Senior Management Team Member

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, nutrition, health, agriculture, education, environment, 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.

Job Overview:
As a member of the Laos Country Office Senior Management Team, the individual will provide strategic direction, leadership, and management of the Country Office’s programming. This role is crucial for ensuring the establishment and successful implementation of high-quality programs that serve the poor and vulnerable populations. The position requires proactive management of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and mitigation of security risks, ensuring that the Country Office delivers high-quality programming while continuously improving its impact. The individual will collaborate with the Country Manager to design strategic frameworks and plans, develop resource mobilization strategies, and lead high-quality project design that incorporates project management standards and MEAL methods. The role also involves coordinating activities across various projects to ensure integration and efficiency in implementation, managing team dynamics, and fostering a learning environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities for this position include:

• Collaborating with the Country Manager to provide strategic direction for the design of the Country Office strategic frameworks and plans.
• Developing resource mobilization strategies to optimize the impact of programming interventions.
• Leading high-quality project design that meets project management standards and MEAL methods.
• Coordinating planning of activities across various projects to ensure integration and efficiency.
• Managing talent and supervising project and program managers, ensuring team well-being and dynamics.
• Providing coaching and developing individual development plans for direct reports.
• Contributing to staffing plans and recruitment processes for senior project staff.
• Creating a safe environment for sharing ideas and addressing challenges.
• Promoting accountability and overseeing the implementation of the MEAL policy. 1
• Coordinating with operations leads to ensure appropriate project budgeting and stewardship of resources. 1
• Overseeing the business development cycle to ensure quality proposals. 1
• Identifying and strengthening partnerships and ensuring technical assistance for project teams. 1
• Developing training opportunities and delivering trainings.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for this position include:

• A Bachelor's Degree in International Development, International Relations, or a relevant field.
• A minimum of 5-8 years of relevant field-based program management experience, with at least 2 years in a senior management role.
• Proven experience in developing successful proposals, reports, strategic alliances, project design, project management, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience in partner capacity strengthening, staff development, training, and mentoring.
• Familiarity with community development and grassroots initiatives.
• Experience in project grants management, including design, budget preparation, and reporting, preferably for projects funded by multiple public donors.
• Experience with successful business development activities capturing public and/or private donor funding.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in International Development, International Relations, or a relevant field. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of international humanitarian work and the various sectors in which CRS operates.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5-8 years of relevant field-based program management experience, including at least 2 years in a senior management capacity. Candidates should have a strong track record in developing successful proposals, managing projects, and leading teams. Experience in community development and grassroots initiatives is also highly valued, as is familiarity with project grants management and business development activities.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for communication and reporting. Additionally, the ability to work in the Lao language is highly valued, as it facilitates better engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position involves supervisory responsibilities for 4-6 project and program managers, depending on the size of the programming portfolio. The role requires travel up to 25% in Laos, regionally, and internationally as needed. 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 are based on the country of employment. The work culture at CRS is collaborative and mission-driven, committed to improving the lives of the poor globally. The successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and commitment to safeguarding program participants and community members.