About CRS:
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.

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.

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.

Job Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Cash and Markets Team Lead, the HRD Cash TA I will carry out the following responsibilities in coordination and consultation with the EMPOWER Team and the HRD LACRO Focal Point:

Key Responsibilities:
1. Provide technical support and accompaniment to EMPOWER Partners in the development of cash programs in emergency and recovery contexts with 50% focus on ELMA supported countries in the Caribbean.
2. Provide technical assistance in implementation of cash components of multi-purpose, food security, education, health, or other programs.
3. Support collaboration efforts in line with the efforts of the CCD, both in the field and remotely.
4. Support, train and conduct market assessments to determine the appropriate form of assistance, including cash, voucher, in-kind distributions, and market support interventions.
5. Support livelihoods market and beneficiary capacity assessments for partners.
6. Support the development of materials and guidance for cash transfer programs in varying contexts.
7. Mainstream gender and protection into cash tools and guidance; contribute to financial and operational guidance for cash and market-based programming.
8. Provide trainings to EMPOWER Partner Staff on market assessment, response analysis, and the design and implementation of cash and market-based programs
9. Support the successful implementation of cash programs, in adherence with international accountability standards such as the SEEP Minimum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS) and the CaLP Minimum Requirements for Market Analysis in Emergencies.
10. As members of CaLP, participate in CaLP discussions and advisory groups as appropriate.
11. Provide leadership in representation of CRS to global cash communities in Latin America and other regions.
12. Identify, document, and share best practices and lessons learned from cash programs with regions and community of practice; develop and contribute to agency knowledge databases and technical libraries
13. Publish articles and/or case studies on cash programs, independently or in collaboration with research organizations.
14. Contribute to increasing CRS’ leadership and recognized portfolio in cash programs.

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.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal:
• Technical Advisor II, Cash and Markets
• EMPOWER TA II
• HRD EMPOWER Team Members
• HRD LACRO Focal Point
• HRD MBRRR Team Members
• CCD Coordinator
• Other HRD Team Members - Technical Advisors (Shelter, WASH, Protection Mainstreaming, Emergency Program Quality and Management, Operations)

External: Caritas Partner leadership, staff and volunteers, Other Caritas International Member Organization representatives in country or supporting remotely, Representatives of other NGOs, UN and International Agencies operating in the region.

All interested candidates must click on the link below to apply for this position :

https://www.crs.org/about/careers

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.
• Trusting Relationships
• Professional Growth
• Partnership
• Accountability

Emergency Competencies
• Communicates strategically under pressure
• Manages stress and complexity
• Actively promotes safety and security
• Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, 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.
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 Employer.