Technical Advisor II Agriculture, Livelihoods and Markets – EMECA – Remote

Job Title: Technical Advisor II Agriculture, Livelihoods and Markets
Department/Country: Europe, Middle East, Central Asia Regional Office (EMECA)
Position Type: Full-Time
Job Location: Preference will be given to staff from the region. CRS employs though both international assignees as well as staff from countries where CRS is registered. Eligible applicants can only be based in countries where CRS is registered.
Band: 10
FLSA: Exempt
Reports To: Deputy Regional Director (DRD), Program Quality

About CRS:
Catholic Relief Services is dedicated to building a world in which all people reach their full human potential in just and peaceful societies. 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 supports local communities and partners to assist the poorest and most vulnerable and to enact transformational change in their societies.

Background:
The CRS Europe, Middle East, Central Asia (EMECA) region consists of 10 country programs and 20 outreach countries. This includes 18 countries in Europe, 10 in the Middle East and North Africa, and 2 in Central Asia, reflecting recent expansion amid the Ukraine crisis and registration in Pakistan and Yemen. EMECA is home to many complex environments along the humanitarian-development spectrum with populations reflecting immense religious and ethnic diversity. Many countries are beset by protracted conflicts, including the world’s worst humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria, Yemen and Gaza. Other countries are recovering from prior conflicts, and working toward resilience and development, such as Egypt, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Successive crises have led to large refugee flows and long-term displacement.

In the updated EMECA Regional Strategy (2023-2030), work in agriculture, livelihoods and markets is represented as one of three strategic programming goals. This work is inclusive of on and off-farm livelihoods strategies (agricultural and livestock production, traditional self-employment, freelancing and wage employment) used across rural, peri-urban and urban environments in EMECA. Across the region, CRS has extensive experience supporting farmers to use simple, low-cost practices (improved storage, stabling, livestock feeding, on-farm seed selection, seed planting, etc.) to significantly increase their productivity yield (West Bank, Afghanistan, Syria and Pakistan), supporting entrepreneurs to establish sustained, profitable micro and small enterprise (Egypt, Iraq, Syria and Gaza), and collaborating with public academic institutions and employers to improve the qualifications of job seekers and linkages to employment (Greece, Yemen, Gaza, West Bank, Iraq).

Agricultural, livelihoods and markets programming in the region will continue to be tailored to individual or household needs, considering their gender-, age- and disability-specific asset opportunities and gaps, as well as the wider system and structures they operate within. A particular focus of efforts in the new EMECA strategy is to support catalyzation of livelihoods outcomes at scale whereby CRS will engage with local actors, structures, and systems to promote an enabling environment to support families to achieve dignified and resilient livelihoods. Supporting the development of dignified and resilient livelihoods will also contribute to other EMECA strategic programming goals of improving child and youth well-being and helping communities recover from disasters.

Job Summary:
The Technical Advisor II will ensure strategic leadership, technical guidance and support; maintain and improve program quality; and help build CRS’ expertise and impact in the areas of agriculture, livelihoods, and markets. S/he will focus on direct provision of technical support in agricultural livelihoods with a focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation, natural resource management, livestock, watershed management and market systems development. S/he will liaise with the global Agriculture and Livelihoods and Market Systems Development community to ensure appropriate and timely support for the range of other technical needs expressed by EMECA country programs. The Technical Advisor will assist EMECA countries to develop high quality proposals; support workforce planning and staff development; ensure quality programming; and promote evidence-based learning, adaptation and innovation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific Responsibilities:
Strategic Thinking and Technical Support

• Ensure timely and practical technical support to CRS EMECA country programs for all support needs related to agriculture, livelihoods, and markets. Liaise with global Agriculture and Livelihoods teams to identify appropriate staffing support to fill gaps.
• Support country programs in developing a collaborative understanding of the systems and underlying drivers for change related to dignified and resilient livelihoods, including relevant factors related to climate change, environment, economy, and policy.
• Facilitate stakeholder mapping activities and support country programs to identify entry points to dialogue with government, private sector, civil society, public academic institutions, etc. and identify common interests to reduce/eliminate barriers to dignified and resilient livelihoods.
• Support country programs to develop gender-, age- and conflict- sensitive strategies, tools and approaches to strengthen the design and implementation of evidence-based agriculture, livelihoods and markets projects.
• Establish productive relationships with implementing teams to identify opportunities to improve program quality in a timely manner. Help articulate clear support needs and expected deliverables.
• Support program quality at key planning milestones including recruitment, start-up workshops, mid-term assessments, project close out.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Liaise with the RTA for MEAL to measure impact of agriculture and livelihoods programming across ag and non-ag programming in alignment with CRS Global Results.
• Coordinate with MEAL RTA to provide guidance to country programs and partners in the design and/or enhancement of MEAL strategies, learning questions, tools and protocols to strengthen data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Assist in the design and implementation of rigorous baseline, mid-term and final evaluations; support data analysis; and ensure follow-up of findings/recommendations to improve program quality.
• Promote learning and innovation. Assist CPs to document learning at key points during the project life. Support meta-analyses, ex-post impact evaluations and monitoring to facilitate learning. Ensure that relevant learning is disseminated within the Region and Agency.
• Represent CRS at internal and external conferences to share our work. Lead coordination with country programs to prepare abstracts, full papers and posters for conferences.

