Emergency Program Manager I - Jamaica

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to provide relief and development assistance, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide, focusing on saving, protecting, and transforming lives in need, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. The organization is dedicated to various humanitarian efforts, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS employs a diverse workforce and is committed to safeguarding vulnerable populations from abuse and exploitation, reflecting its mission-driven culture and values.

Job Overview:
The Emergency Program Manager I will be seconded to Caritas Antilles in Jamaica to support the Hurricane Melissa Emergency Response. This role is crucial in advancing CRS's work in localization and serving the poor and vulnerable. The PM I will ensure that local partners deliver high-quality programming and continuously improve their impact. The position involves close collaboration with Caritas Antilles and the Dioceses in Jamaica, focusing on strengthening emergency response and early recovery capacities. The PM I will oversee the implementation of various emergency and early recovery projects, including emergency relief distribution, shelter, disaster risk reduction, and livelihood recovery, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and compliance with humanitarian principles. This role is designed to provide operational support while enhancing the systems and workflows of local teams, ensuring that the local leadership is supported rather than replaced.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Emergency Program Manager I will be responsible for managing and implementing all activities throughout the Hurricane Response and recovery project cycles. This includes project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out, ensuring efficient and effective implementation in line with CRS program quality principles and standards. The PM I will manage team dynamics and staff well-being, champion learning with project staff and partner teams, and analyze project performance data. They will coordinate the identification of staff capacity needs and technical assistance for partner organizations, ensuring quality project implementation. The PM I will also represent Caritas Antilles in various coordination platforms, ensure adherence to international guiding principles, and contribute to new project designs and proposals. Additional responsibilities include supporting the development of close-out deliverables, identifying bottlenecks, and co-creating solutions with local teams, and ensuring alignment with social protection systems.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in international development, International Relations, Project Management, or related fields. A minimum of 2-3 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing moderately complex projects is required, preferably with an international NGO. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of humanitarian coordination systems, stakeholder engagement, and humanitarian programming principles. Experience in integrating cross-cutting themes such as capacity building, emergency response, and monitoring and evaluation is essential. Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, along with excellent communication skills in English, are required.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in international development, International Relations, Project Management, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred, particularly in areas related to project management, disaster risk reduction, or humanitarian programming. Candidates should have a strong understanding of humanitarian principles and the ability to navigate complex coordination systems.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 2-3 years of relevant field-based experience in managing or coordinating projects, particularly in emergency response settings. Experience working with local partners and understanding the dynamics of humanitarian coordination is crucial. Candidates with experience in church partnerships or similar organizations will be given preference.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This is a remote position with deployment to Jamaica, and candidates based in countries where CRS is registered will be prioritized. The length of the assignment is 12 months, with the potential for extension based on funding availability. The position is full-time, and the successful candidate will be expected to work closely with local teams and stakeholders, ensuring compliance with safeguarding standards and humanitarian principles. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, and a retirement savings plan for U.S.-based staff, while benefits for international candidates will be based on the country of employment.