Technical Advisor I-CASH

Job Description

Job Summary:

Over the past 5 years, there has been a significant increase in the amount of humanitarian and development programming that utilizes cash-based and market-based approaches. Between 2010 and 2014, the Emergency Food Security Programs, or EFSP, funded by Food for Peace, made more than $2.2 billion available for projects distributing cash and vouchers. The Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance is supportive of cash and voucher programming for emergency and recovery programming. CRS’ Humanitarian Response Department (HRD) currently provides leadership and technical support of these skills through its ten-member global team that represents CRS’ Market-Based Rapid Response and Recovery (MBRRR) strategic focus area. This team focuses on humanitarian response and development programming.

The EMPOWER program is currently working with 18 partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen institutional capacities and local leadership in emergency response. Under the supervision of the Cash and Markets Team Lead, the Technical Advisor I (TA Cash) will provide accompaniment and technical support on cash programming activities to CRS EMPOWER partners as part of the EMPOWER LACRO strategy. This position will be part of the Market-Based Rapid Response and Recovery Team (MBRRR), under the Humanitarian Response Department (HRD), and will work with the EMPOWER Team. The Cash TA I will be responsible for developing guidance, building capacity, and promoting strategic leadership on cash programming, market assessment, and response analysis; and supporting the development and implementation of quality cash transfer programs with EMPOWER partners. In 2021, EMPOWER in the Caribbean has specific funding to strengthen capacities of partners on cash and voucher programming readiness. Telecommuting is an option for this position. US locations are allowed, but Latin American Caribbean locations are preferred.

CRS is a founding member and leading coordinator of the Collaborative Cash Delivery Platform (CCD), a 15-member partnership of INGOs which strives to improve efficiency and effectiveness of cash delivery through collaboration between humanitarian NGOs. Cash collaborations are complex and affected by many different internal and external factors. The Cash TA I will deploy to support collaboration efforts in Latin America, including deploying as a Collaboration Facilitator to help design and setup cash collaborations between NGOs working in the field.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Masters’ Degree or equivalent experience in economics, food security, international development or related field.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in cash- and market-based programming. Experience in both emergency and development contexts preferred.
• Experience in accompanying local partner led programming preferred. Experience in local partner capacity strengthening a plus.
• Experience with market assessment and response analysis frameworks.
• Knowledge of SEEP Minimum Economic Recovery Standards.
• Strong proposal development and writing skills preferred.
• Basic knowledge of design requirements and regulations of major donors including the United States Government, Caritas, the EU, and UN agencies.
• Experience working CRS Security Level III environments.

Personal Skills

• Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions with limited or incomplete information and offer innovative solutions.
• Strong relationship management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Ability to work long hours in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills.
• Ability to function well in a stressful environment, stay focused, and maintain sufficient work life balance with limited options for downtime activity.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented.
• Strong cross-cultural communication skills.

Required/Desired Foreign Language

English and Spanish fluency required

Physical Requirement: Travel is expected be 50% for this position. Candidates should live in North/Central/South America or the Caribbean; and have the capacity to work in difficult and stressful environments wherever agency needs dictate.


Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

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.

· Integrity

· Continuous Improvement & Innovation

· Builds Relationships

· Develops Talent

· Strategic Mindset

· Accountability & Stewardship

***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. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

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 protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

About the Organization

Catholic Relief Services was founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States. Our mission is to assist the poor and disadvantaged, leveraging the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to alleviate human suffering, promote development of all people, and to foster charity and justice throughout the world. Working through local offices and an extensive network of partners, CRS operates on five continents and in 98 countries. We aid the poor by first providing direct assistance where needed, then encouraging people to help with their own development. Together, these approaches foster secure, productive, just communities that enable people to realize their potential. As the official international relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community, CRS is also committed to educating the people of the United States to fulfill their moral responsibilities toward our global brothers and sisters by helping the poor, working to remove the causes of poverty, and promoting social justice.