CRS Program Manager I - DRR

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to serve the poor and vulnerable, 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 candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its mission and values.

Job Overview:
The CRS Program Manager I for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) will oversee the DRR programming within the Middle Belt Country Program. This role involves leading the design and implementation of anticipatory action and resilience-building interventions that align with CRS's mission to support the poor and vulnerable. The manager will ensure the delivery of high-quality, risk-informed programming, which includes preparedness planning, early warning systems, and community-based resilience approaches. The position requires strengthening coordination with government emergency structures and stakeholders, enhancing community capacity to respond to shocks, and driving continuous improvement in DRR interventions. The manager will also be responsible for managing project cycles, ensuring adherence to technical standards, and fostering a collaborative environment among project staff and partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Manager will lead the planning of project activities, setting high-quality performance targets and ensuring compliance with technical standards in DRR programming. Responsibilities include liaising with local government units, UN agencies, and community stakeholders for cohesive disaster management, managing all project activities from design to close-out, and ensuring efficient implementation in line with CRS program quality principles. The manager will oversee the use of appropriate systems and tools by project teams, manage team dynamics, provide coaching, and contribute to recruitment and performance management processes. Additionally, the manager will analyze project performance data, identify issues, and facilitate participatory processes to overcome obstacles. The role also involves coordinating staff capacity assessments, strengthening partnerships, and monitoring financial and material resources relevant to project needs.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have experience engaging with local partner organizations and contributing to technical proposal development. Strong critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and relationship management abilities are essential. The ideal candidate should possess strong written and verbal communication skills, with a proven track record in DRR programming, particularly in anticipatory action and early response. A proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented mindset is also required.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in disaster management, urban planning, public administration, or related natural sciences is required for this position. This educational background provides the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of disaster risk reduction and management.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of management or coordination experience in humanitarian and/or development programs that include elements of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is essential. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to manage complex projects and lead teams effectively in challenging environments.

Languages:
English is required for this position, and proficiency in other local languages will be considered an added advantage. This linguistic capability is crucial for effective communication with diverse stakeholders and community members.

Additional Notes:
The position involves supervisory responsibilities over partner DRR officers and requires a willingness to travel up to 50%. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits are based on the country of employment. The work culture at CRS is collaborative and mission-driven, focused on improving the lives of the poor globally. 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.