initially providing emergency assistance to Sudanese refugees living in the north. Over the years, CRS has expanded its programming to also address development needs in western, central and eastern Uganda. CRS’ projects in Uganda currently include emergency response and recovery, agriculture, health, microfinance, peacebuilding and youth. CRS Uganda implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including the Catholic Church, other faith-based organizations and community entities for maximum impact and sustainability.

Uganda is currently hosting a population of around 1.3 million refugees, hailing from South Sudan, the DRC, and Burundi. Uganda has one of the world’s most accepting and progressive policies with regards to refugees, providing a welcome and safe environment, allowing access to social services, land, and right to work. Uganda currently hosts around 1 million South Sudanese refugees, as a result of fighting between government and opposition forces since independence in 2011. Uganda also hosts over 200,000 refugees from the DRC, with the number currently increasing as a result of persistent insecurity over the border. Refugees are hosted in areas called “settlements”, where they live in relative peace and harmony with nearby host communities, sharing schools, clinics, and other services.

In the last years, CRS has expanded its successful Emergency Response and Recovery Program beyond the refugee response in Bidibidi and Kyangwali settlements to respond to natural disasters in non-refugee hosting districts, supporting over 13,000 Ugandans to recover with market-based programming. CRS also works closely with disaster management committees in Mt. Elgon sub-region to develop and implement action plans that mitigate the effects of natural disasters in the region. In addition, CRS is working with district health department staff in Karamoja and Tororo to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates in hard-to-reach areas.

CRS is the co-chair to the national Shelter and Settlements technical working group together with UNHCR and the Office of the Prime Minister, providing a unique opportunity to harness Ugandan experiences in providing refugees with safe, durable and appropriate shelter and settlement solutions. In addition, together with FAO and WFP, CRS co-chairs the national Food Security, Livelihoods and Nutrition Thematic Working Group.

Job Summary:

The Technical Advisor I – Emergencies will provide technical advice and support to a range of program design and implementation issues in the area of Uganda’s emergency response activities in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practice. His/Her advice, knowledge, and support will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive and innovative CRS’ Uganda’s emergency programming is across the country. She/he will help with the mobilization of resources for the ERRR program, supporting and at times leading business development proposals for emergency projects, as a proposal coordinator or writer. The Technical Advisor I – Emergencies’ skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality emergency response programming, deliberate learning, and continuously works towards improving the impact of the work they do to improve the lives of the most vulnerable.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the development and contribute to the implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools and best practices in emergency response that effectively engage partners, donors, and governments. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
• Provide technical solutions to CP emergency teams, remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and how to best apply standards, best practices, partnership principles, tools and M&E, helping to ensure high-quality implementation.
• Contribute to, and in some cases lead, the development of the technical design for proposals. Support the process of preparation, design, submission and approval of project concepts and full-fledged proposals. As needed, act as a technical writer on proposal development teams. Advise project teams on integrating donor strategies, priorities and technical requirements into CRS’ approach.
• Support with the creation of high-quality reports, success stories and other documentation of CRS Uganda’s emergency response work.
• Support capacity strengthening initiatives in emergency response programming for staff and partners through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and workshops, and coaching.
• Collect and analyze program data, capture and share lessons learned and best practices for specific projects to facilitate improvements in decision-making and contribute to the emergency response learning agenda.
• Contribute to maintaining relationships with donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions, participate in forums in the area of emergency response to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.
• Where appropriate, represent CRS in working group meetings and national events.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgments.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups. Ability to influence and relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports and proposals.
• Ability to work independently and drive agendas and manage activities with little support

Required/Desired Foreign Language: Written and spoken fluency in English is required.

Travel Required: 25% travel to the field offices and emergency response projects in Uganda

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Senior Program Manager (II) Emergencies, Program Quality Manager, CRS Uganda Head of Programs, Kampala-based Operations staff, Yumbe field office staff, Kyangwali field office staff, Tororo field office staff, other CRS Uganda programming offices (as needed), Humanitarian Response Department technical advisors

External: Diocesan Caritas staff, national and field-level staff from the Office of the Prime Minister, national and field-level UNHCR, Local Government, refugee community leadership, implementing local and international NGO staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Job Title: Technical Advisor I – Emergencies

Reports to: Program Manager II – Emergencies

Department: Programs/Uganda

Salary Grade: 9

Location: International Telecommuter, Ugandan nationals encouraged to apply

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.

