Technical Advisor for Environment and Watershed Management (Iloilo-based)

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.

Country Background:

CRS Philippines was established in 1945 and is the longest-running CRS country program in the world. Currently, CRS Philippines focuses its work on peacebuilding, emergency response, disaster risk reduction, and homes and communities. The Philippines country program has more than 120 staff with the main office in Manila and sub-offices in Davao, and Cotabato. CRS programs are implemented through a national network of partners, in close coordination with local, municipal and national government agencies. The Country Program also provides support to CRS’s work in Indonesia, Timor Leste, and the Federated States of Micronesia, and has drawn international recognition for the impact, timeliness, and innovation of its programs and approaches.

Job Summary:

As the Technical Advisor, you will manage and provide technical oversight on the implementation of the Iloilo Water Resilience Initiative (IWARI) Project, ensure effective systems and processes are in place that supports high-quality programming, advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of the project outcome for the three-year Coca-Cola funded project, IWARI.

IWARI aims to enhance water availability from the Tigum-Aganan Watershed and Iloilo-Batiano Watershed for the sustained benefit of upstream and downstream communities, including Iloilo City, by building capacity and accompanying stakeholders in Iloilo to sustainably manage their natural resources.

Responsibilities for Internal Candidates

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Organize, manage, and lead the implementation of all activities throughout relevant project cycles – implementation and close-out – to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. Ensure project team and project consultants use the appropriate systems and tools.
• Champion learning with project staff and project consultants. Analyze and evaluate project performance data following MEAL policy. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.
• Act as a key resource person in project design and proposal development in respective programming area, gap-filling and taking on growth responsibilities, as needed.
• Coordinate the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
• Help identify, assess, and strengthen partnerships relevant to watershed management boards and protected area management boards of the Tigum-Aganan and Iloilo-Batiano Watershed.applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools, and approaches.
• Lead in realizing the two key outcomes of the IWARI project namely: (1) Resource areas within the project boundary are well managed and (2) Management bodies within the project scope are implementing a sound, cohesive and integrated community-based management plans.
• Contribute to CRS’ influence strategy in the Philippines and actively engage with government partners to bring programming to scale. Support CP staff understanding and capacity to support the influence agenda.
• Align with related projects of CRS such as the Climate Resilient Cities project and coordinate project planning activities.
• Coordinate and monitor financial and material resources relevant to project needs. Through planning and oversight ensure efficient use of project resources.
• Be responsible for the timely submission of quality reports to the donor.

Qualifications for Internal Candidates

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development, environmental science, forestry, water resources management, biodiversity, natural resource management or other relevant disciplines. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing projects related to watershed management, conservation, reforestation, water conservation, biodiversity, terrestrial resource sustainability and/or livelihood, preferably withan international NGO.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations, including government and faith-based organizations.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Required Languages – English, Tagalog Ilonggo required.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 30%

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Able to adjust to shifting project conditions.
• Ability to influence regulatory and governance management bodies and other government organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors.
• Demonstrated ability to write high-quality technical proposals.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations.
• MEAL skills and experience required.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Project management experience in conservation, biodiversity, and/or reforestation projects is highly desirable.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations such as PAMB, WAQMA, Watershed Management boards etc.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
• GIS knowledge and experience is an advantage.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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.

• 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none): none

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: CRC project team members, CRS HoP, MEAL Program Manager, Operations Manager, Finance Manager

External: Local partner, local governments within the target watershed areas and related national government agencies (DENR, DA etc).

***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

Interested applicants may submit their application on or before April 22, 2024 using this link. This position is open for Filipino nationals only.