Senior Program Manager

Job Posting Organization:
CRS (Catholic Relief Services) is a leading international humanitarian agency that works 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 worldwide and operates numerous programs 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 focused on improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Job Overview:
As a member of the Afghanistan Senior Management Team, the Senior Program Manager will provide strategic direction, leadership, and management of the programming portfolio. This role is crucial for ensuring the establishment and successful implementation of high-quality programs that serve the poor and vulnerable populations in Afghanistan. The Senior Program Manager will leverage their leadership and management skills to ensure that the Country Program (CP) delivers impactful programming while continuously seeking to improve its effectiveness. Additionally, this position involves proactive management of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and mitigation of security risks, which is essential in the context of Afghanistan.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Program Manager will collaborate with the Country Representative to provide strategic direction for the design of CP strategic frameworks and plans, including resource mobilization strategies that optimize the impact of programming interventions. Key responsibilities include managing talent and supervising staff, fostering team dynamics and staff well-being, providing coaching, developing individual development plans, and conducting performance assessments for direct reports. The role also involves contributing to staffing plans for projects and participating in the recruitment process for senior project staff. The Senior Program Manager will support the identification, assessment, and strengthening of local partners to design and deliver quality programming, applying CRS partnership principles and promoting sustainable local leadership. Collaboration with operations leads is essential to ensure appropriate project budgeting and efficient use of project resources. The Senior Program Manager will ensure technical assistance and capacity strengthening for project teams and partners, identify training opportunities, develop training curricula, and deliver trainings. They will lead high-quality project design, coordinate planning across various projects to ensure integration of program interventions, and create a safe environment for learning and sharing ideas. Promoting accountability, learning, and knowledge management is also a critical aspect of this role, overseeing the implementation of the MEAL policy and facilitating cross-sectoral learning. Finally, the Senior Program Manager will coordinate with resource mobilization staff to oversee the business development cycle, ensuring quality proposals that meet agency and donor standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in International Development, International Relations, or a relevant field. A minimum of 5-8 years of relevant field-based program management experience is required, including at least 2 years in a senior management role. Candidates should have experience in developing successful proposals, reports, strategic alliances, project design, project management, and monitoring and evaluation. Additionally, experience in partner capacity strengthening, staff development, training, mentoring, team building, and strategic planning initiatives is essential. Familiarity with project grants management, including project design, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting, particularly for projects funded by multiple public donors, is also required. Experience with successful business development activities capturing public and/or private donor funding is preferred.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor's Degree in International Development, International Relations, or a relevant field. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of international development work and the specific challenges faced in program management within the context of Afghanistan.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 5-8 years of relevant field-based program management experience, with at least 2 years in a senior management capacity. This experience should include a strong track record in developing successful proposals, managing projects, and leading teams effectively. Candidates should also have experience in partner capacity strengthening and staff development, which are critical for fostering a productive work environment and ensuring the success of program initiatives.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, particularly in writing, as excellent English writing skills are required for this position. While English is the primary language of communication, knowledge of local languages may be beneficial but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Kabul, Afghanistan, and requires the candidate to be willing and able to travel up to 30% within the country. The Senior Program Manager will have supervisory responsibilities over Program Managers and Technical Advisors. 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.