CRS is recruiting for the position of Technical Advisor 11 – Infrastructure, Shelter & Settlement

If you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below job description, and follow the instructions to submit your application package.  

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, health (including malaria), agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS/ Sierra Leone and Program Background 

Catholic Relief Service (CRS) started work in Sierra Leone in 1963 carrying out the commitment of the  Catholic bishops and the Catholic community of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable  overseas. For over 57 years, CRS has been on the front lines in responding to emergencies and  promoting health, education, agriculture, and urban resilience in Sierra Leone.

To date, the Country Program has a robust portfolio built around several major programs in Health,  Agriculture, Nutrition, Education and Urban Resilience such as the USDA/McGovern Dole Food for  Education and Nutrition (All Pikin for Learn) Program, Global Fund Malaria Program and COVID-19  Response Mechanism Project. In addition, the country program is working on several high-profile  opportunities to improve water security in Freetown and support Freetown City Council to deliver its  Transform Freetown strategy through slum regeneration

Job Title: Shelter & Settlement Technical Advisor  

Department: Programming  

Reports To: Program Director – Urban Resilience

Country: CRS-Sierra Leone.

Duty Location: CRS Country Office, Freetown with 10% travel to project locations 

Job Summary  

You will provide research coordination, technical advice, guidance, and support to a wide range of program  design and implementation issues in the area of Infrastructure, Shelter and Settlement in line with Catholic  Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best  practices to regional and Country Program (CP) teams to advance the delivery of high-quality programming  to the poor and vulnerable in informal settlements in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Your technical knowledge,  advice and guidance will contribute to advancing the implementation of the Transforming Lives initiative, in  collaboration with key project partners and stakeholders. You will coordinate with the CRS Homes &  Communities platform to ensure that learning from the Transforming Lives initiative around strategies for  scaling is captured and disseminated across the agency. You will also help to coordinate the slum upgrading  activities with other research and projects taking place in the two target communities, such as the multi sectoral urban malaria research and an 18-month global PrEPD project to strengthen local capacity to  integrate protection in disaster risk reduction.

Roles and Key Responsibilities 

• Collaborate with Freetown City Council, INGO consortium and other partners to ensure effective  implementation of the Transforming Lives initiative.

• Support coordination of the slum regeneration consortium led by CRS in partnership with Action  Against Hunger (AAH), CARE International, Concern Worldwide and GOAL.

• Design and oversee the implementation of research activities in pilot locations.

• Monitor the progress of research activities; develop and maintain records of research activities,  prepare periodic and ad hoc reports as required.

• Supervise and coordinate the provision of support services to study sites and teams, and community  structures.

• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in management and operations for  staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.

• Develop and nurture relationships with government stakeholders, private sector actors, donors, as  well as academic and research institutes to generate support and visibility for the overall initiative.

• Support the creation and coordination of a national platform that will advocate for participatory and  pro-poor slum upgrading in Sierra Leone.

• Coordinate and monitor financial and material resources relevant to project needs. Through planning  and oversight ensure efficient use of project resources

• Engage with the CRS Homes & Communities Strategic Change Platform to capture and disseminate  successful scaling strategies and approaches.

• Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding for scaling up pilot interventions  under Transforming Lives.

Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality  proposals in per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and  activities for proposals.

• Help identify, assess and strengthen partnerships relevant to Transforming Lives, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.

Basic Qualifications and experience:

• Master’s Degree connected with the built environment, or similar, and Bachelor’s Degree in  construction-based engineering, architecture, urban planning, or related disciplines required • Minimum of 7 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience in housing,  slum upgrading, or infrastructure development is required.

• Experience in design, planning and construction project management, including construction  contract administration for owner driven and contractor led approach.

• Experience of bid procedures, Bill of Quantities, construction quality assurance and quality control  system, construction safety plan, operations and maintenance procedures, project close-out is a  must.

• Knowledge of Housing, Land and Property policies and regulations in Sierra Leone.  • Experience with urban resilience and crosscutting objectives (e.g., gender, youth).  • Proven experience of working with communities in informal settlements.

• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation and analysis.

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

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications,  information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks, AutoCAD, 3D  (ArchiCad, Revit, SketchUp, or similar).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in Infrastructure, Shelter and Settlements program.  General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach. • Knowledge of an additional priority area, such as solid waste or watershed management, a plus.  • 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

• Good technical writing skills

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

• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Required Languages – Fluency of English is required. Fluency of Krio is highly desirable but not required.  Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 10%.

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal Program Director Urban Resilience, Head of Programming, BD Specialist, Urban Malaria Technical  Advisor, PrEPD Program Manager, Partnership Advisor, region and HQ Technical Advisors.  External: Freetown City Council, Consortium Partners (Action Against Hunger, CARE, Concern Worldwide,  GOAL), Civil Society Organizations (CODOHSAPA, FEDURP), government, donors, consultants

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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.  

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 safeguarding-related  topics.

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. CRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To apply for this position please send up-to-date CV and a supporting letter, copies of relevant certificates to  SL_HR@crs.org. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be done on  rolling bases.

Also send a copy of your application package to the desk Officers, Ministry of Employment and Social  Security, New England, and Extension Offices in Applicants’ Locations 

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. 

Closing Date for the receipt of application packages is 18^th February 2022.

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