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 in 1943, CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world through various programs including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS has a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes staff from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. The organization prioritizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and its processes reflect this commitment. CRS operates in numerous countries and employs a diverse workforce to meet the needs of the communities it serves.

Job Overview:
The Emergency Response Program Manager will manage and provide technical oversight for the development and implementation of the Country Program’s emergency response and recovery programming. This role is crucial in ensuring that effective systems and processes are in place to support high-quality programming that aligns with CRS's mission of serving the poor and vulnerable. The manager will leverage their knowledge and skills in emergency programming to ensure the delivery of impactful emergency programming that adheres to best practices. This position is based in Goma and is contingent upon donor approval. The manager will work closely with the Country Program Senior Management Team and Emergency Technical Advisors to plan, strategize, and implement all emergency response and recovery activities in accordance with CRS quality standards and donor requirements. The role also involves representing the organization in various coordination meetings and developing synergies with donors, local government, and community actors to identify opportunities for growth and enhance CRS's position as a leader in emergency response in Eastern DRC.

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

• Manage the planning, strategy, and implementation of all emergency response and recovery activities, ensuring alignment with CRS quality standards and donor requirements.
• Lead the CRS East DRC response through effective suboffice management and supervision of the programming team.
• Strategically position CRS as a leader in emergency response in Eastern DRC through strong donor engagement and the development of a strategic vision.
• Manage talent effectively, supervise team dynamics, and ensure staff well-being.
• Provide coaching and support for individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of emergency staff, and conduct performance management for direct reports.
• Promote Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) by leading program/project reviews and reflections, documenting good practices and lessons learned, and adjusting strategies accordingly.
• Represent CRS and collaborate with donors, INGO sectoral working groups, the UN, and local government to stay informed about changing needs and opportunities.
• Serve as the technical lead and writer for emergency proposals, ensuring quality and compliance with agency and donor standards.
• Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans for proposals and identify capacity-building needs for staff and partners. 1
• Ensure timely project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient stewardship of project resources.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor's Degree in International Development, International Relations, or a relevant field.
• A minimum of 8 years of field-based work experience in a program/project management position with an international NGO, including at least 2-3 years in emergency response programming.
• Demonstrated ability to represent the organization at coordination meetings with donors, local government, UN, and other international NGOs.
• Experience in food assistance and cash and voucher assistance (CVA) in humanitarian contexts is essential.
• Preferred qualifications include experience with emergency proposals and strategy design, familiarity with the policies and procedures of USAID, DFID, UN agencies, and Caritas agencies, and experience with Country Based Pooled Funds.

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 emergency response and recovery programming, as well as the broader context of international development.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 8 years of field-based work experience in program/project management with an international NGO, specifically with at least 2-3 years focused on emergency response programming. This level of experience is critical for effectively managing emergency programs and leading teams in high-pressure environments.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are French and English. Proficiency in both languages is essential for effective communication with diverse stakeholders, including local communities, donors, and international partners. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and includes supervisory responsibilities. The successful candidate must be willing to travel up to 50% of the time. 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 all forms of exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct.