Chief of Party

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. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes staff from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency has a collaborative, mission-driven culture aimed at improving the lives of the poor globally, and it emphasizes the importance of integrity, accountability, and trust in its operations.

Job Overview:
As Chief of Party, you will lead the anticipated health systems strengthening project aimed at ensuring program sustainability in Nigeria. This role requires a strong focus on leadership, management, and technical expertise to deliver high-quality programming. You will be responsible for advancing CRS's position as a leading agency in public health systems management, including quality improvement, monitoring and evaluation, surveillance, and health information systems. Your proactive management will also involve addressing security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security risks and ensuring the safety of staff. The position demands a strategic approach to project implementation, ensuring compliance with donor expectations and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, including CDC-PEPFAR and other public and private entities. You will also be tasked with promoting a culture of learning and development within the team, identifying performance gaps, and facilitating training opportunities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Your primary responsibilities will include leading the development and implementation of the project, ensuring it aligns with industry thought leadership. You will serve as the main contact for CDC-PEPFAR and other stakeholders, ensuring that project goals are met in terms of quality and timeliness. Coordination between program and operations leads is essential, as is adherence to CRS program quality standards. You will manage senior programming and operations staff, providing coaching and mentoring, and overseeing recruitment processes. Risk management will be a key focus, requiring you to monitor national and regional issues that could impact staff and programming. You will also ensure compliance with CDC-PEPFAR grant regulations, manage budgets, and oversee communication strategies. Creating a conducive learning environment and identifying training needs for staff will be critical to the success of the project.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in international development, International Relations, or a relevant technical area, with a PhD preferred. A minimum of 7 years of relevant management and technical experience is required, including at least 5 years managing donor funds and multi-country grants. Strong knowledge and experience in budget management are essential, along with a background in health program implementation, particularly in health systems strengthening and quality improvement. Experience in a chief of party role or as a senior expert advisor is necessary, as well as at least 2 years of staff management experience that fosters a learning environment. Coaching experience with senior program staff is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in international development, International Relations, or a related technical field. A PhD is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of complex international development issues.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically a minimum of 7 years in relevant management and technical roles. This includes 5 years of experience managing donor funds, particularly in multi-country contexts, and a strong background in health program implementation. Candidates should have experience as a chief of party or senior expert advisor, along with at least 2 years of experience in staff management, demonstrating the ability to create a supportive learning environment and coach senior program staff effectively.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the regions in which CRS operates, but English is essential for communication with stakeholders and reporting.

Additional Notes:
This position includes supervisory responsibilities and requires a willingness to travel up to 50%. 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 are based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment may be influenced by a term limit based on the job type and agency needs. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from exploitation and abuse, and candidates are expected to adhere to the agency's Code of Conduct. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS has offices.