Program Manager, Sr. Program Quality (TaMoLe)

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency's work culture is collaborative and mission-driven, aiming to improve the lives of the poor globally. CRS has a strong commitment to safeguarding program participants and ensuring the rights and dignity of all people, especially children and vulnerable adults, are upheld. The organization prioritizes hiring candidates from the regions in which it operates, reflecting its dedication to local engagement and empowerment.

Job Overview:
The Program Manager, Sr. Program Quality position is designed to provide technical and management support to ensure high-quality programming in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) principles, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. This role will specifically support CRS program offices in Tanzania, Mozambique, and Lesotho (collectively referred to as TaMoLe). The successful candidate will leverage their technical knowledge and program management experience to enhance the effectiveness, adaptability, and scalability of CRS programming across the region. The position involves advancing the delivery of quality programming to vulnerable populations, contributing to strategic planning, and ensuring the integration of cross-sectoral approaches, including gender and climate considerations. The role also includes developing technical designs for new projects, advising project teams on donor strategies, and coordinating capacity strengthening initiatives for staff and partners. The Program Manager will play a crucial role in knowledge management and learning, ensuring that best practices are documented and shared, and will provide surge support for program quality management during critical project phases.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Program Manager include:

• Contributing to the advancement of the country strategy in alignment with Vision 2030 and regional priorities, including influence goals and donor engagement plans.
• Providing technical support to Country Program (CP) teams, both remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and prioritization.
• Supporting the design and delivery of quality assurance systems, ensuring the application of program quality and technical standards, best practices, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) principles.
• Leading or supporting the development of technical designs for new projects, including formal and informal proposal products.
• Advising project teams on integrating donor strategies and technical requirements into CRS’ approach.
• Coordinating capacity strengthening initiatives for staff and partners, including developing learning and training strategies, leading virtual learning events, and conducting workshops.
• Advancing knowledge management by coordinating research studies, documenting program impact, and sharing best practices.
• Providing program quality management surge support to fill short-term gaps and assist during project start-up, close-out, or other key milestones.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Program Manager position include:

• A Master's Degree in International Relations or a related field.
• At least 5 to 8 years of relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities, ideally within an international NGO.
• A minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience, including performance evaluation, coaching, and mentoring.
• Previous experience in providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is essential.
• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts, with a general knowledge of related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience in business development, project design, and proposal development, including technical writing.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training, applying adult learning principles and practices.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including data collection tools, methodologies, analysis, and presentation.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills with donors, peer organizations, and civil society partners.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's Degree in International Relations or a related field. This advanced degree is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively manage and support program quality initiatives within the organization.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the Program Manager position includes at least 5 to 8 years of relevant international working experience, particularly in advisory or management roles with increasing responsibilities. Candidates should have a proven track record of supervisory experience, with at least 3 years dedicated to performance evaluation, coaching, and mentoring. Experience in providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is also required, along with a strong background in program monitoring and evaluation.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English. Proficiency in English is essential for effective communication, documentation, and collaboration with diverse teams and stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an advantage, particularly if they pertain to the regions in which CRS operates, such as local languages spoken in Tanzania, Mozambique, or Lesotho.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote and supports operations in Tanzania, Mozambique, and Lesotho. It does not offer relocation or international benefits. The successful candidate must be willing to travel up to 35% of the time. The role includes supervisory responsibilities and is expected to contribute to the overall capacity building of staff and partners. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The agency is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults, and the successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS' Code of Conduct.