Growth and Impact at Scale

• Reinforce country programs’ capacities in effective stakeholder engagement, and partner-led approaches as a foundation for effective collaboration and sustainable systems change.
• Support country program staff to develop strong relationships with relevant governmental and private sector partners. Contribute to influence and scaling strategies for improving policies and programs.
• Contribute to regional and country program efforts to pre-position CRS for growth opportunities in agriculture, livelihoods, landscapes and climate change programming. As per staffing needs, lead or contribute to the design, development, and technical writing of large and/or complex proposals. Coordinate with internal stakeholders to ensure adherence to best practices, incorporation of lessons learned and overall innovation and competitiveness.
• Maintain awareness of important agriculture and livelihoods actors and institutions that CRS might compete or collaborate with. Coordinate with regional business development staff to identify emerging funding opportunities and assist country programs to acquire them.
• Liaise with regional and sub-regional agriculture research institutions to stay updated on research findings and new practices, as well as to seek new partnerships.
• Build working relationship with USAID offices in each country and at the Regional level and explore relationships with other important donors in the sector.

Capacity Strengthening

• Liaise with global technical colleagues, EMECA regional staff and country programs to maintain awareness and understand relevance of: the updated Theory of Change for agriculture and livelihoods; guidance for climate adaptation and natural resource management/land restoration; livestock; watershed management; integrated seed systems; market systems development; sustainable land management, nature-based solutions and other technical guidance.
• Maintain awareness of regional and international policy debates and processes on climate change, disaster risk reduction and resilience. Facilitate discussions on climate change threats, adaption, mitigation, and resilience/disaster risk reduction in the region.
• Work closely with EMECA regional colleagues and country programs to build programming linkages across agriculture, livelihoods, markets and other sectors/lens (nutrition, WASH, emergency response, peacebuilding, gender, youth, etc.).
• Coordinate and maintain the EMECA Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Markets community of practice and resource library.
• Consult with country programs on workforce planning and capacity strengthening needs. Assist country programs with the recruitment and on-boarding of agriculture, livelihoods and markets staff. Explore capacity building options for staff and partners to fill gaps and leverage opportunities for professional development including trainings and internal TDYs. Facilitate relevant sectoral workshops and trainings for country program and partner staff as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, results and solutions-orientated skills.
• Ability to coach, mentor and build the capacity of CRS staff and partnerships using a variety of interactive and static methods (community of practice, newsletters, webinars, meetings, workshops).
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to represent and market the strengths of CRS to peer agencies and donors.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.

Required Languages: Fluency in English. Arabic preferred.

Required Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 30% throughout the EMECA region, with occasional travel to the US for CRS meetings and donor conferences etc.

Key Working Relationships:
Internal: EMECA Regional Director; EMECA DRD/PQ; the EMECA PQ team; EMECA Country Representatives and Heads of Programming; Agriculture and Livelihoods program/project managers; CRS’ global Agriculture, Livelihoods and Markets Technical Advisors.
External: Host country government ministries, bilateral and multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, public and private educational institutions, private sector partners, USAID, GIZ, BPRM, Caritas Germany and other important partners, as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree required in agriculture, natural resource management or related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years overseas experience supporting development and/or relief programs for impactful agricultural, livelihoods, and markets programs.
• Thorough understanding of gender-, age- and conflict sensitive agriculture and livelihoods programming in international development contexts. Familiarity with the humanitarian, development and peace nexus and social behavior change communications methodologies.
• Demonstrated strategic leadership and experience in integrated programming (natural resource management, agriculture and nutrition, WASH, conflict mitigation, on and off-farm small enterprise development, peacebuilding, etc.).
• Demonstrated knowledge of the agriculture and natural resource management context and policy environment in the Middle East and northern Africa. Knowledge and experience in pastoralist systems, livestock management, agro-pastoralist livelihoods. Experience with Disaster Risk Reduction in contexts with cyclical droughts and floods preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with an emphasis on learning and adaptation. Experience in the use of digital tools and data visualization preferred.
• Expertise in project design and proposal review.

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.

***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 welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, 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 an Equal Opportunity Employer