Job Vacancy @ Catholic Relief Services (CRS) – Head of Programming

CRS JOB ADVERT EXTENSION – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS AN EXTENSION OF THE ADVERT PERIOD IF YOU HAVE  APPLIED FOR THIS POSITION BEFORE, PLEASE DON’T DO AGAIN 

CRS is recruiting for Position: X 1 – Head of Programming l 

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 are accomplished through programs  of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Title: Head of Programming l 

Department: Programs 

Reports To: Country Representative 

Country: Catholic Relief Services Sierra Leone 

Duty Location: CRS Freetown 

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 lead 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 

• 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.

Required Languages – English

Travel – include percentage of required travel, if applicable. Could be stated as Must be willing and able to  travel up to 25%.

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

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.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Chief of Party, Program Manager, Monitoring and Evaluation, Gender Officer

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: Country Representative, Deputy Regional Programming, Operation team. Programming team  External: Donors, implementing partners, Government Representatives

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***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.

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. 

To apply, please send in your application, updated CV and all relevant certificates to email below: sl_recruitment@crs.org on the subject/heading: HEAD OF PROGRAMMING 

Closing Date for the receipt of application packages is Monday 24th March 2025.