Project Support Officer II At Catholic Relief Services

The Project Support and Deliver (PSiDe) team advances the ‘deliver’ area objectives by managing and stewarding institutional donor relationship and resources, supporting the growth of CRS’ business and influence, and building the capacity of staff across the spectrum of resource acquisition and management.
The Project Support Officer (PSO) will be responsible for providing comprehensive project support to a portfolio of projects. The PSO will support the successful implementation of projects from start-up to close-out through close working relationship with Chiefs of Party, country program and regional office personnel, and with other CRS departments. The PSO will represent CRS and the project interests externally through effective engagement with the donors and other stakeholders, and internally through close working relationships with other CRS units. The PSO will also contribute to business development efforts as ne eded, primarily, but not solely, within their portfolio.
This position is contingent on funding.
Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with project, finance and award management staff to ensure award compliance and timely submission of quality deliverables
• Identify trouble spots in project implementation, assess implications for both the country program and donor, and strategize viable solutions with award management staff, project staff and country program management.
• Represent CRS and the projects in portfolio to external donors and stakeholders.
• Provide input on select business development opportunities on project design, donor preferences, and proposal reviews.
• Identify trouble spots in project implementation, assess implications for both CRS and the donor, and strategize viable solutions with project support staff, project staff, country program staff, and staff from other departments, as necessary.

Basic Qualifications (BQs)
Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, international relations, communications, English, marketing, journalism, or other related field.
• Minimum four years of relevant experience, including at least two years of experience traveling and working in low-resource settings.

Required Languages – Fluency in English required; working ability in French or Spanish strongly preferred.
***Travel* –** Ability and willingness to travel to low-resource environments in foreign countries as needed, up to 25-35% of job time.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (SKAs) –

• Ability and desire to work well with diverse employees in a cooperative and friendly manner.
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders in multiple geographic locations.
  • Familiarity with USAID and/or USDA, including funding cycles, technical requirements, project deliverables, regulations and working preferences.
  • Experience managing projects and supporting project implementation throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Excellent interpersonal communication and experience in high-level negotiation and representation
  • Individual must possess the ability to influence without direct authority.
  • Experience at identifying, assessing, researching, and resolving issues throughout the project lifecycle, in the best interests of CRS and its mission.
  • Individual brings a whole-agency approach to management of their portfolio, factoring in outside dynamics and interests to decision-making recommendations for projects.
  • Individual brings a whole-agency lens to their portfolio, recognizing and pulling key information that is pertinent to CRS at agency level, and disseminating such information to relevant units/persons.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of CRS programs, and Catholic Social Teaching principles.

Agency-wide 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.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Work Conditions/Environment Conditions

• This position is based in Baltimore, Maryland. Work may be required on weekends and evenings during emergencies
• The position is based in Baltimore, Maryland and requires approximately 25-35% travel, sometimes to hardship locations and for extended periods of time that can last several weeks or months.

Key Working Relationships

• External: Industry networks; and donor counterparts.
• Internal: IDEA staff, HQ-based and field-based Overseas Operations staff; Mission and Mobilization (Advocacy colleagues); Global Risk and Compliance; Office of General Counsel; Technical Advisors; and Overseas Finance.

What we offer
CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
*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. NOTE: All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application. Disclaimer: This job descript ion is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
*EOE/M/F/D/V –* CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (For all US and International positions)

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.