Project Director

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established over 70 years ago, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, focusing on saving, protecting, and transforming lives in need, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. The organization has a strong presence in El Salvador, where it has been actively involved in various programs aimed at supporting the poorest and most vulnerable populations. CRS El Salvador has implemented initiatives in youth workforce development, juvenile justice, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, climate-smart agriculture, water management, disaster risk reduction, and emergency response. Over the past 15 years, CRS has built strong partnerships with vocational training centers, educational institutions, and civil society organizations to expand employment opportunities for young people and strengthen local leadership and institutional capacities.

Job Overview:
The Project Director will provide leadership and overall management of a multi-country child development, care, and protection project in El Salvador. This role is crucial for ensuring that effective systems and processes are in place to meet project objectives and advance CRS's mission of serving the poor and vulnerable. The Project Director will be responsible for day-to-day project leadership, ensuring donor compliance, managing subawards, and coordinating effectively with consortium partners and government stakeholders. The position requires a proactive approach to managing security and mitigating risks, as well as a commitment to delivering high-quality programming that positions CRS as a leader in child development, care, and protection.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Director will serve as the lead relationship manager with all in-country stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organizations, and private-sector actors relevant to child development and protection. Responsibilities include leading strategic engagement efforts, overseeing project development and implementation, managing integration with the global project team, and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability. The Project Director will also supervise staffing plans, provide leadership to senior staff, ensure compliance with CRS safeguarding and security standards, and oversee the provision of high-quality technical assistance. Additionally, the role involves leading program learning initiatives, promoting efficient use of agency and donor resources, and developing communication strategies to highlight project achievements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, education, public health, international development, international relations, or a related field. A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience managing complex development programs in child protection, child welfare, family strengthening, early childhood development, or related sectors is required. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience managing donor-funded programs, including large and/or multi-country awards, and demonstrated experience in budget management and donor compliance. Additionally, candidates must have experience supervising multidisciplinary teams and fostering learning-oriented environments, as well as experience strengthening local institutions and managing safeguarding risks.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required, with a preference for candidates holding a Master’s or Doctoral degree in Social Work, Child Development, Education, Public Health, International Development, or related disciplines. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of child development and protection systems.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of experience in managing complex development programs, with at least 5 years specifically in managing donor-funded programs. Candidates should have a proven track record of supervising teams and fostering environments conducive to learning and development. Experience in strengthening local institutions and managing safeguarding risks is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Spanish is required for this position. Proficiency in these languages is critical for effective communication with stakeholders and for the successful implementation of the project.

Additional Notes:
The position is contingent upon the successful award of the project, and the duration of the position is subject to project and/or country program funding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and successful candidates will undergo comprehensive background checks. The role is full-time, and candidates should be willing to travel up to 25% to visit implementation sites. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.