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.
While CRS is well known as an Emergency Response Agency, our humanitarian assistance extends far beyond responding to the after-effects of a disaster. In Asia, CRS is committed to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation (DRR/CCA) programming in rural and urban areas and has active DRR/CCA programs in seven countries with potential for expansion. CRS programs are focused on disaster preparedness and adapting to a changing environment, as well as increasing resilience at the household and community level. CRS focuses on sustainable outcomes, and works together with local governments and communities to improve support services and infrastructure for increased resilience. CRS’ Asia region spans from Turkmenistan to the Federated States of Micronesia, with active DRR/CCA programming in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, FSM, Philippines, Indonesia, and Timor Leste.
Job Summary:
Firstly, you will manage and provide technical oversight of a new multi-country DRR program which focuses on community disaster preparedness, strengthening government DRR systems, and improved resilient livelihoods across Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste. Your will ensure high quality implementation and donor reporting across all three countries, coordinating reports ensuring that donor deliverables at consistent in quality and timelines, with strategic coordination between all implementation areas and leveraging documentation of learning and best practices across countries. If a team is falling short on deliverables, you would work with the team to identify solutions along with their country program leadership, including surging in to support. There will be a delicate balance between direct management, coordination, and coaching the three country program (CP) teams. You will need to navigate this complexity alongside establishing shared expectations with participating CP teams. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the project delivers high-quality DRR programming results and impact.
Secondly, you will provide technical oversight to the breadth of Bangladesh’s current and projected DRR and resiliency portfolio (includes PAR IV among others) ensuring quality design, implementation, impact, learning, donor engagement and strategic alignment with other sectoral areas. This includes strategic positioning for expansion into livelihoods, agriculture, and greening initiatives.
Thirdly, you will support across the Asia region (including Bangladesh), to expand DRR and resiliency programming and donor engagement. This will include supporting the pursuit and production of high-quality applications for funding in support of CRS’ engagement with institutional DRR donors and initiatives involved in international development to serve the poor and vulnerable.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
Multi-country program management (50% LoE)
- Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of the project throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
- Effectively lead project implementation teams in a matrix-management environment. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
- In collaboration with MEAL Advisors, Program Managers, and Technical Advisors oversee the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research, and publications in DRR and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
- Work closely with country program MEAL to staff to oversee the design of high-quality MEAL systems for the project and monitor projects through regular site visits and interviews with project participants and stakeholders.
- Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the DRR and resiliency sector portfolio in line with agency, and regional DRR strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals in DRR per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
- Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in DRR for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
- Oversee, coordinate, and monitor timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
Head of Resilience (50% LoE)
All of the tasks outlined above also apply to the Bangladesh Head of Resilience component of the role, in addition to the below:
- Represent CRS and collaborate, coordinate, and communicate on a regular basis with donors, INGO key sectoral working groups, the UN, and relevant local government and community actors to keep abreast of changing needs and opportunities on the ground, to develop synergies, and to identify opportunities for growth.
- Utilizing strong partnership and capacity-strengthening approaches aligned to CRS’ accompaniment strategy, provide on-the-ground leadership to the Caritas DRR program teams to ensure high quality, timely, and adaptive project implementation.
- Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to DRR and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools, and approaches.
- Identify emergency capacity strengthening needs for staff and partners and take the lead on planning emergency training and capacity building programs and activities, developing curriculums, delivering trainings, and in the provision of follow up coaching and mentoring activities to ensure new knowledge and skills are applied and sustained.
- Ensure that safeguarding, protection, and gender and social equity are consistently and intentionally streamlined into all program activities, including staff recruitment and training.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Languages – Excellent written and spoken English and Bengali required.
Work Conditions: CRS will give preference to candidates who are based in countries within Asia where we have existing offices, with a preference for Bangladesh. CRS does not sponsor visas for remote employees.
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 30-40% to project sites and for DRR influence and positioning events. This includes travel within Bangladesh and also to other PAR IV implementing countries.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Program Managers and Technical Advisors (3-4) in Bangladesh. Technical oversight of Program Managers for PARV IV in other countries.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Program Managers, Sr. Advisor Donor Engagement, Senior Technical Coordinator DRR, Regional Deputy Director Program Quality, Heads of Programs, Finance Managers, MEAL Managers, Regional Finance Officer,
External:CRS Partners for PAR IV**;** Local Government Officials in DRR; Caritas and church partners; Coordination with other operational INGOs in and around project sites
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
- Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
- Good presentation and facilitation skills
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
Basic Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations or in the field of DRR required. Additional DRR experience may substitute for some education.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management or coordination experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of DRR.
- Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.
Preferred Qualifications
- Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
- Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
- Experience engaging with partner organizations
- MEAL skills and experience required.
- Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
- Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
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.
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 prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have offices.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer