Catholic Relief Services
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.
Job Summary:
Position Scope and Scale: The war in Ukraine has created a massive humanitarian crisis within that country and sent millions of refugees into neighboring countries. In response to this crisis CRS has quickly taken on a large role in assisting refugees in Moldova, as well as providing humanitarian assistance to displaced people inside Ukraine in partnership with Caritas Ukraine and Caritas SPES.
As Country Representative you will lead, manage and advance the programming and operations objectives in serving those affected by the war in Ukraine, in both countries. You will also oversee CRS’ development programs inside Moldova, that existed prior to the Ukraine emergency. Your strategic leadership will enable you to advance CRS’ reputation and impact while you proactively manage security and mitigate security risks and liabilities. Given the two countries and evolving contexts in which the CP operates, a considerable amount of travel will be required.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- Champion and lead the vision, mission and strategy. Lead the design of medium and long-term goals. Ensure program and operations leads coordinate their objectives in alignment with the strategy.
- Ensure that all projects meet and exceed donor expectations and are designed and implemented for maximum impact and reach. Ensure the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures.
- Effectively manage senior programming and operations talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring for Head of Programs, Country Manager(s), Head of Operations, and other senior staff. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans for large and complex projects and the recruitment process of senior staff.
- Lead the development of strategic partnerships with national and international organizations that leverages resources, reputation, and expertise in line with CRS partnership principles. Ensure strong representation to key stakeholders, including Church partners, local and national government, US government, UN agencies, and international donors.
- Manage and mitigate risk through monitoring national and regional issues that may impact staff and programming. Ensure all staff understand and adhere to CRS staff safety and security policies and plans and ensure the updating of such plans.
- Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Ensure compliance in operations functions. Provide oversight and analysis regarding monthly expenditures.
- Lead and direct the pursuit of strategic growth opportunities, prepositioning and capture planning. Particular focus on continued partnership with HQ Charitable Giving Dept. in stewardship & of key Leadership Giving awards.
- Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Promote accountability, learning and knowledge management overseeing application of the MEAL policy, as well as cross-sectoral and cross-department learning.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Excellent strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
- Excellent relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
- Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching/mentoring skills.
- Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
Required Languages – English fluency.
Travel – Must be willing to travel up to 40% of the time within the CP’s countries and the region.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Senior Management Team (HoP, HoOPs, Country Manager(s), Chief of Party(s)).
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: RD, DRDs, RTAs including Regional Security Coordinator, Fellow CRs in EMECA, Charitable Giving, HRD & HQ Colleagues in all other departments.
External: Local Church, Caritas and other faith-based partners in both countries; INGO and UN colleagues, CI member organizations, etc.
QUALIFICATIONS
Basic Qualifications
- Master’s degree in international development, International Relations or a related field.
- 10 or more years’ experience managing complex relief and development programs
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience successfully managing a variety of complex, high-value projects from multiple international donors, including USAID, EU, DFID, and UN agencies; understanding of relevant donor regulations.
- Demonstrated experience in successful cultivation of large-scale private donor awards
- Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Experience working with Church partners a plus.
- Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching and mentoring senior program staff.
- Ability to represent the agency at high levels.
- Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
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
***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.
Disclaimer*: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.*
Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.
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 welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, 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 an Equal Opportunity Employer.
How to apply
*Closing date: 16-Nov-22