Chief of Party I – Aliwili Project, Senegal At Catholic Relief Services

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Location: Ziguinchor, Senegal

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.

Catholic Relief Services has worked in Senegal for over 60 years. As one of the first international NGOs to begin working in Senegal after it gained independence in 1960, CRS’ long-term presence has allowed it to respond effectively to changing conditions within the country. USAID has recently awarded CRS Senegal with an extension to the Aliwili II project which previously focused on natural resource management and the conflicts that can result in inequitable management of these resources. The project has been granted an additional $5 million to focus on the reintegration of victims of conflict who were previously engaged in the conflict and the community acceptance of these actors. The project will run through June 2024 and a qualified Chief of Party (COP) with previous experience in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) is highly desired to lead the project team and partner initiatives. The COP in collaboration with the Country Representative will be tasked with maintaining high-level relationships with representatives of the government of Senegal overseeing the DDR process and USAID and the US Embassy.

Job Summary:

As Chief of Party I you will provide vision, leadership and overall management of a project to serve the poor and vulnerable. Your strategic leadership, management and technical knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming and advance the position of CRS as a leading agency in Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion field. As a senior leader you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.

RESPONSIBILITIES

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 USAID 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 the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per 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 USAID grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to USAID. 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.
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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications

· Masters degree in International Development, International Relations or a relevant technical area. PhD preferred.

· 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.

Basic Qualifications

Masters degree in International Development, International Relations or a relevant technical area. PhD preferred.
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.

Required Languages – Fluency in English and French is required. Ability to converse in any local languages (Wolof, Jola, Pulaar) is a plus.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel locally up to 15%.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

Established leader in sector as demonstrated by peer reviewed publications, conference presentations, key relationships, and past innovations in the sector, etc.
Demonstrated experience of successful program management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics, especially with USAID projects.
Excellent and demonstrated track record in donor relations, especially with USAID. Strong relationship management with government actors and partners.
Previous experience in Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration is highly desired.
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.

Agency REDI 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.

Personal Accountability
Acts with Integrity
Collaborates with Others
Builds and Maintains Trust
Open to Learn
Strategic Mindset
Develops and Recognizes Others
Leads Change

Supervisory Responsibilities: Deputy Chief of Party, Project Grant Accountant, MEAL Technical Advisor, Logistics Manager

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Country Representative, Head of Programs, Head of Operations, Deputy Regional Director, Regional Technical Advisors, HQ specialists

External: All project partners, Government officials, public and private sector stakeholders, donors, industry experts, local/international NGOs, and local and international Catholic agencies.

***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. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

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.