Country Program Manager

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 individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The organization emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture aimed at improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Job Overview:
The Country Program Manager will oversee a small country program office, managing people, partners, resources, and deliverables in alignment with CRS's objectives and mission. This role involves acting as a representative and ambassador for CRS and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to key stakeholders, including local government, partners, and donors. The manager will identify funding opportunities to advance CRS's strategy and raise critical resources to ensure the continuation of its work serving the poor and marginalized. The position requires ensuring high-quality programming and continuously improving the impact of the programs. The manager will coordinate activities across various projects from different sectors to ensure integration of program interventions and efficiency in implementation. This position is pending donor approval.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Country Program Manager will develop strategic partnerships with national and international organizations within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) landscape. Responsibilities include ensuring strong representation to key stakeholders, managing workforce planning, team development, and staff well-being in a manner that reflects CRS's values and principles. The manager will provide coaching and mentoring to staff, ensuring adherence to CRS's safety and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security-policies" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security policies. The role also involves ensuring that all projects meet and exceed donor expectations, are designed for maximum impact, and adhere to CRS's program quality standards. The manager will oversee financial and resource management, ensuring compliance with donor expectations and guidelines, and will cultivate effective donor relationships to identify strategic growth opportunities. Additionally, the manager will promote accountability, learning, and knowledge management, oversee the application of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) standards, and manage risk by monitoring national and regional issues that may impact staff and programming. The manager will also champion safeguarding principles and ensure quality implementation of safeguarding policies across all functions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in International Development, International Relations, Public Health, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years’ experience managing high-value relief and development programs is required. Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree in a relevant field, experience in complex development settings, and demonstrated success in managing high-value projects from multiple international donors. Knowledge of relevant donor regulations, experience in business development, and private sector engagement are also preferred. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing staff and developing leaders, as well as experience with Microsoft 360 and budget management systems. Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills are essential, along with the ability to represent the agency at high levels.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in International Development, International Relations, Public Health, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the position.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience managing high-value relief and development programs. Candidates with experience in complex development settings and managing projects from multiple international donors will be favored. Demonstrated experience in business development and private sector engagement is also beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French, both written and verbal, is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position includes supervisory responsibilities and requires the candidate to be willing to travel up to 30%. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Salary and benefits for candidates employed outside the U.S. 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 successful candidates are expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct.