Program Manager II - Localization, Partnership, and Capacity Strengthening (PCS/LL)

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, focusing on various sectors such as emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to serving the poor and vulnerable without regard to race, religion, or nationality. CRS has a collaborative, mission-driven culture that emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. The agency welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to humanitarian work.

Job Overview:
The Program Manager II for Localization, Partnership, and Capacity Strengthening (PCS/LL) will be responsible for managing and providing technical oversight for the development and implementation of the Country Office (CO) partnership strategy. This role is crucial in ensuring that high-quality programming is delivered, particularly in partnership management and capacity strengthening across various projects. The manager will utilize their management skills and knowledge to enhance the impact of CRS's programming, ensuring that effective systems and processes are in place to support the organization's mission of serving the poor and vulnerable. The position requires strategic leadership in developing and implementing partnership and capacity strengthening initiatives, fostering collaboration, and integrating best practices throughout the project lifecycle. The manager will also be responsible for designing tailored capacity strengthening plans, managing monitoring and evaluation systems, and representing the organization in various coordination efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership in developing, implementing, and aligning partnership and capacity strengthening initiatives for PCS/LL, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Design, evaluate, and execute tailored capacity strengthening plans for both faith-based and secular organizations, delivering technical training and customized coaching.
• Manage the deployment of standardized monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEAL) systems within PCS/LL, ensuring adherence to financial and programmatic standards.
• Represent PCS/LL in coordination with donors, peer organizations, government agencies, and partners to advance collaborative efforts and sustainability planning.
• Oversee management and technical direction of all new and ongoing projects within the CO PCS/LL portfolio, ensuring alignment with CRS quality principles and donor requirements.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise PCS/LL teams, fostering productive team dynamics and prioritizing staff well-being.
• Lead program learning by identifying opportunities for research and implementing MEAL policies.
• Proactively contribute to identifying and pursuing new funding opportunities to drive growth of the CO PCS/LL sector portfolio.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity building initiatives in PCS/LL for both internal staff and partner organizations. 1
• Supervise the identification, assessment, and strengthening of PCS/LL partnerships, ensuring appropriate application of partnership tools and methodologies.

Required Qualifications:

• MEAL skills and experience are required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound judgments and offer innovative solutions.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations and managing relationships effectively.
• Proficient in MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), as well as web conferencing applications and information management systems.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented approach to work.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in international development, Project Management, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree is preferred. The candidate should have a minimum of 8 years of relevant field-based project management experience, with at least 3 years of working experience in PCS/LL. Experience in partnership and capacity strengthening, as well as curriculum design, is an advantage.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant field-based project management experience, with a strong preference for candidates who have at least 3 years of experience specifically in partnership and capacity strengthening initiatives. The candidate should have a proven track record of managing projects effectively and engaging with various stakeholders.

Languages:
English is required to perform the job effectively. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position may require travel up to 30%. The role includes supervisory responsibilities and is expected to foster a learning environment among staff. 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., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment for expatriates is informed by a term limit based on the job type and level, as well as the agency's needs. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from exploitation and abuse, and candidates are expected to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct.