Program Manager II-South America

About CRS

JOB DESCRIPTION

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.

NOTE: This is a global remote position; CRS will only consider candidates who are based in countries where we have existing offices. CRS does not sponsor visas for remote employees.

Job Summary

The Program Manager II – South America will provide technical support to local partners in South America. S/he will organize capacity building and accompaniment of partners, with the goal of ensuring emergency relief and recovery activities undertaken by partners are in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your technical knowledge, advice and guidance will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive and innovative CRS’ Emergency programming is across the globe.

Roles And Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical solutions to EMPOWER partners in South America, remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and how to best apply program design and implementation standards, best practices, partnership principles, tools, and M&E, ensuring high-quality implementation.
• Contribute to EMPOWER partners in South America efforts to pre-position for growth opportunities in Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery. Lead or contribute to the development of the technical design for large and/or complex proposals, including defining appropriate monitoring systems and indicators. Advise EMPOWER partners and team members on integrating donor strategies, priorities and technical requirements into CRS’ approach.
• Contribute to capacity strengthening initiatives in Emergency Preparedness and Response programming for partner staff as requested and prioritized by the partners through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and workshops, and mentoring and coaching to partner staff.
• Contribute to knowledge management and learning through collecting and analyzing program data, evaluating strategic projects, assisting with measuring program impact, capturing and sharing lessons learned and best practices, and research and internal reports.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in Emergency Preparedness and Response that effectively engage partners, donors and governments. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
• Ensure a quality partnership between CRS and South American EMPOWER partners in line with CRS and Caritas Internationalis (CI) partnership principles; ensure coordinated, consistent partner strengthening efforts and support timely resolution of partnership challenges via dialogue and support from others, as appropriate.
• Through on-going coordination with South America EMPOWER partners, ensure timely and quality implementation of capacity strengthening support in emergency preparedness and response.
• Support quality partner-led emergency response program development, through participation in donor discussions and ensuring quality program design, budgeting and reporting.
• Develop and maintain strong collaboration with CRS technical experts and, in agreement with partners, develop SOWs for in-country support for partners as needed -- especially for technical support in managing cash-based interventions, WASH, shelter and others as selected by the partners.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in MEAL and IM that effectively engage partners, donors and governments.
• Collaborate with the MEAL team to provide MEAL and IM-related technical solutions to South American partners, remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and how to best apply program design and implementation standards, best practices, partnership principles, tools, and M&E, ensuring high-quality implementation.
• Collaborate with the MEAL to contribute to capacity strengthening initiatives in emergency MEAL and IM for partners through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and workshops, and mentoring and coaching.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional relevant experience may substitute for some education.
• Knowledge of Humanitarian principles, standards and system, with specific knowledge of CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming and standards a plus.
• Knowledge of design requirements and regulations of major emergency donors, including the US Government, EU/ECHO and UN agencies
• Highly proficient in security protocols and management of emergency programs in insecure environments
• Ability to work with local partner organizations
• Experience with and enthusiasm for coaching, mentoring and on the job training
• Ability to maintain performance expectations and strong working relationships in diverse cultural contexts, psychologically and physically stressful environments
• Experience using ICT tools such as Kobo Toolbox and Commcare desired.
  
  

Required Languages – Spanish (required), English (required), Portuguese (encouraged)

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 50 %.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships

Internal: EMPOWER Latin American Caribbean (LAC) Deputy Team Lead, EMPOWER LAC Team Lead, EMPOWER LAC technical advisors, HRD Program Quality and Technical teams.

External : EMPOWER LAC partners, humanitarian donors particularly USG at the subregional and national levels.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Master's Degree in International Development, International Relations or in the field of 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 2-3 years working in the area of < Emergency Preparedness and Response >,
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.
• Previous experience providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is required.
  
  

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 welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer