Head of Operations, Laos and Myanmar at Catholic Relief Services

Job Title: Head of Operations, Laos and Myanmar
Reports to: Country Representative, Laos and Myanmar
Department: Asia
Salary Grade: 11

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.
Background:
CRS has worked in Laos since 1994 in school feeding, literacy, inclusive education, and nutrition programming. Since 2012, CRS has served over 25 million meals in schools in Savannakhet province through USDA-funded McGovern-Dole school feeding programs, which incorporate early grade literacy development, water, sanitation, and hygiene, school gardens, and community mobilization into a comprehensive package of support to rural schools. CRS is the in-country implementing partner of Purdue University on the Lao-American Nutrition Initiative (2019-2023), which works with the Lao Ministry of Health to improve the research capacity of government institutions and universities. CRS is currently expanding its school feeding program as the lead implementing partner for literacy and WASH activities under a new USDA McGovern-Dole school feeding program led by World Food Programme (WFP).
CRS has been engaged in Myanmar for more than a decade supporting activities of local partners, with a focus on Karuna Mission Social Solidarity (KMSS). CRS opened an office in Yangon in 2011 and current programming areas include Agriculture, Health and Nutrition, and Emergency Response. Main areas of projects include Kachin and Chin with grants from various donor agencies.
Job Summary:
As a member of the Country Program’s (CP) Senior Management Team for Laos and Myanmar, you will provide leadership and managem ent of the operational functions – Finance, Human Resources (HR), Supply Chain Management (SCM), Administration, Information and Communication Technology, Security and Audit – in support of the Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) mission to serve the poor and vulnerable. You will promote stewardship of resources, ensure principled compliance, proactively manage risk, and lead operational improvements. As part of the Senior Management Team you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.

Required Languages – English
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel from assignment location in Laos up to 20%.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Finance Manager (Laos), Operations Manager (Laos), Supply Chain Manager (Laos), Sr. Finance Officer (Myanmar), Admin Officer (Myanmar)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of multiple public donors’ regulations, including USDA, highly preferred.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Knowledge of procurement and office administration/management issues.
• Ability to represent the agency at high levels
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in International Development, Business Administration, Finance or relevant field required.
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in a management position with progressive responsibilities. Experience with an international NGO and experience outside country of origin preferred.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education; additional education may substitute for some experience.
• Understanding of financial systems, including budgeting and budget/expense analysis experience. Knowledge of financial reporting software highly preferred / use of CRS Insight system highly preferred.

*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 countrie s 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

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.