Deputy Director of the Land Restoration Platform/ASA (Program Manager II) At Catholic Relief Services

Water and Soil for Agriculture (ASA):

Catholic Relief Services has implemented a land restoration approach based on the implementation of the Water and Soil for Agriculture (ASA) program, which aims to expand sustainable agricultural practices that prevent degradation and contribute to the restoration of natural resources. . This approach is implemented through a multi-country intervention with a vision for sustainable and scaled change that contributes to the improvement of the livelihoods of smallholder farmers – with goals of creating systems that can sustain agricultural systems and livelihoods based in water resources and restored soils. Soil restoration in agricultural landscapes is a complex process with a long-term vision in search of actors with equal vision and good preparation.

Position Summary:

Leads the implementation, reporting and strategic directions of a multi-country project portfolio of the Land Restoration Platform – Water and Soil for Agriculture (ASA); and supervises the managers of the respective projects. Co-leads the strategic direction of the Platform, ensuring that projects respond to our common vision, the scaling strategy and alignment/complementarity of projects. Manages robust relationships with country programs, ensuring effective processes are in place to support high-quality progress and impact on the work. Plays an important role as a mentor to project managers, ensuring the growth of management skills at the mid-management level of the ASA Platform. Provides robust strategic direction to its projects ensuring that all projects contribute to common objectives.

Job responsibilities:

• Actively participate in the steering group of the ASA Platform, guiding an adaptive management process that aims at scaling and the high impact of our actions as an agency supporting the most vulnerable.
• Provide management, guidance and technical oversight of all new and existing multi-country projects throughout the project cycle; from project design, to commissioning, implementation and closure – in line with quality principles and project standards for CRS. Ensure compliance with donor guidelines and industry best practices.
• Unify and align traditionally isolated projects in individual countries to a single, aligned, multi-country implementation vision that contributes to CRS global and regional scaling goals.
• Establish and maintain relationships with donors, co-lead periodic meetings with them.
• Manage, supervise and provide mentoring to the management talent of the different projects. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, collaborate in the design of individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct supervisees.
• Ensure implementation of the MEAL CRS (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) program in all projects under your charge. Ensure the dissemination and implementation of the Knowledge Management agenda, facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency’s knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
• Contribute to the proactive search for opportunities for new financing to ensure the growth of the Platform’s portfolio, in line with the strategic priorities of the agency, regional and the different CPs.
• Contribute with technical and strategic inputs to ensure quality proposals, in line with the priorities of the ASA Platform, and that meet agency and donor standards.
• Co-lead the development of budgets, staffing plans, and personnel activities for proposals.
• In coordination with project managers and country liaisons, supervise technical assistance and capacity building activities for staff and partner organizations in order to improve the quality of impact of the projects.
• In coordination with country teams, oversee the identification, evaluation and strengthening of relevant partners for the correct application of collaborative concepts, tools and approaches.
• In coordination with the financial platform manager, ensure the financial execution of the projects – on time, with quality and in line with the plans and the appropriate use of the donation.
• Establish and maintain relationships with peer organizations, research organizations and other institutions.
• Participate in forums positioning ASA and CRS and promote the work of CRS.

Background, Experience and Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in International Development, International Relations, Agriculture, Agribusiness or related specialty is required.
• Minimum of 5 years of project management experience with relevant field interventions, preferably at least 3 years of work in the area of ​​soils, water, climate change, conservation, agribusiness and agriculture.
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects, preferably multi-country and with an international NGO.
• Extensive experience in project management, financial execution and project design with grants from various private and public donors, including USAID.
• Proven ability to write high-quality technical proposals.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations and facilitating collaborative processes.
• Habilidades y experiencia MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning).
• Experience in managing work teams, personnel and capabilities that lead to an environment of collaboration and learning.
• Experience using MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Online Conference Applications, management information systems.
• Current driver’s license.

Personal skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound judgments and good decision-making and offer innovative solutions.
• Strong relationship management skills. Ability to relate to people at all levels, internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship. Ability to solve challenges in a collaborative and non-confrontational way.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful and solution and/or results oriented.

Foreign Language Required: Advanced English (spoken and written).

Availability to travel: Willingness to travel 50% to the different countries where the Platform operates

Key Labor Relationships:

Supervision: Project Managers who make up the land restoration platform.

Internal: Actively participates in the ASA Platform steering group. Coordinates closely with members of the ASA Platform: Director, Managers, Coordinators, Specialists, MEAL and Communications. In particular, he coordinates closely with the Deputy COP of the ASA2 multi-country Project. Coordinates closely with Country Programs: Country Representatives and Program Managers.

External: Coordinates closely with regional actors. Supports relationships with local and national actors such as: cooperatives, cooperatives, national government agencies, and other development operating organizations. Establishes and maintains good communication and coordination with government actors, the private sector, media, partners, donors and other organizations of interest to CRS.

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 competencies are rooted in CRS’ mission, values ​​and guiding principles and are used by each staff member to fulfill their responsibilities and achieve desired results.

• Personal Responsibility : Consistently takes responsibility for his or her own actions.
• Acts with Integrity: Consistently models values ​​aligned with the Guiding Principles and mission of CRS. He considers himself honest.
• Generates and maintains trust : Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborate with others : Work effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to learn : Seek experiences that can change perspective or provide the opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead change : Continuously seek ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others: Develops staff’s ability to reach their full potential and improve team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset : Understands role in translating, communicating and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Disclaimer: This vacancy announcement is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties and responsibilities related to the position. The duration of the hiring of this position is subject to the duration of the project and/or country program funds, as well as other internal processes based on local law. By applying for this job, it is understood and acknowledged that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation and human trafficking.

Furthermore, it is understood that, if you are a successful candidate, you will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and your personal/professional references will be requested to assess behaviors related to the safeguarding issues above.