CRS : Program Quality Technical Advisor III, SARO – Lusaka

  • Location:
  • Salary:
    negotiable / YEAR
  • Job type:
    FULL_TIME
  • Posted:
    2 weeks ago
  • Category:
    Programme and Project Management
  • Deadline:
    22/11/2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

Note: This is a remote position. CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of countries where we have offices. CRS does not sponsor visas for remote employees.

Job Summary: 

You will provide program quality technical and management support in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to SARO regional and Country Program (CP) teams to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your technical knowledge and program management experience and skills will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive and innovative CRS’ programming is across the region.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

  • Contribute to the development and advancement of the SARO regional strategy, including the implementation of SARO’s regional initiatives and related operational documents and tools. Provide technical support to regional and CP teams, remotely and on-site, for strategic planning.
  • Support design and delivery of quality assurance systems, including how to best apply program PQ and technical standards, best practices, partnership principles, and M&E. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, SDP mainstreaming, and climate.
  • Lead or support the development of the technical design for large and/or complex proposals. Advise project teams on integrating donor strategies, priorities and technical requirements into CRS’ approach. Contribute to regional and CP efforts to pre-position CRS for growth opportunities.
  • Coordinate regional capacity strengthening initiatives for staff and partners through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, leading virtual learning events, conducting trainings and workshops, and mentoring and coaching to CP staff.
  • Lead and advance knowledge management and learning by coordinating research studies, assisting with reviewing and documenting program impact, supporting design and delivery of learning events and sharing best practices, and coordinating production of internal/external learning products.
  • Provide program quality management surge support to fill short-term CP gaps and support projects during program start-up, close-out, or other delivering key milestones in the project cycle.

Required Languages – English and French required.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 25%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships: 

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Internal: DRD/PQ, BD Manager, Regional Staff, Heads of Programming, Chiefs of Party, Project Managers,

External:  Partners

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

Basic Qualifications:

  • Master’s Degree in International Relations or a related field required. PhD a plus
  • Minimum of seven years relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO .
  • Previous experience providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is required.
  • Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
  • Experience in business development, project design and proposal development 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

Note: This is a remote position. CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of countries where we have offices. CRS does not sponsor visas for remote employees.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  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 safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

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

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CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree .o

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements