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, focusing on various sectors including 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 emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values. The agency is dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, ensuring that its processes reflect this commitment. CRS also prioritizes hiring candidates from the regions in which it operates, and its talent acquisition procedures are designed to uphold the rights and dignity of all individuals.

Job Overview:
As Chief of Party I, you will lead the McGovern Dole Food for Education (MGD/FFE) project in Guinea, focusing on providing leadership and overall management to serve the poor and vulnerable populations. Your role will involve ensuring the delivery of high-quality programming and enhancing CRS's reputation as a leader in school feeding initiatives. You will be responsible for motivating and managing the project team, ensuring project success, and utilizing lessons learned for adaptive management. As a senior leader, you will proactively manage risks and ensure compliance with donor expectations, including timely reporting and budget management. Your leadership will also involve fostering a collaborative environment among programmatic and operational staff, ensuring adherence to CRS program quality standards, and promoting staff well-being through effective management and mentoring.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Your responsibilities will include leading the implementation of the MGD/FFE project, representing CRS to USDA and other stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements. You will oversee project impact maximization, timely reporting, and budget management, while also coordinating between programmatic and operational teams. You will manage senior programming and operations talent, provide coaching and mentoring, and develop staffing plans. Risk management will be crucial, as you will monitor national and regional issues affecting staff and programming. You will ensure adherence to CRS safety and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security-policies" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security policies, enforce safeguarding and protection policies, and promote efficient use of agency and donor resources. Additionally, you will approve program expenditures, develop communication strategies, and maintain relationships with government authorities and consortium partners. Your role will also involve identifying performance gaps, training opportunities, and ensuring high-quality training and technical assistance for staff.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in international development, International Relations, or a relevant technical area, with a Master’s degree preferred. A minimum of 5-8 years of relevant management and technical experience is required, including at least 5 years managing donor funds and multi-country grants. Strong knowledge and experience in budget management, along with 5 years of staff management experience conducive to a learning environment, are essential. Experience in coaching senior program staff is also required. Preferred qualifications include 9+ years of relevant experience, recognized leadership in the sector, and demonstrated experience managing USDA-funded programs, including compliance and reporting.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in international development, International Relations, or a relevant technical area, with a preference for candidates holding a Master’s degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage the project and lead the team.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5-8 years of relevant management and technical experience, with at least 5 years specifically managing donor funds, including multi-country grants. Experience in budget management and staff management is crucial, as well as a proven track record in coaching senior program staff. Preferred candidates will have 9+ years of experience and a recognized leadership role in the sector.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is required, both written and spoken. This bilingual capability is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and team members in the region.

Additional Notes:
This position is contingent on donor approval and funding. The role involves 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. 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 job type and agency needs. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct.