Technical Advisor Sr, Commercial Lending Partnerships

NOTE: This is a remote position; CRS will only consider candidates who are based in countries where we have existing offices.  

The Senior Technical Advisor (STA), Commercial Lending Partnerships serves as a technical leader on commercial lending partnerships and innovative financing approaches that expand access to capital for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in critical areas such as water-smart agriculture, drinking water, and sanitation linked to CRS programming.  The STA leads the design, adaptation, and advancement of partnership models and financial structures that mobilize private-sector financing in support of CRS Programming, while prioritizing implementation across El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua Working closely with global innovative finance unit, regional and country teams, and stakeholders, the STA develops and shares scalable approaches, technical guidance, and organizational learning that strengthen CRS’s capacity to engage commercial lenders and leverage market-based financing solutions across regions. . 

• Lead CRS strategy for strengthening commercial lending partnerships as mechanisms for advancing inclusive financing for SMEs and vulnerable populations in prioritized programmatic areas such as water-smart agriculture, drinking water, youth and sanitation.
• Develop and oversee strategic CRS’s relationships with leading commercial banks and financial institutions in the regions, while understanding their banking priorities, lending restrictions, operational incentives, and risk appetites that can inform programming globally.
• Serve as CRS's technical lead on commercial lending solutions for SMEs, including guarantees, first-loss structures, subordinated loans, technical assistance, and other financing mechanisms. 
• Develop and document approaches, tools, and guidance that can be adapted across CRS regions and country programs 
• Lead the readiness process and capacity-strengthening efforts for regional and country program teams to effectively engage financial institutions and implement market-based financing approaches.
• Promote cross-regional learning and knowledge exchange related to commercial lending partnerships and innovative finance. 
• Support regional and country teams, as well as ongoing initiatives such as Azure, Isidro Fund and Blue Harvest identify opportunities for partnering and unlocking local lending from commercial banks, working closely with CRS’s global innovative finance team.
• Provide technical leadership in proposal development, project design, and ongoing program management-related to commercial lending and blended finance to ensure programming consistency with CRS standards, donor requirements, and emerging industry practices.
• Contribute to CRS's knowledge management and learning agenda for innovative finance by documenting promising practices, lessons learned, case studies, partnership models, and evidence from regional implementation for broader organizational use.
• Monitor developments and emerging trends in commercial banking, impact investing, blended finance, and SME financing, and advise CRS leadership, regional teams, and country programs on opportunities to strengthen financing partnerships and resource mobilization strategies. 
• Represent CRS at global and regional forums, networks, and partnerships related to SME lending, blended finance, and private-sector engagement, enhancing CRS’s profile and contributing to sector learning and collaboration.

• Deep understanding of commercial bank priorities, lending restrictions, incentives, and operations, and/or experience working directly within commercial banks to execute SME lending.
• Extensive knowledge of finance structures and mechanisms used in development programming.
• 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.
• Excellent strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proactive, resourceful and results oriented.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in finance, economics, business administration or related field.
• Ten years of work experience in with progressive responsibilities in blended finance or related, ideally with an international NGO, commercial bank, or finance institution. 
• With five years overseas experience in multiple regions as a technical advisor and/or program manager of a Commercial Lending Partnerships Progr and/or multi-sectoral project with a lending institution component. 
• Track record of working with donors, development banks, and funds to unlock local bank lending for SMEs.

• Experience working in agriculture and water sectors 
• Demonstrated experience working in multi-cultural teams, with LACRO (Latin and Central America region) experience strongly 

Agency 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.

What we offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.  Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.  CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  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 safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

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.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

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