Senior Technical Advisor for Program Quality

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:  As a member of the Global Awards Senior Management Team, the Senior Technical Advisor (STA) for Program Quality (PQ  will support the Director of Global Awards in the development and provisions of strategic direction, leadership, and management of the overall award portfolio. Your scope would include but would not be limited to providing programmatic leadership for new business, leading project start-up, filling in for key project leadership vacancies, leading and overseeing project close outs, and supporting knowledge management needs for Global Awards.  Ultimately, as STA for Program Quality you will provide just in time support for new and existing awards and support the strategic priorities of team.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Portfolio Management 

• In collaboration with the Director of Global Awards, support the strategic direction for current and future award portfolios.
• Identify key gaps in resources, staffing, and/or general oversight within the portfolio and develop and implement corrective actions.
• Contribute to and manage strategies to effectively coordinate and deploy short term technical assistance (STTA) for key awards. 

Project Lifecycle Management

• Lead project start-up activities and alignment with project goals and effective resource allocation.
• Lead the development of high-quality project designs incorporating innovative approaches, project management standards, and MEAL methodologies.
• Champion and implement project management standards at every stage of the project lifecycle, developing and promoting best practices across the global awards portfolio.
• Lead project close-out activities in coordination with country programs, including final reporting, evaluation, and knowledge transfer.
• Coordinate with global, regional, and country program operations to ensure effective project budgeting and resource stewardship.
• For awards with limited or no support for core staffing; provide coordination and deployment of short-term technical assistance.

Team Development and Knowledge Management:

• Support a collaborative and learning-oriented environment, fostering idea sharing and problem-solving.
• Promote accountability, learning, and knowledge management by overseeing the application of MEAL policies and facilitating cross-functional learning and knowledge management.
• Provide technical assistance and capacity building to project teams and partners in project management, MEAL, business development, and operational areas. 
• Support the development and implementation of key internal communications and knowledge management strategies.

Business Development and Partnerships:

• Advise on the strategic direction for business development and support the Global Awards Business Development Director in pursuing new opportunities.
• Provide input to the business development cycle for complex, strategic, and competitive growth opportunities, from intelligence gathering to proposal development and communications.
• Identify, assess, and strengthen strategic partnerships to enhance project outcomes.
• Fill in for key business development roles (i.e. coordination, technical lead, pricing, etc.) as appropriate and needed. 

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development, International Relations, or relevant field. Commensurate experience may be accepted in lieu.
• Minimum of 10 years work experience in a program management position with progressive responsibilities for an international organization.
• Strong experience in project grants management for large and complex projects, including project design, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, etc., for projects funded by multiple public donors, including USAID.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent English writing skills.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Experience working with Church partners a plus.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.  Experience coaching and mentoring senior program staff.
• Experience a