Technical Advisor II

Background

CRS is seeking Integrated Early Childhood Development Advisor II candidates for an anticipated multi-county child development, care, and protection project. The overall objective of the project is to strengthen national systems that protect vulnerable children, support families, and improve early childhood development through locally led and sustainable approaches. The project will improve outcomes for vulnerable children by strengthening child protection systems, supporting families and caregivers, advancing integrated early childhood health and development, and reducing reliance on residential care. 

Job Summary

The Advisor II acts as the subject matter expert providing technical advice, guidance, and support to strengthen child protection, care, and development systems in Malawi. Through application of specialized technical expertise, the Advisor will support project implementation, systems strengthening, capacity development, and learning efforts to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families. The Advisor contributes to improving policies, practices, service quality, and sustainable system change through collaboration with government, civil society, faith-based, and community stakeholders.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the project’s subject matter expert for Integrated Childhood Development. Provide technical advice, guidance and leadership within the area of specialization in [country], in coordination and collaboration with the global technical counterpart and drawing on senior consultants and resource partners with specialized expertise, to ensure project strategies, tools, training content, implementation approaches, and partner support reflect current evidence, technical standards for program quality, and country context.
• Provide technical assistance to strengthen systems serving children and families in [country]. Support government, civil society, faith-based, and community actors to develop, adapt, and implement relevant policies, regulations, standards, standard operating procedures, tools, and guidance at national and targeted subnational levels.
• Strengthen capacity and implementation quality within [country]. Provide coaching, training, supportive supervision, and technical troubleshooting to project teams, partners, and relevant system actors to improve practice and program results, support adherence to standards, and effectively and efficiently address performance gaps.
• Support integrated project delivery across technical areas within the project. Work closely with the project team, global technical counterpart, resource partners, other subject matter experts, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL), and implementation teams to support coordinated, mutually reinforcing technical approaches within a cohesive project strategy.
• Support MEAL, evidence use, and adaptive learning in [country]. Work with the MEAL team to ensure technically relevant data are captured, interpreted, and used to inform programming, strengthen practice and accountability, document learning, and support continuous improvement.
• Monitor technical quality and support risk mitigation within the area of specialization in [country]. Track safeguarding concerns, contextual risks, and implementation challenges related to [specialization(s)], and recommend or support corrective action as needed.
• Contribute to reporting, documentation, technical knowledge sharing, and relevant networks. Provide technically sound inputs for milestone reports, partner government and donor updates, learning products, briefs, and other internal and external communications; participate actively in relevant in-country and global working groups and networks; and help translate project learning into improved practice.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree 
• Demonstrated working knowledge  
• Previous experience in multi-country development programs 
• Experience working in complex, multi-partner or multi-country development programs working with national and sub-national government, multiple technical partners, civil society, and other program stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced ability for independent action, decision making, and initiative with strong and consistent attention to detail.
• Strong time management skills, ability to multitask.
• Experience with budget planning and reporting systems. 
• Computer proficiency with the ability to utilize MS Word, Excel, Power Point
• Proficiency in variety of computer software applications 

Required Languages - English and Chichewa 

Travel - 25 %.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none)

Key Working Relationships:

Internal - Project Director, MEAL, Project Officers, Regional and HQ Technical Advisors 

External- Government staff, CSOs 

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.   
• Minimum of eight years of work experience required in departmental-specific area of specialization. 
• Previous experience managing multiple projects in a single department
• Previous experience in managing departmental projects.   
• Experience working with government, civil society, faith-based, or community actors.
• Experience applying technical knowledge in the relevant area of specialization including via standards, evidence, and guidance to program implementation.
• Experience with facilitation, coaching, training, and capacity strengthening skills.
• Experience collaborating across technical areas and contribute to integrated project implementation.
• Experience using program data and learning to identify gaps, manage risks, improve quality, and inform adaptation.

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.