Emergency Response 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 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. The Moldova and Ukraine Country Office has rapidly expanded its programming since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, reaching over 500,000 people through a comprehensive strategy that includes shelter, winterization, education, and livelihoods. The organization is committed to strengthening local partnerships and enhancing the capacity of local leaders to maximize impact and reach more vulnerable populations. CRS is funded by institutional donors and private emergency funding, and it aims to diversify its programming to better serve the most vulnerable communities in the region.

Job Overview:
The Emergency Response Program Manager will oversee the development and implementation of emergency response and recovery programming within the Country Program (CP) in Ukraine. This role is particularly focused on managing large and complex projects that address basic needs, shelter, winterization, livelihoods, and protection for conflict-affected populations. The manager will ensure that effective systems and processes are in place to support high-quality programming that aligns with CRS and partner objectives. The position requires strong management skills and a commitment to continuous improvement in program impact. The manager will work closely with partners to provide guidance and technical oversight throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring compliance with CRS quality principles, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. This role also involves contributing to the strategic direction of the Country Office and pursuing new funding opportunities to expand the program portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Emergency Response Program Manager will be responsible for the following duties:

• Collaborate with partners to manage and provide technical oversight for new and existing projects, ensuring alignment with CRS quality standards and donor guidelines.
• Monitor project expenditures to ensure they are timely and appropriate, adhering to financial plans and efficient resource stewardship.
• Lead program learning initiatives by identifying opportunities for research, publications, and the implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) policies.
• Facilitate the sharing of promising practices and lessons learned to enhance the agency's knowledge management efforts.
• Integrate innovations and best practices into programming.
• Contribute to the Country Office strategy and actively seek new funding opportunities to grow the program portfolio.
• Serve as the technical lead and writer for high-quality proposals that meet agency and donor standards.
• Assist in budgeting and staffing plans for proposals.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for staff and partner organizations to improve program quality and impact. 1
• Identify and assess partnerships, applying appropriate partnership concepts and tools. 1
• Manage team dynamics and staff well-being, providing coaching and development plans for direct reports.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master's Degree in a relevant field, with a preference for candidates who have experience working in international NGOs. Candidates should possess a strong understanding of humanitarian principles, standards, and systems, particularly in relation to CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential, along with the ability to make sound judgments and offer innovative solutions. Familiarity with security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security protocols and experience managing emergency programs in insecure environments are also important. Excellent relationship management skills are required, with the ability to engage effectively with individuals at all levels. Experience with MEAL is necessary, as is proficiency in digital tools such as CommCare, Kobo, and PowerBI. Candidates should have a solid background in project grants management, including project design for grants from multiple public donors, and the ability to write high-quality technical proposals. Staff management experience is also essential, fostering a learning environment.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in International Development, International Relations, or Humanitarian Assistance. Additional relevant experience may substitute for some educational requirements, but a strong educational background is preferred to ensure a solid understanding of the complexities involved in international development and humanitarian assistance.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant field-based project management experience, with at least 3 years specifically in emergency and recovery programming. Candidates should have experience managing moderately complex projects and demonstrate a track record of successful project implementation in challenging environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English (both written and verbal) is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian is considered an advantage, as it will facilitate communication with local partners and beneficiaries.

Additional Notes:
This position is contingent on funding confirmation and may involve travel of up to 30% within Ukraine, primarily to partner offices. The supervisory responsibilities for this role will be determined based on the specific needs of the program. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For successful candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages will be based on the country of employment. CRS is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults, and expects the successful candidate to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.