Country Program Manager

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 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 a collaborative, mission-driven culture that aims to improve the lives of the poor throughout the world. The agency emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its values and commitment to service.

Job Overview:
The Country Program Manager for CRS Laos will oversee the management of the CRS Laos Country Program, ensuring alignment with the organization's objectives and mission. This role involves acting as a representative and ambassador for CRS and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to key stakeholders, including local government, partners, and donors. The manager will identify funding opportunities to support CRS' strategy and raise essential resources for the continuation of its work with marginalized communities. The position requires ensuring high-quality programming and continuous improvement in program impact, coordinating activities across various projects to ensure integration and efficiency in implementation. The manager will also be responsible for workforce planning, team development, and maintaining a healthy office environment that reflects CRS values.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Country Program Manager will develop strategic partnerships with national and international organizations, ensuring strong representation to key stakeholders such as local partners, international organizations, host government, and donors. Responsibilities include managing workforce planning, team development, and staff well-being, while providing coaching and mentoring to staff. The manager will ensure that all projects meet and exceed donor expectations, adhere to CRS program quality standards, and implement effective quality assurance systems. Financial oversight will be a key responsibility, focusing on the impactful use of resources and compliance with donor expectations. The manager will promote accountability and learning through the application of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) standards, manage the annual planning process, and cultivate effective donor relationships to identify growth opportunities. Risk management and emergency response oversight will also be part of the role, alongside developing a strong leadership team and championing safeguarding policies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to see the big picture and make sound judgments. They should have excellent relationship management abilities, capable of relating to individuals at all levels both internally and externally. Team leadership skills are essential, along with strong communication and presentation capabilities. The ideal candidate will be proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-driven. A Bachelor’s degree in International Development, International Relations, or a related field is required, along with a minimum of 5 years’ experience managing high-value relief and development programs. Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree in a relevant field and experience in complex development settings.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in International Development, International Relations, or a related field is required for this position. A Master’s degree in a similar field is preferred and may enhance the candidate's qualifications, particularly for those with experience in managing high-value projects and engaging with international donors.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience managing high-value relief and development programs. Candidates with experience in complex development settings and a proven track record of managing projects from multiple international donors will be favored. Experience in business development and private sector engagement, as well as working with Church partners, is also advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in the local Lao language is considered a plus, enhancing communication with local stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The position involves direct supervision of senior program and operations staff and requires the candidate to be willing to travel up to 25%. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., salary and benefits packages will be based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment for expatriates will be informed by a term limit based on the job type and level, as well as the agency's needs. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and successful candidates will be expected to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct.