Technical Advisor I – Cash and Markets

NOTE: This is a remote position, with a preference for candidates based in Africa; CRS will also give preference to candidates who are based in countries where we have existing offices. CRS does not sponsor visas for remote employees.

Since 2019, CRS has been implementing a Cash Readiness Approach that is founded on Technical Accompaniment and established capacity assessment processes to focus technical support efforts. CRS’ Cash Readiness effort is designed to ensure Country Programs and Partners can rapidly design, launch, and scale high-quality cash and voucher assistance when it is the most appropriate response modality. By investing in practical, deployable tools and a clear support infrastructure across global, regional, and country levels, CRS aims to consistently be “cash-ready” and able to respond to both rapid- and slow-onset emergencies within the first two weeks—reducing delays in assistance, improving program quality, and maximizing impact for crisis-affected communities. This role will support cash readiness efforts of Country Programs and partners, as well as provide technical support for ongoing programming, and new emergency programs, related to cash, market-based programming, and emergency food security and livelihoods. 

This position is embedded in the Humanitarian Response Department (HRD) Market-based Rapid Response and Recovery (MBRRR) Team. The HRD MBRRR Team is the agency lead for Cash & Market-based Programming and the emergency Food Security & Livelihoods Sectors. As part of this team, you will provide technical advice and support to a range of program design and implementation issues in Cash & Markets as well as Food Security & Livelihoods, in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to Country Program (CP) teams and partners to advance the delivery of high-quality humanitarian assistance programming to the poor and vulnerable impacted by crises. Your advice, knowledge, and support will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive, and innovative CRS’ Cash and Market-based programming is across the agency. 

• →Support the development and contribute to the implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in relation to Cash and Market Based Programming that effectively engage partners, donors, and governments. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
• →Provide programmatic and operational (including administrative and finance) technical solutions to CP 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 capacity strengthening initiatives in relation to Cash and Market based 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 Cash and Market Based Programming learning agenda.
• →Contribute to maintaining relationships with donors, peer organizations, research, and other institutions, participate in forums in the area of Cash and Market Based Programming to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.
• →Support Country Programs and partners in strengthening their cash readiness through targeted technical support, particularly in relation to developing capacities, identifying suitable cash delivery mechanisms and Financial Service Providers (FSPs), developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and tools, and supporting the design and implementation of pilot cash programs.

• Master's Degree in humanitarian assistance, social policy, economics or related field required.
• Minimum of three years relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with minimum of two years relevant emergency response and field-based experience in cash and market-based programming, including in protracted and rapid onset crisis contexts.
• Experienced trainer in CVA Programming. Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in cash and market-based programming, including experience with multiple CVA delivery mechanisms. 
• Demonstrated experience in designing CVA Programs, particularly for US Government funding, and designing and implementing Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) or sectoral cash and voucher programs related to Food Security, Livelihoods, Shelter or WASH sectors. Experience in other sectoral cash programming, such as Nutrition, DRR, and/or Protection, desirable. Experience with e-voucher platforms highly desirable.
• Knowledge of, and experience in, conducting market assessments and response analysis to inform modality decisions across different areas of programming, particularly in emergency rapid-onset humanitarian contexts.
• Experience in innovative project design for rapid response with market-based programming in a diversity of contexts. 
• Experience in proposal development, for government and/or private donors. 
• Knowledge of capacity strengthening and technical accompaniment best practices, with a focus on collaboration and supporting partner-led responses.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.

Required Languages – English required. French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic highly desired. 

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%, including at short notice and to emergency situations.

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
• 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

   

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), data analytics and PowerBi. 

• →Internal: HRD Cash and Markets TAs; HRD Regional Focal Point for Program Quality and Management; other HRD Technical Advisors (e.g. Program Quality and Management, Shelter and Settlement, Safe and Dignified Programming, Operations, and WASH); Regional Technical Advisors including Agriculture and Livelihoods; Country Program staff
• →External: Partners; donors; peer agencies

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.