CRS is recruiting if you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below job descriptions, 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 is accomplished through programs of emergency response, health (including malaria), agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

 

CRS/ Sierra Leone and Program Background
Catholic Relief Service (CRS) launched its work in Sierra Leone in 1963 supporting relief and development operations in the country. CRS Sierra Leone has proudly maintained a strong reputation and relationship with partners and the communities we serve in the country implementing a multi-sector program portfolio. Today, the Country Program has a robust portfolio built around several major programs in Health, Agriculture, Nutrition, Education and Urban Resilience. CRS/Sierra Leone currently implements projects in Education, Emergencies, Health and Urban Resilience sector area, including: the USDA/McGovern Dole Food for Education funded All Pikin for Learn (APfL) project, and is a co-principal recipient of the Global Fund malaria grant to the country. Other funding includes the EU-funded COVID response project, the Coca Cola-funded RAIN project, and the DFID-funded waste management project. In addition, the country program is working on several high-profile opportunities included establishing a Freetown Water Fund, supporting the Freetown City Council to deliver its Transform Freetown strategy through slum regeneration, and emergency response to COVID-19 funded by USG/OFDA. CRS Urban malaria research project anticipate that by incorporating malaria activities in the Transform Freetown Project, a more holistic and sustainable approach to improving the health and reducing malaria prevalence can be achieved.

Job Title: Head of Programmes
Department: Sierra Leone Country Program
Reports To: Country Representative
Country: CRS-Sierra Leone.
Duty Location: CRS Country Office, Freetown with 25% travel to Field locations

 

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 programs serving the poor and vulnerable. Your leadership, management and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its programming. 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.
Lead high-quality project design incorporating project management standards and MEAL methods, appropriate to scope, context and technical requirements of projects. Coordinate planning of activities across various projects from different sectors to ensure integration of program interventions and efficiency in implementation.
Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. 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.
Coordinate with CP operations leads to ensure appropriate project budgeting and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
In coordination with resource mobilization staff oversee the business development cycle to ensure quality proposals per agency and donor standards.
Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of appropriate partnerships and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
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.

 

Basic Qualifications and experience:
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.
Experience in partner capacity strengthening, 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.
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

Required Languages – English, fluent written and spoken
Travel -Must be willing and able to travel up to 25 % to Field locations.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
The HoP line manages the
Chief of Party, Food for Education
Program Director, Global Fund
Program Director, Urban Resilience
MEAL Coordinator
Communications Manager
Business Development Specialist

Key Working Relationships:
Internal Senior Management Team, Program Teams, Operations Teams, Regional and HQ colleagues
External Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies; local Council leaders; Church leaders; Caritas colleagues; partners in non-governmental organizations, donors, international organizations and embassies.

 

_________________________________________________________________

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

 

***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 this position 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 14th May 2021.