Chief of Party, Disaster Risk Reduction Policy and Practice – Nepal At Catholic Relief Services

Note: this position is contingent upon donor approval.

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international humanitarian agency (NGO) based in the United States working to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries regardless of race, religion or nationality. CRS programs in Nepal currently supports four strategic areas, including Homes and communities, disaster risk reduction and climate change, agriculture and livelihood, and anticipatory actions and emergency response. CRS strives to improve livelihood and resilience of marginalized and vulnerable communities by catalyzing innovation, excellence and system strengthening efforts toward improved integral human development. CRS aims to catalyze transformative changes in lives of marginalized and vulnerable households in country through improved access to safe and dignified housing, improved community resilience to disaster, shocks and stresses, and diversified livelihood opportunities, especially to women and youths. CRS Nepal has been instrumental in implementing multifaceted emergency relief and recovery programs playing a pivotal role in coordinating recovery and reconstruction efforts in responding to the impacts of earthquakes, monsoons, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Building upon proven and new partnerships and expertise, CRS works with local partners and government to create long-term resilience for a brighter future for all.

Job Summary:

As Chief of Party, you will provide vision, leadership and overall management upcoming project on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Policy and Practice. Your strategic leadership, management and technical knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming, ensure proper stewardship of project resources to serve the poor and vulnerable and advance the position of CRS as a leading humanitarian and development agency in Nepal. The COP will also be responsible for building sustainable partnerships across local stakeholders, fostering an inclusive and participatory environment, and guiding the implementation of the project toward the goals.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all aspects of the development, implementation and consolidation of the project, including sharing how the project contributes to the thought leadership of the industry. Serve as the primary point of contact to BHA as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders.
• Ensure the project is designed and implemented to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability. Ensure coordination between program and operations leads. Ensure that CRS program quality standards are adhered to by MEAL policy and procedures.
• Effectively manage senior programming and operations talent. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of senior staff.
• 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 with BHA grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to BHA. Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors.
• Oversee the development of communication strategies and materials, complying with donor and CRS’ branding and marketing requirements and procedures. Represent CRS programming in various platforms, highlighting innovative work. Publish program results and deliver presentations.
• Coordinate relationships with consortium partner organizations, including organization of review/planning workshops. Contribute to coordination of the roles and activities of staff from other consortium member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles.
• 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. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high-quality training and technical assistance.

Required Languages – English Fluency required. Proficiency in Nepali is preferable.

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

Key Working Relationships:

• Supervisory: Directly supervisessenior program leadership (Strategic Learning Advisor, MEAL Manager, others)
• Internal: Country Manager, Head of Programming, Thematic leads, Operations Manager, Finance Manager, Human Resources Manager, Deputy Regional Directors, Regional Technical Advisors, Nepal Country Program Staff
• *External:*BHA Agreement Officer, Agreement Officer Representative, Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA), Provincial Governments and corresponding Ministries/Departments, Sub-recipients, UN agencies, other USG Recipients for the DRR and Resilience, other stakeholders in Karnali and Sudur Paschim, Local Governments. The project is implemented through agreements with Government and civil society partners.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Strong 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 skills.
• Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in development studies, international relations, or a related field. Three years of applicable experience can substitute for a master’s degree.
• Required minimum of 7 years of progressively increasing management responsibility in international humanitarian and development projects
• 7 or more years’ relevant management and technical experience.
• 5 years experience managing donor funds, including multi country grants. Strong knowledge and experience in budget management.
• 5 years of staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching senior program staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Recognized leader in sector as demonstrated by peer reviewed publications, conference presentations etc.
• Demonstrated experience in adaptive management and learning techniques is highly encouraged. Proven success serving in a leadership role for a project addressing issues related to resilience, emergency response, natural resource management, disaster risk reduction through nexus approach, preferably in South Asia.
• Record of successful USG funded program management, including management of multi-activity projects, complicated logistics and budgets, as well as commodities, proven leadership skills managing projects of a similar size and scope.
• Experience of managing projects involving multiple sub-awardees, and experience of capacity building of the sub-awardees
• Demonstrated experience recruiting, developing, and managing staff, as well as experience in managing programmatic and financial reporting.
• Prior experience working in South Asia, familiarity with Nepal’s DRR governance, social, political, economic, and cultural landscape, and demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and partners.
• An understanding and demonstrated commitment to the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
• Ability to represent and present at high levels.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
• Candidates with GESI diversity is a plus, including gender (female, other); marginalized groups; persons with disability; and, origin from geographically marginalized location

Agency REDI 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.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

What we offer:

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.