Deputy Chief of Party II - Operations

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 worldwide. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS's work encompasses various sectors, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS is dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, reflecting its commitment to the rights and dignity of all people.

Job Overview:
The Deputy Chief of Party II - Operations will play a crucial role in providing strategic operational, financial, administrative, and compliance leadership for a large, complex, multi-country child development, care, and protection project. This position is vital for ensuring that the project meets its objectives of strengthening national systems that protect vulnerable children and support families. The Deputy Chief of Party II - Operations will oversee project operations across participating countries, ensuring efficient management of finance, awards, contracts, procurement, human resources, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, information technology, logistics, and administrative functions. This role requires close collaboration with the Chief of Party and serves as a key liaison with consortium partners and country teams to ensure operational excellence and compliance with donor and CRS requirements. The successful candidate will proactively manage operational risks and contribute to the achievement of project milestones, strengthening partner operational capacity, and promoting the efficient stewardship of donor and agency resources.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the guidance of the Chief of Party, the Deputy Chief of Party II - Operations will manage key aspects of project development, implementation, and consolidation. Responsibilities include serving as a secondary point of contact to the donor and stakeholders, managing project functions to meet donor expectations, ensuring adherence to CRS program quality standards, and providing leadership for multi-country operational implementation. The role involves overseeing project operations, including finance, contracts, procurement, administration, human resources, information technology, logistics, and security functions, ensuring compliance with donor and CRS requirements. The Deputy Chief of Party II - Operations will support the achievement, monitoring, and verification of milestone-based deliverables by establishing effective operational systems, processes, and controls. Additionally, the role includes managing and supervising talent, contributing to staffing plans, managing operational risks, ensuring compliance with safety and security policies, and strengthening partner operational capacity and systems.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in international development, International Relations, or a relevant technical area. A minimum of 5 years of relevant management and technical experience is required, along with at least 2 years of experience managing donor funds, including multi-country grants. Recognized technical experience in the sector, demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations, is essential. Experience in coaching and mentoring project staff, as well as successful management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, is also required. Preferred qualifications include experience engaging partners, knowledge of CRS partnership strategy, and experience managing operations for multi-country opportunities with high-profile donors.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in international development, International Relations, or a relevant technical area is required for this position. This educational background provides the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of international development and the specific challenges faced in child protection and development projects.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant management and technical experience, with at least 2 years specifically in managing donor funds and multi-country grants. Candidates should have a proven track record of successful management in complex, high-value projects, demonstrating their ability to navigate the intricacies of international operations and compliance.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Additionally, fluency in French or Spanish is considered a plus, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in diverse environments and with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Baltimore, United States, and may involve travel up to 35%. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For successful candidates employed outside the U.S., salary and benefits packages will be based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment may be 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.