Background

CRS has worked in Uganda since 1965, initially providing emergency assistance to Sudanese refugees living in the north. Over the years, CRS has expanded its programming to also address development needs in western, central and eastern Uganda. CRS’ projects in Uganda currently include emergency response and recovery, agriculture, health, microfinance, peacebuilding and youth. CRS Uganda implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including the Catholic Church, other faith-based organizations and community entities for maximum impact and sustainability.

Uganda is currently hosting a population of around 1.3 million refugees, hailing from South Sudan, the DRC, and Burundi. Uganda has one of the world’s most accepting and progressive policies with regards to refugees, providing a welcome and safe environment, allowing access to social services, land, and right to work. Uganda currently hosts around 1 million South Sudanese refugees, as a result of fighting between government and opposition forces since independence in 2011. Uganda also hosts over 200,000 refugees from the DRC, with the number currently increasing as a result of persistent insecurity over the border. Refugees are hosted in areas called “settlements”, where they live in relative peace and harmony with nearby host communities, sharing schools, clinics, and other services.

In the last years, CRS has expanded its successful Emergency Response and Recovery Program beyond the refugee response in Bidibidi and Kyangwali settlements to respond to natural disasters in non-refugee hosting districts, supporting over 13,000 Ugandans to recover with market-based programming. CRS also works closely with disaster management committees in Mt. Elgon sub-region to develop and implement action plans that mitigate the effects of natural disasters in the region. In addition, CRS is working with district health department staff in Karamoja and Tororo to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates in hard-to-reach areas.

CRS is the co-chair to the national Shelter and Settlements technical working group together with UNHCR and the Office of the Prime Minister, providing a unique opportunity to harness Ugandan experiences in providing refugees with safe, durable and appropriate shelter and settlement solutions. In addition, together with FAO and WFP, CRS co-chairs the national Food Security, Livelihoods and Nutrition Thematic Working Group.

Job Summary:

The Technical Advisor I – Emergencies will provide technical advice and support to a range of program design and implementation issues in the area of Uganda’s emergency response activities in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practice. His/Her advice, knowledge, and support will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive and innovative CRS’ Uganda’s emergency programming is across the country. She/he will help with the mobilization of resources for the ERRR program, supporting and at times leading business development proposals for emergency projects, as a proposal coordinator or writer. The Technical Advisor I – Emergencies’ skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality emergency response programming, deliberate learning, and continuously works towards improving the impact of the work they do to improve the lives of the most vulnerable.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the development and contribute to the implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools and best practices in emergency response that effectively engage partners, donors, and governments. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
• Provide technical solutions to CP emergency teams, remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and how to best apply standards, best practices, partnership principles, tools and M&E, helping to ensure high-quality implementation.
• Contribute to, and in some cases lead, the development of the technical design for proposals. Support the process of preparation, design, submission and approval of project concepts and full-fledged proposals. As needed, act as a technical writer on proposal development teams. Advise project teams on integrating donor strategies, priorities and technical requirements into CRS’ approach.
• Support with the creation of high-quality reports, success stories and other documentation of CRS Uganda’s emergency response work.
• Support capacity strengthening initiatives in emergency response programming for staff and partners through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and workshops, and coaching.
• Collect and analyze program data, capture and share lessons learned and best practices for specific projects to facilitate improvements in decision-making and contribute to the emergency response learning agenda.
• Contribute to maintaining relationships with donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions, participate in forums in the area of emergency response to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.
• Where appropriate, represent CRS in working group meetings and national events.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgments.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups. Ability to influence and relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports and proposals.
• Ability to work independently and drive agendas and manage activities with little support

Required/Desired Foreign Language: Written and spoken fluency in English is required.

Travel Required: 25% travel to the field offices and emergency response projects in Uganda

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Senior Program Manager (II) Emergencies, Program Quality Manager, CRS Uganda Head of Programs, Kampala-based Operations staff, Yumbe field office staff, Kyangwali field office staff, Tororo field office staff, other CRS Uganda programming offices (as needed), Humanitarian Response Department technical advisors

External: Diocesan Caritas staff, national and field-level staff from the Office of the Prime Minister, national and field-level UNHCR, Local Government, refugee community leadership, implementing local and international NGO staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications

• A Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations or another related field is 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 emergency response.
• Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in emergency response, especially market-based programming. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Project management experience in emergency response, shelter, livelihoods, youth, social cohesion, protection and/or gender related programming is highly desirable.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations.
• Experience contributing to project design and the development of technical proposals and high-quality reports.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation and analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Comfortable working and engaging with a variety of staff in a remote work context. Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

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.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

***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. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

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

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