Chief of Party I

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 services 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 candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency's processes and policies reflect its dedication to safeguarding and ensuring the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults. CRS has a strong emphasis on integrity, continuous improvement, and building relationships, which are core to its mission and operations.

Job Overview:
As Chief of Party I, you will be responsible for managing and providing technical oversight for the Land Restoration Initiative in the Philippines. This initiative aims to integrate land restoration practices, community visioning, and value-chain upgrades while evaluating carbon financing as a potential funding stream. Your role will involve ensuring stakeholder engagement, particularly with government entities and local partners, to secure necessary support and buy-in for the project. You will lead the development, implementation, and learning aspects of the initiative, ensuring that it aligns with industry standards and best practices. Your management skills will be crucial in delivering high-quality programming and contributing to agency learning. Additionally, you will proactively manage security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and mitigate risks associated with the project, ensuring that all systems and processes are in place to support effective programming that serves the poor and vulnerable populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of the Land Restoration Initiative, ensuring alignment with CRS quality standards and compliance principles.
• Engage with government entities and local partners to secure support and buy-in for the project.
• Manage a multi-agency, multidisciplinary team, ensuring effective integration and collaboration among staff.
• Oversee project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out, ensuring adherence to industry standards and good practices.
• Ensure programmatic integration of land restoration approaches in collaboration with CRS and partner staff.
• Manage and supervise the Land Restoration Initiative program team, focusing on team dynamics and staff well-being.
• Identify opportunities for learning, research, and publications, and facilitate the dissemination of promising practices.
• Contribute to the pursuit of new funding opportunities to grow the land restoration portfolio.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity-strengthening activities in sustainable agriculture practices. 1
• Ensure timely project expenditures and compliance with financial plans. 1
• Monitor national and regional issues that may impact staff and programming, managing risks effectively. 1
• Represent CRS programming in international circles and develop communication strategies that comply with donor requirements.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in international development, agriculture, natural resource management, forestry, or a related field; PhD is an advantage but not required.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant field-based project management experience, with at least 2-3 years in landscape management and restoration, climate-smart agriculture, or sustainable agriculture practices.
• Experience managing complex, high-value projects and donor funds, including multi-country grants.
• Excellent budget management skills, preferably with an international NGO.
• At least 5 years of staff management experience, with a focus on creating a learning environment.
• Experience in implementing carbon finance projects is highly preferred.

Educational Background:
Candidates should possess a Master’s degree in international development, agriculture, natural resource management, forestry, or a similar field. A PhD is considered an advantage, although not mandatory. Additional relevant experience may substitute for some educational requirements, emphasizing the importance of practical knowledge and skills in the field.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant field-based project management experience. Candidates should have at least 2-3 years of experience specifically in landscape management and restoration, climate-smart agriculture, or sustainable agriculture practices. Furthermore, a minimum of 7 years of experience managing complex, high-value projects and donor funds, including multi-country grants, is essential. Candidates should also have at least 5 years of experience in staff management, with a focus on coaching and mentoring senior program staff.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English. Knowledge of Tagalog is preferred, as it will facilitate communication with local stakeholders and partners in the Philippines.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to involve travel within the Philippines, with a requirement of up to 30% travel. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and commitment to safeguarding program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse. The anticipated duration of the assignment may be informed by a term limit based on the job type and level, as well as the agency's needs. CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where they operate, reflecting their commitment to local engagement and capacity building.