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:
The purpose of this position is to design, manage, strengthen, monitor and provide strategic direction to an evidenced-based social and behavior change framework for the DFSA, ensuring a holistic and robust approach to promote sustainable behavior change among participants and stakeholders for reducing food and nutrition insecurity. The SBC advisor will lead the development and implementation of an integrated SBC strategy across project sectors and throughout the entire implementation period. The SBC Advisor will ensure that the SBC framework is developed on the basis of participants’ and stakeholders’ knowledge, attitudes and practices and that SBC approaches promote community participation and problem-solving and increase community capacities.

The SBC Advisor will work closely staff and partners to develop high-quality and contextually appropriate SBC approaches and tools and to integrate and harmonize SBC strategies across sectors. S/he will work with staff and partners to build capacity in SBC. S/he will provide technical support and leadership to SBC integration throughout CRS' programs and operations. The SBC Advisor will also lead on formative research and learning initiatives related to SBC approaches and integration. The DFSA SBC Advisor will be responsible for supervising SBC staff and for coordinating and supervising SBC initiatives across sectors. In addition, the SBC Advisor will support communication related to project activities and learning.

Job Responsibilities
Project Refinement, Implementation, Organizational Learning and Reporting
• Lead the design of formative research with project participants and stakeholders to identify, develop and refine contextualized SBC strategies promoting food and nutrition security (situation assessments, knowledge, attitudes and practice assessments, barrier analyses, etc ...)
• Develop SBC strategies promoting food and nutrition security and integrated with all project activities (agriculture/livelihoods, nutrition and health, savings and credit cooperatives), drawing on proven approaches and results of studies, baseline data and formative research.
• Collaborate with project team members to ensure the optimal integration of SBC strategies in all activities, coherent activity planning and efficient implementation.
• Ensure that SBC related indicators are covered in the DFSA MEAL system.
• Lead pilot tests and develop support materials and guidance to refine SBC strategies and their implementation over the implementation of the project.
• Contribute to the design of contextually appropriate and effective participant and stakeholder complaints and feedback mechanisms and provide support for their implementation.
• Lead SBC learning activities and document learning; prepare reports, presentations, short articles for publication to disseminate learning.
• Prepare input on SBC results and learning for project reports.
• Assist technical teams and MEAL staff in writing reports and program documents in French and Malagasy.
• Produce multi-media communication resources for the project’s SBC strategy, including communication materials appropriate for participants with limited literacy.
• Support the organization of special events and activities to optimize SBC (World Food Day, Nutrition Day, Fairs and learning events related to health and nutrition, food security and prevention and risk and disaster management).

Partnership/Capacity Building
• Assess the technical capacity of staff and partners and provide training, coaching, mentoring and technical guidance for the implementation of the SBC strategy; develop capacity building plans and strategies for staff and partners staff to advance knowledge and skills in SBC.
• Collaborate with staff and partners to identify opportunities for enhancing SBC strategies and their implementation; identify relevant stakeholders and build partnerships to address gaps and improve SBC strategies.
• Provide technical support to partners in developing effective SBC strategies.
• Supervise and mentor staff through a matrix management system.
• Represent CRS with key stakeholders in strategic activities such as coordination platforms, policy meetings and thematic committees / technical groups.
• Support CRS staff across the country program to improve SBC strategies and coordinate their harmonization with DFSA programming.

Management, Finance and Compliance with Donors
• Ensure the implementation of the DFSA Branding Strategy and Marking Plan in compliance with USAID regulations.
• Manage the archives of project SBC resources and ensure the classification and proper use of photos and other documents.

Supervision and Coaching/Mentoring
• The DFSA SBC Advisor will participate in the hiring and supervision either directly or indirectly of staff. Additionally, s/he will provide support in mentoring staff.

Basic Qualifications
• A master’s degree in a relevant academic area plus seven years of relevant experience or a Bachelor’s degree and nine years’ experience.
• SBC experience related to nutrition, agriculture and livelihoods, WASH, gender, youth.
• Minimum five years of progressive management and technical responsibility, including supervising and mentoring team members, preferably with an international NGO; the candidate must have experience in leading SBC strategy design and implementation.
• Experience working with large donors, USAID/FFP and/or USAID/FTF preferred.
• In-depth understanding of gender, age and other socio-cultural factors along with familiarity with community mobilization and participation principles and approaches in the context of food and nutrition security programming.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead the collection, analysis and use of data and information from a broad range of sources in order to ensure the development of effective SBC approaches, messages and tools throughout the project's implementation.
• Demonstrated experience in leading participatory analytical processes and learning required.
• Demonstrated capacity to understand and advise on critical technical and operational issues related to SBC: health and nutrition, WASH, inclusive governance, social cohesion, education, job skills, employment creation, etc.
• Demonstrated capacity in developing SBC strategies in contexts of low literacy.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences (capacity strengthening) through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods, using adult learning methodologies.
• Prior experience working with MEAL development and integration in programming to capture SBC information to monitor change and outcomes.
• Experience with facilitation, capacity strengthening and partnership building through formal and informal training, with the capacity to empower staff through opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Ability to self-manage and succeed in matrix management model, with demonstrated proactive and flexible nature in resolving problems and leading a productive, committed team.
• Cultural sensitivity, patience, flexibility and ability to work well in a multi-sectoral and multi-cultural team and to work closely, understand and support local Church partners.
• Detail-oriented and excellent time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and deliver required results in a timely and quality manner.
• Knowledge of CRS’s program quality and MEAL standards and of Catholic Social Teaching preferred.
• Flexibility to work both in a team and independently.
• Demonstrated personal accountability and driven to serve others.
• Ability to work in a challenging and stressful environment with unexpected challenges.
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
• Experience working in a variety of developing environments preferred; knowledge of the Madagascar context valued.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook required.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• 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 – English and French fluency required

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 30-50 % domestically with periodic international travel.

All interested candidates must submit: Cover Letter, Resume, Diplomas with the mention "Technical Advisor II, Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Lead " in the subject line.

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.

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity E