Technical Advisor

Job Description

CRS JOB ADVERT – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL

WOMEN ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

This position is open to Sierra Leonean nationals only.

CRS is recruiting for Position: X 1 – Technical Advisor, PMI REACH Malaria.

If you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below job descriptions, and follow the instructions to submit your application package. 

Job Title: Technical Advisor, PMI REACH Malaria

Department: Programs

Reports To:        Program Manager

Country:             Catholic Relief Services Sierra Leone

Duty Location: CRS Freetown

Job Summary: 

CRS seeks a Technical Advisor for the USG-funded Reaching every at-risk community and household with malaria services (REACH Malaria) global project. REACH aims to provide implementation support services and technical assistance to countries to accelerate progress in comprehensive delivery of facility and community-based malaria services, including malaria case management, prevention of malaria in pregnancy (MiP), Perennial Malaria Chemoprevention (PMC), health systems strengthening, including community health systems, data collection and use for service delivery, other malaria prevention interventions.

The Malaria Technical Advisor will report to the Program Manager and will take a leadership role in ensuring quality technical implementation of activities, meet stated goals and reporting requirements. S/he will coordinate with relevant ministry of health officials at national and subnational level, PATH technical teams and other malaria implementing partners on technical issues of the project.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical solutions to the REACH Malaria country team for strategic planning and how to apply program design and implementation standards, best practices, tools, and M&E, ensuring high-quality implementation. 
• Lead technical and monitoring aspects of project activity implementation in coordination with the PMI REACH country team and ensure adherence to PMI technical guidance and global best practices.     
• Provide technical support to the MOH through the national malaria program, ensuring high-quality interventions across all technical areas, while collaborating with MoH technical experts in development and use of policies, guidelines, and training materials, technical support, supervision, and mentorship programs.
• Maintain current technical knowledge on malaria and other related public health topics and manage introduction and scale-up of best practices and technical interventions, while sharing knowledge through active participation in malaria-related and other relevant technical working groups. 
• Work with the MoH to actively use data for decision-making and to identify how malaria control activities and the impact can be sustained over time. 
• Contribute to learning and training strategies and agendas/curricula, conducting trainings and workshops and mentoring and coaching CRS staff and in-country stakeholders, including MoH and NMCP. 
• Contribute to knowledge management and learning through collecting and analyzing program data, evaluating strategic projects, assisting with measuring program impact, capturing and sharing lessons learned and best practices, and research and internal reports. 
• Collaborate with PMI REACH and CRS global technical advisors for diagnostics, malaria, maternal, newborn and child health, data and digital health, for their technical inputs into project deliverables and activity plans. 
• Manage and supervise technical teams, ensuring adherence to CRS performance management standards.
• Assist the Programme Manager in developing annual work plans, budgets and performance reports. 

• Actively support external representation of the project and CRS in terms of meeting, training etc

Other responsibilities can be assigned as and when necessary.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, medical sciences, clinical fields, or other disciplines related to the program area required. 
• Minimum of eight (8) years of providing technical leadership in designing and implementing malaria control, public health or related programs in service delivery activities.
• Experience supporting donor-funded health projects, with preference for malaria and other public health interventions.
• Previous experience collaborating closely with National Malaria Control Programs and other government and civil society stakeholders within the country. 
• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in malaria. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach. 
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with key stakeholders in the malaria services space in Sierra Leone, including malaria case management, prevention of MiP, SMC, surveillance, health systems strengthening, data collection and use for service delivery and other MNCH programs.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.
• 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 government health systems. Understanding of partnership principles.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in public health, medical sciences, or other fields related to the program is an advantage. 

• Active member/participant in one or more malaria-focused technical working groups, e.g. RBM or other. 

• Highly experienced in working with Malaria programmes and maintaining good relationship with the National Malaria Control Programme and other directorates of the Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone

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.

Required Languages – Strong written and oral communication skills in English required. Proficiency in English and Krio is preferred.

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

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 and 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 principles.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: REACH Malaria Program Manager, CRS Sierra Leone Head of Programming, Country Representative, other Malaria/Health project Teams, CRS Global Technical Advisors, Technical Advisors in other REACH implementing countries, Country Operations.

External: REACH Project Prime Recipient, other consortium members, Sierra Leone Government (Ministry of Health, National Malaria Control Program), other Malaria and health partners in Sierra Leone

About Us

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States of America to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as part of our staff and as partners, people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS works with church and non-church organizations to assist the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality.

CRS is the Major Subcontractor of the USG-funded contract led by PATH for the project titled “PMI REACH Malaria (Reaching Every At-Risk Community & Household with Malaria Services).”

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.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to safeguarding-related topics. 

Also send a copy of your application package to the desk Officers, Ministry of Employment and Social Security, New England and Extension Offices in Applicants’ Locations 

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

To apply, please send in your application, updated CV and a cover letter to the email below:

sl_recruitment@crs.org on the subject/heading: TECHNICAL ADVISOR.

Closing Date for the receipt of application packages is Friday 16th January 2026, at 17:30.