BACKGROUND – 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.  Since 2004, CRS has responded to emergencies, supported recovery after conflict, and promoted peace, resilience, and development of communities across Sudan, with current programming in food assistance, agriculture, nutrition, and health. 

JOB SUMMARY

The Safe and Dignified Programming (SDP) Technical Advisor (TA) will provide tools and technical support to the Country Program to effectively ensure protection mainstreaming across programming. The SDP TA will ensure SDP program quality standards and SDP-related MEAL policies and procedures are effectively met and exceeded, and that protection mainstreaming guidelines are adhered to in both emergency and resilience programming. The SDP TA will collaborate with and receive guidance, technical support and capacity building from Regional and Global Technical Advisors, as pertinent.  The SDP TA will be responsible for leading or supporting the mentorship and capacity building of SDP focal points in CRS Sudan programs and sub-offices.

ROLES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the implementation of CRS’ SDP Strategy at the CRS Sudan country level, following guidance and with technical support from Global and Regional Technical Advisors;
• Help the Country Program to identify and put into practice internal SDP priorities and capacity building opportunities;
• Coordinate and train in-country sub-office or project specific SDP Focal Points, including exchange of learning opportunities, facilitating regular meetings, tracking priorities for action, etc.;
• In coordination with the Sudan Protection Cluster and starting with the Cluster’s detailed internal service mapping for Darfur, map out external-facing referral pathways for CRS project areas that may be safely shared with the general public and create referrals reference and outreach materials such as referral cards and messaging, and ensure this Essential Service Mapping / referral pathways are kept up to date and reviewed regularly;
• Contribute to the design and monitoring of CRS Sudan’s feedback, complaint, and response mechanism (FCRM) community communication channels and responses to nonsensitive feedback, ensuring FCRMs are functional, safe, accessible, and effective for communities, and especially, diverse, vulnerable, and marginalized populations
• Serve as a reporting channel to receive safeguarding allegations from colleagues and associates, and log these into CRS Sudan’s FCRM;
• When delegated by the CRS Ethics Unit, help ensure survivors of harm including harassment, abuse, and violence receive immediate support and/or appropriate referrals following disclosure;
• Plan and facilitate protection risk assessments and risk mitigation planning for projects in design and implementation phases and After Action Reviews when relevant during project close-out with Program teams to better integrate SDP into activities, including awareness raising of program participants and communities of intervention on their rights, CRS’ Code of Conduct & Ethics, reporting expectations, meaningful access by diverse community groups, etc.;
• Review project designs/proposals to ensure minimum requirements for protection are included, such as: risk assessments, mitigation measures, functional FCRMs, meaningful participation, adequate staff and budget, etc. 
• Train project frontline staff on identifying, receiving, and escalating safeguarding and protection reports, suspicions, and concerns using Psychological First Aid to ensure initial support to survivors of harm and selfcare for the reporter
• Participate in and contribute to Sudan PSEA/Protection/GBV networks and cluster forums and ensure Country Program staff and programs are kept abreast of global and local initiatives and resources;
• Become familiar with and facilitate adherence with Common Humanitarian Standards (CHS), CRS Respect Equity Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) priorities, and other relevant standards and strategies;
• Provide regular updates to CRS Sudan leadership on agency and Country Office SDP efforts, lessons learned, and best practices; and ensure protection mainstreaming are regular agenda items in leadership and staff meetings;

BACKGROUND, EXPERIENCE & REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study (Human Rights Law, Gender, International Development, Social Work, Psychology, etc.) or equivalent professional experience.
• Five or more years of relevant experience with two years in the relevant sector (safeguarding, protection, gender, SDP, PSEA) in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities. NGO experience preferred. 
• Experience advising or providing direction to staff by using effective interpersonal and communication skills; influence others both within and outside of functional areas of responsibility. 
• Experience creating and rolling out culturally sensitive training and capacity-building programs, materials, and communications.
• Solid organizational/time management skills, with the ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in a fast-paced, multi-tasking, diverse team environment.
• Strong analytical and report writing skills; strong computer skills including facility with standard desktop applications.
• Humble and approachable; a problem solver who seeks to find constructive solutions within compliance and policy requirements.

REQUIRED LANGUAGES

• English and Arabic fluency

TRAVEL

• Varied; 60% in-country travel including to Darfur and other program activity sites

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Ability to easily collaborate with others, and influence without formal authority, working towards common goals and objectives.
• Good strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented
• Ability to explain ideas and processes clearly and address sensitive subject matters. Ability to facilitate discussions with various levels of staff. 
• Personal and professional commitment to treat all people with fairness, honesty, dignity and respect.
• Knowledge of SDP, protection, PFA, safeguarding, and PSEA principles, standards, and best practices
• Experience using and training others in Psychological First Aid (PFA)

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 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

WORK CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT CONDITIONS

CRS has an office in Port Sudan and 9 sub-offices across Darfur. This position requires frequent travel to sub-office locations and activity implementation sites such as food distributions.  Some travel will require driving over rough roads and overnight stays in modest lodging.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Internal – CP: Senior Management Team; Safeguarding Focal Points; MEAL Unit
• Internal – Regional & Global: Global Safeguarding Advisor for your Region; Humanitarian Response Department (HRD) Advisors; Regional Directors/Deputy Directors; other Global Technical Advisors
• External: Local implementing partners, including Caritas; NGO and UN Safeguarding Staff; Donor Safeguarding and SDP Representatives; local protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) Networks

 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.

EOE/M/F/D/V – CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (For all US and International positions)