Role overview
What you'll be stepping into
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is seeking a Technical Advisor II – Early Childhood Development (ECD) to provide specialized technical expertise and guidance for strengthening child protection, care and development systems in Uganda.
The Technical Advisor II will serve as a subject matter expert in Early Childhood Development and support project implementation, systems strengthening, capacity development and learning activities aimed at improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families.
The position will work closely with government institutions, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations and community stakeholders to contribute to improved policies, practices, service quality and sustainable systems change.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The Technical Advisor II – Early Childhood Development will be responsible for the following:
1. Provide Technical Leadership in Early Childhood Development
Serve as the project's subject matter expert on Early Childhood Development.
Provide technical guidance on ECD approaches based on the Nurturing Care Framework.
Support approaches covering health, nutrition, responsive caregiving, early learning, safety and security, and caregiver well-being.
Coordinate with the global technical counterpart and draw on specialized expertise where necessary.
Ensure project strategies, tools, training materials, implementation approaches and partner support reflect current evidence, technical standards for program quality and the Ugandan context.
2. Strengthen ECD Systems and Practices
Provide technical assistance to strengthen ECD systems, standards and practices serving children and families in Uganda.
Support government, civil society, faith-based and community actors to develop, adapt and implement relevant policies, regulations and standards.
Support the development and implementation of standard operating procedures, tools and technical guidance at national and targeted subnational levels.
3. Build Capacity and Improve Implementation Quality
Develop ECD competencies and training materials.
Provide coaching, training, supportive supervision and technical troubleshooting to project teams, partners and relevant system actors.
Strengthen the quality of ECD implementation and improve program results.
Support adherence to established standards and help address performance gaps effectively and efficiently.
4. Support Integrated Project Implementation
Work closely with the project team, global technical counterpart, resource partners, subject matter experts, MEAL personnel and implementation teams.
Promote coordinated and mutually reinforcing technical approaches across different areas of the project.
Contribute to the implementation of a cohesive project strategy.
5. Support MEAL, Evidence and Adaptive Learning
Collaborate with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team to ensure relevant technical data are captured, interpreted and used effectively.
Support the use of evidence to inform programming and strengthen practice and accountability.
Contribute to documenting project learning and promoting continuous improvement.
6. Monitor Technical Quality and Manage Risks
Monitor technical quality and identify national and subnational issues that may affect ECD strengthening outcomes.
Support risk mitigation within the area of technical specialization.
Track safeguarding concerns, contextual risks and implementation challenges related to ECD.
Recommend or support corrective actions where necessary.
7. Reporting, Documentation and Knowledge Sharing
Provide technically sound inputs for milestone reports, partner and government updates, donor reports, learning products, briefs and other internal or external communications.
Contribute to technical knowledge sharing and documentation of project experiences.
Participate actively in relevant in-country and global working groups and professional networks.
Help translate project learning into improved practices.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Applicants should demonstrate the following knowledge and skills:
Advanced ability to work independently, make sound decisions and demonstrate initiative.
Strong and consistent attention to detail.
Excellent time-management and multitasking abilities.
Experience with budget planning and reporting systems.
Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Ability to work with a variety of computer software applications.
Strong analytical, coordination and technical problem-solving capabilities.
Required Language
Strong written and spoken English is required.
Travel Requirements
The successful candidate must be willing and able to travel for up to 30% of their working time to project locations and field offices outside Kampala.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None.
Qualifications and Experience
Basic Qualifications
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
A Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
At least eight (8) years of work experience in the relevant departmental area of specialization.
Previous experience managing multiple projects within a single department.
Previous experience managing departmental projects.
Experience working with government, civil society, faith-based or community actors.
Experience applying technical knowledge in the relevant area of specialization through standards, evidence and guidance to support program implementation.
Experience in facilitation, coaching, training and capacity strengthening.
Experience collaborating across technical areas and contributing to integrated project implementation.
Experience using program data and learning to identify gaps, manage risks, improve quality and inform program adaptation.
Preferred Qualifications
The following will be an added advantage:
A Master’s degree.
Demonstrated working knowledge of Catholic Church organizational structures and Catholic Social Teaching.
Previous experience working in multi-country development programs.
Experience working in complex, multi-partner or multi-country development programs involving national and subnational government, multiple technical partners, civil society organizations and other program stakeholders.
CRS Agency Competencies
All CRS staff are expected to demonstrate the following competencies:
Personal Accountability: Consistently takes responsibility for one's own actions.
Acts with Integrity: Models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission and demonstrates honesty.
Builds and Maintains Trust: Demonstrates consistency between words and actions.
Collaborates with Others: Works effectively within intercultural and diverse teams.
Open to Learn: Seeks experiences that may broaden perspectives and provide opportunities to learn.
Agency Leadership Competencies
CRS also expects staff to demonstrate the following leadership competencies:
Lead Change: Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through agility, openness and innovation.
Develops and Recognizes Others: Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and improve team and agency performance.
Strategic Mindset: Understands how the role contributes to translating, communicating and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
Application Deadline
18 September 2026 at 5:00 PM
How to apply