Program Manager Sr. (Project Director – Afghanistan Pathway to Prosperity – Resilient Rural Livelihoods Pilot)

Job Posting Organization:
CRS (Catholic Relief Services) is a leading international humanitarian agency that has been working to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries. Established in 1943, CRS has a mission to alleviate suffering and provide assistance to people in need, regardless of their race, religion, or nationality. The organization employs thousands of staff members worldwide and operates in 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 emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture that focuses on improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Job Overview:
The Program Manager Sr. position, also referred to as the Project Director for the Afghanistan Pathway to Prosperity – Resilient Rural Livelihoods Pilot, is a senior leadership role responsible for providing vision, leadership, and overall management for a pilot project that integrates Natural Resource Management (NRM) and Market Systems Development (MSD) to enhance climate-resilient rural livelihoods in Afghanistan. The Project Director will not only lead the facilitative system-driven approach but will also catalyze private sector co-investment through a competitive Challenge Fund. This role is crucial in positioning CRS as a partner of choice for major development actors in Afghanistan, engaging with priority donors such as the World Bank, EU, BMZ, FCDO, and USAID. The Project Director will translate project learning into compelling insights that support donor dialogue for future investments in resilient rural development, while also strengthening the technical and leadership capacity of project and country office staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Program Manager Sr. include providing overall strategic leadership for the pilot project, ensuring that implementation remains facilitative, market-led, and systems-oriented. The Project Director will lead strategic donor engagement and positioning efforts, coordinating with regional and HQ Business Development teams to identify and cultivate emerging funding opportunities related to resilience, NRM, MSD, and rural livelihoods. The role involves full project cycle management, including design, start-up, implementation, and close-out, as well as integrated technical diagnostics. The Project Director will facilitate strategic partnerships among various stakeholders, lead scaling and learning processes, and ensure the production and dissemination of knowledge management products. Additionally, the Project Director will represent CRS in coordination forums and technical working groups, providing team leadership and compliance oversight, while ensuring adherence to CRS and World Bank standards.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Program Manager Sr. position include a Bachelor’s degree in business management, international development, agriculture, economics, or a related field. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in senior leadership roles managing complex, multi-sectoral projects. Proven experience engaging with private sector actors, academic and research institutions, government authorities, and bilateral donors is essential. Candidates should demonstrate experience applying market systems development and facilitative approaches, along with a strong background in climate resilience, land use, or natural resource management integrated with livelihoods. Successful candidates will have demonstrated success in scaling interventions, adaptive learning, and technical collaboration.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the Program Manager Sr. position are required to have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as business management, international development, agriculture, or economics. A higher degree may be preferred but is not explicitly stated as a requirement. The educational background should provide a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of managing projects in fragile contexts, particularly in relation to climate resilience and rural livelihoods.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in senior leadership roles, specifically in managing complex, multi-sectoral projects. Candidates should have a proven track record of engaging with various stakeholders, including private sector actors and government authorities, and should demonstrate experience in applying market systems development and facilitative approaches. Experience in climate resilience, land use, or natural resource management integrated with livelihoods is also essential, along with a history of successfully scaling interventions and fostering adaptive learning.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, with Dari and/or Pashto being preferred. The ability to communicate effectively in these languages will enhance engagement with local stakeholders and facilitate project implementation in Afghanistan.

Additional Notes:
The position is a full-time role with a contract duration of 6 months. The successful candidate will be expected to travel up to 60%, including to remote rural areas with challenging terrain. The role includes supervisory responsibilities and requires a strong commitment to safeguarding program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, and benefits for candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.