Head of Programming I, Moldova & Ukraine At Catholic Relief Services

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services CRS) 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.

CRS in Moldova and Ukraine

CRS has operated in different capacities in Moldova since 2004 and in Ukraine since 2015. CRS works with local partners to implement an integrated, multisectoral program portfolio of humanitarian and development assistance. In Ukraine, CRS works in partnership with Caritas Ukraine and Caritas Spes Ukraine, to deliver life-saving humanitarian and recovery assistance to vulnerable households affected by the war, including home and infrastructure repairs, protection, basic needs and livelihoods. In Moldova, CRS is focused on meeting both the immediate and long-term needs of Ukrainian refugees and vulnerable Moldovan families, including cash, education and psychosocial support (PSS), and shelter programs. CRS is also working with governmental and non-governmental partners to end the placement of children in residential care institutions through the Changing the Way We Care initiative. CRS’s portfolio is resourced by institutional donors and private emergency funding. This position oversees the programming portfolio in both countries.

Job Summary:

As a member of the Country Program (CP) Senior Management Team, you will provide strategic direction, leadership, and management of the CP’s programming to ensure the establishment and successful implementation of high-quality emergency, recovery and development programs serving those affected by the war, and the most vulnerable. Your leadership, management and knowledge will ensure that the CP and partners deliver high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its programming. Your interest in and passion working in support to local partners will ensure that the key regional and CP approaches of Advancing Local Leadership and Catalyzing Outcomes at Scale are at the foundation of the CP work. As part of the Senior Management Team, you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Country Representative (CR) provide strategic direction for the design of the CP strategic frameworks and plans, including the development of resource mobilization strategies to optimize the impact of programming interventions in line with regional and agency strategic priorities.
• In coordination with CP, partner and regional staff, oversee the business development cycle. Lead high-quality project design to ensure quality proposals per agency and donor standards balancing scope, scale, time, budget and staff capacity.
• Coordinate with CP operations leads and Program Managers to ensure appropriate project budgeting and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Support and coach Program Managers in the planning and implementation of project activities across the programming portfolio and ensure integration of program interventions.
• Ensure technical assistance and capacity strengthening for project teams and partners in project management standards and related MEAL, business development and operational activities. Identify training opportunities, develop training curriculums and deliver trainings.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of appropriate partnerships and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Effectively manage talent. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being in both countries. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance assessment for direct reports. Contribute to developing staffing plans for projects and to the recruitment process of senior project staff.
• 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 implementation of the MEAL policy, as well as cross-sectoral and cross-department learning.

Required Languages – English fluency (written and verbal) is required, knowledge of Ukrainian, Russian or Romanian is an advantage.

Travel – the position may be based in Moldova or Ukraine. The successful candidate must be willing and able to travel up to 50% between the two countries and in the field.

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.
• 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
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented

Supervisory Responsibilities: Up to 7 Program Managers, MEAL Manager, Grants Manager

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Country Representative, Head of Operations, Finance Manager, Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality, EMECA regional staff

External: Caritas national and local offices, other local partners, institutional donors, local and national governments, USG, United Nations and international NGOs

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations or relevant field.
• Minimum of five years of relevant field-based program management, at least three years of middle/senior management experience.
• Experience in the development of successful proposals, reports, strategic alliances, project design, project management, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Strong experience in working with local and national partners, and in capacity strengthening
• Experience in staff development, training, and mentoring, as well as in team building and strategic planning initiatives. Experience working with Church partners a plus
• Experience in community development, community mobilization, or similar grassroots, self-help initiatives.
• Experience in project grants management, including project design, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, etc., preferably for projects funded by multiple public donors, including USAID.
• Experience with successful business development activities capturing public and/or private donor funding.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent English writing skills.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience and abilities in capacity strengthening – developing curricula and facilitating trainings.
• Experience using MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge sharing networks.

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 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 – 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.

***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.

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 prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer