Project Director

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. In response to the crisis in Ukraine, CRS has rapidly expanded its operations since 2022, reaching over 500,000 people through a comprehensive strategy that includes shelter, infrastructure, education, and livelihoods. The organization emphasizes strengthening local partnerships and enhancing community leadership to maximize impact and reach more vulnerable populations. CRS is funded by institutional donors and private contributions, ensuring a robust support system for its initiatives.

Job Overview:
As the Project Director, you will be responsible for leading and coordinating CRS's technical support to Caritas Ukraine (CUA) for the U.S. Government-funded Multi-Sector Assistance to War-Affected People in Ukraine project. This role requires strong leadership and management skills to ensure the delivery of high-quality programming that is compliant with donor expectations. You will oversee a team of technical experts, guiding them in implementing effective multisectoral humanitarian programming that aligns with humanitarian principles and sectoral standards. Your role will also involve managing programmatic and operational risks, enhancing CUA's capacity to design and implement timely and needs-based interventions, and ensuring compliance with institutional donor requirements. This position is critical in navigating the complexities of humanitarian assistance in a war-affected context and requires a proactive approach to strategic positioning and donor communications.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, implementation, and consolidation of the Multi-Sector Assistance to War-Affected People in Ukraine project, serving as the primary contact with the U.S. Government for CRS.
• Provide and coordinate technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities to enhance program quality and impact, ensuring alignment with donor expectations.
• Ensure effective coordination between program and operations leads to meet project goals and objectives.
• Identify learning opportunities related to capacity strengthening and facilitate the dissemination of best practices and lessons learned.
• Manage team dynamics and staff well-being, providing coaching and mentoring to enhance individual and team performance.
• Oversee the recruitment process for senior staff and develop staffing plans to ensure adequate human resources for project implementation.
• Monitor national and regional issues that may impact staff and programming, managing and mitigating risks accordingly.
• Ensure compliance with CRS safety and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security-policies" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security policies and maintain a safe environment for staff.
• Promote efficient use of agency and donor resources, ensuring financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets. 1
• Create conditions for learning and development, identifying performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff. 1
• Contribute to the advancement of the CRS Country Office strategy and pursue new funding opportunities to grow the sector portfolio.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, International Relations, or a relevant technical area; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5-8 years of relevant management experience in humanitarian programming, particularly in complex emergencies.
• Proven experience managing donor funds, including U.S. Government grants, with strong knowledge of budget management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and lead diverse teams effectively.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to represent CRS at high levels and develop tailored messaging for various audiences.
• Experience in coaching senior program staff and fostering a learning environment.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in international development, International Relations, or a related technical field. A Master’s degree is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in humanitarian work.

Experience:
The position requires 5-8 years of relevant management experience in humanitarian programming, with a strong emphasis on managing complex, high-value projects, particularly those funded by U.S. Government grants. Candidates should have a proven track record of successful program management and experience in budget management, as well as staff management capabilities that foster a learning environment.

Languages:
Fluency in English (both written and verbal) is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian is considered an advantage, enhancing communication and engagement with local partners and communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is contingent on funding confirmation and involves travel of up to 30% within Ukraine, primarily to partner offices. The role includes supervisory responsibilities for up to 10 staff members. 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 will be based on the country of employment. The successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies, ensuring the protection of program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse.