Technical Advisor II – Climate Change Adaptation & Livelihoods

About Catholic Relief Services:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. CRS’ Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations, serving people on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs.

CRS has worked in Uganda since 1965, initially providing emergency assistance to Sudanese refugees living in the north. Over the years, CRS has expanded its programming to also address development needs in western, central, and eastern Uganda. CRS’ projects in Uganda currently include agriculture, health, microfinance, peacebuilding, and youth. CRS Uganda implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including the Catholic Church, other faith-based organizations and community entities for maximum impact and sustainability. CRS Uganda employs around 180 staff and has its main office in Kampala, with sub-offices in Moroto, Yumbe, and Kyangwali. With our more than 30 partners, we served over 1.2m Ugandans in 2020.

Job Summary:

You will provide technical advice, guidance, and support to a wide range of program design and implementation issues with a focus on larger projects in the area of integrated landscape management, climate change adaptation and livelihoods in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to CRS/Uganda teams to advance the delivery of highquality programming to the poor and vulnerable. In addition, this position will play a lead role in establishing CRS as a climate change adaptation thought leader with an influential voice in Uganda. This position would provide technical leadership in program design, ensuring the latest thinking and understanding of community needs and donor expectations in new proposal development. Your technical knowledge, advice and guidance will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive and innovative CRS’ programming is across the globe.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of Uganda-wide programs, strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in climate change adaptation and livelihoods that effectively engage communities, partners, donors and governments. Specific areas of focus will be drylands regreening, multistory agroforestry, watershed restoration, water smart agriculture, integrated livelihoods and value chains, and climate finance.

• Provide technical solutions to CRS/Uganda, remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and how to best apply program design and implementation standards, best practices, partnership principles, tools, and M&E, ensuring high-quality implementation.

• Contribute to regional and CRS/Uganda efforts to position CRS for growth opportunities to support CRS’s Strategic Change Platform on Resilient Livelihoods and Flourishing Landscapes. Lead or contribute to the development of the technical design for large and/or complex proposals, including defining appropriate monitoring systems and indicators. Advise project teams on integrating donor strategies, priorities and technical requirements into CRS’ approach.

• Contribute to capacity strengthening initiatives in climate change adaptation and livelihoods programming for staff and partner through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and workshops, and mentoring and coaching to CRS/Uganda staff.

• Contribute to research, knowledge management and learning through collecting and analyzing program data, evaluating strategic projects, assisting with measuring program impact, capturing and sharing lessons learned and best practices, and research and internal reports.

• Establish and maintain relationships with donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions. Participate in forums in the area of integrated landscape management and livelihoods to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.

• Develop and as appropriate, lead small innovation projects advancing CRS’ agenda in climate change adaptation and livelihoods

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• Master’s Degree in resilience, climate change adaptation, natural resource management, or similar, required.

• Minimum of five years relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities with minimum of three years working for programming interventions in climate change adaptation and livelihoods.

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Previous experience providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is required. Experience with donors including USAID, the EU, German Government, Green Climate Fund, and various UN agencies preferred.

• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts climate change adaptation and livelihoods. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure cross-sectoral approach.

• Experience in business development, project design and proposal development in climate change adaptation and livelihoods, including technical writing.

• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation and training applying adult learning principles and practices.

• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including applying data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.

• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.

• UGANDAN NATIONALS ONLY

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (SKAs)

• Excellent 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.

• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills

• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Required Languages – High level English oral and written communication skills, including representation and liaison skills.

Travel – Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: None

Internal: Country Representative, Head of Programs, Deputy Head of Programs, Chief of Party, Strategic Business Development Specialist, Program Quality Manager, Program Managers, CRS HQ – Director Program Impact & Quality Assurance, Director Agricultural Livelihoods, Senior Technical Advisors.

External: Government of Uganda departments and ministries (WES, NFA), USAID, World Bank, European Union, foundations, CGIAR members (International Agriculture Research Centers), UNDP, FAO, GIZ, regional government institutions, local universities, and other international research institutions.

Agency-Wide Competencies (for all CRS staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

• Serves with Integrity

• Models Stewardship

• Cultivates Constructive Relationships

• Promotes Learning

DISCLAIMER CLAUSE:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of skills, effort, duties and responsibilities associated with the position.

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

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer