CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES (CRS) JOB ADVERT – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL

CRS is recruiting for 1 Position: (1) Director – Water fund – Urban Resilience Unit

If you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below job description, and follow the instructions to submit your application package. 

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 are accomplished through programs of emergency response, health (including malaria), agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

CRS/ Sierra Leone and Program Background

Catholic Relief Service (CRS) started work in Sierra Leone in 1963 carrying out the commitment of the Catholic bishops and the Catholic community of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. For over 57 years, CRS has been on the front lines in responding to emergencies and promoting health, education, agriculture, and urban resilience in Sierra Leone.

To date, the Country Program has a robust portfolio built around several major programs in Health, Agriculture, Nutrition, Education and Urban Resilience such as the USDA/McGovern Dole Food for Education and Nutrition (All Pikin for Learn) Program, Global Fund Malaria Program and COVID-19 Response Mechanism Project. In addition, the country program is working on several high-profile opportunities to improve water security in Freetown and support Freetown City Council to deliver its Transform Freetown strategy through slum regeneration.

Job Title: Director 

Department: Programs: Water fund – Urban Resilience Program Unit

Reports To:        Head of Programming

Country: CRS-Sierra Leone.

Duty Location: CRS Country Office in Freetown

Job Summary

As the Water Fund Director, you will lead the development and implementation of the Country Program’s sustainable watershed management programming, also known as the Western Area Peninsula Water Fund. You will ensure effective systems and processes are in place to support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable.

You will provide WASH technical oversight to the Country Program, oversee the WAPWF Management Unit and coordinate with other Committees. You will work closely with Freetown City Council, National Water Resource Management agency and other external stakeholders to further our strategic ambitions. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its sustainable watershed programming.

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of all the Water projects 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.
• Assist the Steering Committee in the development of the Strategic and Annual Operating Plans and executes approved plans.
• Set up and monitor progress on multi-year objectives and metrics to ensure steady progress against established goals.
• Prepare and present administrative and financial reports to the Steering Committee.
• Coordinate activities of the other committees that form part of the Water Fund governance structure and facilitate communication among stakeholders.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise CRS Water Fund staff. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Coordinate technical and financial support with The Nature Conservancy.
• Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding for the operationalization of the Water Fund, in line with the WAPWF Resources Mobilization Action Plan. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals in per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
• Collaborate with CRS, The Nature Conservancy and government Communications teams to ensure effective implementation of the WAPWF Communication strategy.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in management and operations for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in International Development, Hydrology, Water Resources, Watershed management.
• 2-3 years working in the area of Watershed management.
• Experience in Environmental Sciences or related field required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.

• Demonstrated success in carrying out strategic goals and initiatives.
• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors.
• Excellent leadership abilities, interpersonal and collaborative skills, strong communication and listening skills, organizational skills, and the ability to execute.
• Extensive experience in partnering across multiple stakeholders and colleagues using exceptional judgment, diplomacy, and the ability to inspire and motivate change.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations
• MEAL skills and experience required.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

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
• Ability to build consensus and trust at all levels of the organization, and across diverse locations and cultures.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented

Required Languages – English is required. Krio would be preferred.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 10%.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal – CRS Water Fund Field Officer, Urban Resilience Director, CRS West Africa Wash & Environment Technical Advisor, CRS Country Representative, CRS Communications Manager and CRS Technical Partnerships Manager.

External – Freetown City Council, Western Area Rural District, donors, civil society organizations, Head of Hydrological Services, NWRMA and EPA.

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

***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. 

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to safeguarding-related topics. 

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.  CRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To apply for any of these positions please send up-to-date CV and a supporting letter, copies of relevant certificates to SL_HR@crs.org. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Also send a copy of your application package to the desk Officers, Ministry of Employment and Social Security, New England, and Extension Offices in Applicants’ Locations 

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 protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Closing date for the receipt of application packages is 4th July 2022.