Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Chief of Party (COP) and Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Technical Advisor oversees periodic programmatic and technical reviews, manage changes in program direction and focus.
• Ensure technical interventions are sequenced, layered and integrated (SLI) appropriately at all levels of implementation within the activity and with USAID investments, the private sector, other donors, and the Government of Malawi (GOM), particularly social protection programming.
• Participate in the collection, analysis, and utilization of information from a broad range of sources in close collaboration with the MEAL Technical Advisor and other key staff to contextualize the graduation approach.
• Coordinate and integrate inputs from sectoral specialists (Gender/Psychosocial Youth Social Inclusion (GYSI), Health & Nutrition, Agriculture Livelihoods, Social Behavior Change (SBC), Resilience) to strengthen the economic and social impact of the graduation approach.
• Oversee the contextualization of the five-components of a risk-informed graduation approach that considers cultural norms, and gender dynamics and is conflict sensitive.
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for a contextualized graduation approach in collaboration with the GOM’s social protection programming and local stakeholders. The SOPs will set out the, at minimum: the:
  • Process for targeting graduation participant households.
  • Amount, timing, duration, modalities and sequencing of consumption support
  • Coaching and mentoring model
  • Financial inclusion approach
  • Training on business-related and other skills
  • Amount, timing, duration and modality of productive asset transfers
• Develop and oversee the training approach across the training cascade; ensuring the curriculum and training tools are participant-aligned and appropriate. Lead quality assurance and quality improvement efforts for implementation.
• In collaboration with the Chief of Party (COP), MEAL Manager and other key staff, use a Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) approach to optimize an effective and efficient graduation approach for improved resilience and food security at scale. Document and disseminate learning.
• In collaboration with the Chief of Party, participate in coordination meetings with GOM, social protection actors and other key stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain relationships with donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions. Participate in forums in the area of Graduation and Social Protection to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.

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.

• Qualifications

  Basic Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Economics, International Development or related field required
  • Minimum of five years relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with minimum of three years working in the design and implementation of programming using the graduation approach.
  • Demonstrated capacity to collect, analyze, present and use information from a broad range of sources.
  • Experience in business development, project design and proposal development in including technical writing.
  • Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training applying adult learning principles and practices.
  • Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, governments, international and peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.

  Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

  • Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
  • Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
  • Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
  • Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
  • Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

  Agency Leadership Competencies:

  • Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
  • Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
  • Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.