Program Manager II – South America

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development work through various programs including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization 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. CRS has a strong focus on protecting the rights and dignity of all people, especially children and vulnerable adults, ensuring they live free from abuse and harm. The agency's mission is deeply rooted in its Catholic identity, reflecting the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist those in need.

Job Overview:
The Program Manager II – South America will play a crucial role in providing technical support to local partners in South America, focusing on emergency relief and recovery activities. This position requires the individual to organize capacity building and accompaniment of partners, ensuring that all activities align with CRS program quality principles, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. The Program Manager will leverage their technical knowledge and expertise to enhance the effectiveness, adaptability, and innovation of CRS’ Emergency programming globally. The role involves managing all phases of project cycles, from design to implementation and close-out, ensuring high-quality programming that meets the needs of the poor and vulnerable populations. The Program Manager will also contribute to the development of proposals, budgeting, and strategic planning, while actively pursuing new funding opportunities to expand the agency's portfolio in line with strategic priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Manager II will be responsible for providing management, guidance, and technical oversight of all new and existing projects throughout the project cycle. This includes ensuring that project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out adhere to CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. The individual will offer technical solutions to EMPOWER partners in South America, both remotely and on-site, focusing on strategic planning and the application of program design and implementation standards. The role also involves contributing to the proactive pursuit of new funding opportunities, serving as the technical lead and writer for quality proposals, and assisting in budgeting and staffing plans. Additionally, the Program Manager will engage in capacity strengthening initiatives for partner staff, contribute to knowledge management and learning, and ensure a quality partnership between CRS and EMPOWER partners. The individual will collaborate with various stakeholders, including Caritas Internationalis Member Organizations, to advance EMPOWER’s objectives and support quality partner-led emergency response program development.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess MEAL skills and experience, with a strong background in project grants management, including project design for grants from multiple public donors such as USAID. The ability to write high-quality technical proposals is essential, along with experience engaging with partner organizations. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are required, as well as the ability to make sound judgments and offer innovative solutions. Candidates should have excellent relations management abilities, good presentation and facilitation skills, and a proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented mindset. Staff management experience conducive to a learning environment is also necessary.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in international development, International Relations, or a related field is required. Additional experience may substitute for some educational requirements. A Master's Degree is preferred and would be considered an advantage, particularly for candidates with experience in an international NGO setting.

Experience:
A minimum of 8 years of relevant field-based project management experience is required, with at least 3 years in Emergency Preparedness and Response. Candidates should have experience managing moderately complex projects, preferably with an international NGO, and a proven track record of providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding.

Languages:
Proficiency in Spanish and English is required, while knowledge of Portuguese is encouraged. The ability to communicate effectively in these languages is essential for collaboration with partners and stakeholders in South America.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote, with a travel requirement of up to 50%. There are no supervisory responsibilities associated with this role. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS’ Code of Conduct and will undergo a pre-employment medical clearance as part of the hiring process. CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS offices are located.