Catholic Relief Services is looking for a new Senior Technical Advisor. The primary role of the Senior Technical Advisor (STA) for HIV Orphans and Vulnerable Children is to provide technical assistance to CRS’ orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) programming with particular emphasis on supporting OVC programs in Central Africa (countries include Benin, Togo, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Rwanda). The STA will ensure technical excellence through contributions made to project proposal development, project implementation and monitoring and evaluation. The STA will lead the development and implementation of learning agendas, support learning exchanges, tool development and relevant strategic initiatives. The STA will build the capacity of staff and partners as well as to promote growth with a particular focus on the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) OVC programs. With PEPFAR OVC programming’s common focus on positive parenting, case management, referrals and HIV service linkages as well as social service system strengthening, the STA will liaise closely with technical advisors from other sectors to ensure seamless quality programming. Finally, the STA will ensure that organizational know-how, information, and experiences in vulnerable children programming are shared within and outside the Agency.
Training, Experience and Skills:
- Advanced degree in either social work, public health or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in international development programs for vulnerable children in either emergency or development contexts, preferably in Africa.
- Preferred area of expertise in programming for children infected or affected by HIV, positive parenting interventions, early childhood development, and/or HIV service delivery.
- Experience working with and/or managing PEPFAR OVC projects.
- Understanding of PEPFAR OVC programming priorities, strategies and monitoring and evaluation tools and systems.
- Track record of designing and writing successful funding proposals in public health or areas related to vulnerable children programming.
- Technical expertise in principals, theories, concepts and techniques in the area of vulnerable children programming, including knowledge of and ability to integrate across related disciplines.
- Knowledgeable of vulnerable children programming professionals and resources both within and outside of CRS (such as within academia, UN agencies or donor agencies).
- Ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues at headquarters, regional office and country programs.
- Ability to work independently and on a team.
- Ability to manage conflict and move groups toward consensus.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent computer skills, specifically in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Full professional proficiency in French.
Travel Requirements:
The position may be based in CRS’ Global headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, USA or elsewhere. The position will require up to 40% travel, primarily within Africa, and especially to Central African countries (with additional trips to Baltimore, if based outside of CRS’ headquarters).
For fastest consideration, please create an online profile to apply.