Head of Programming I

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, providing relief and development services without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable through various programs, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. The agency emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, reflecting its commitment to the rights and dignity of all people. CRS has a diverse workforce and prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where it operates.

Job Overview:
The Head of Programming (HoP) I plays a crucial role as a member of the Senior Management Team in the Honduras Program (CP). This position is responsible for providing strategic direction, leadership, and management of the CP’s programming to ensure the establishment and successful implementation of high-quality programs that serve the poor and vulnerable populations. The HoP will lead efforts to improve the impact of programming, ensuring that the CP delivers high-quality services. The role involves proactive management of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and mitigation of security risks, as well as engaging with local authorities, donors, UN agencies, and other stakeholders to develop strategic partnerships that enhance the influence and scale of programming interventions. The HoP will also oversee project design, ensuring that it meets project management standards and incorporates monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) methods appropriate to the context and technical requirements of the projects. Additionally, the HoP will coordinate planning across various projects to ensure integration and efficiency in implementation, manage talent, supervise staff, and foster a positive working environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Head of Programming I include:

• Collaborating with the Country Manager to provide strategic direction for the design of the Country Program's strategic frameworks and plans, including resource mobilization strategies.
• Engaging with local authorities, donors, UN agencies, and peer organizations to develop strategic partnerships for influence and scale.
• Leading high-quality project design that incorporates project management standards and MEAL methods.
• Coordinating planning of activities across various projects to ensure integration and efficiency.
• Managing talent and supervising staff, fostering a positive working environment.
• Providing coaching and development plans for direct reports and conducting performance assessments.
• Contributing to staffing plans and recruitment processes for senior project staff.
• Establishing a safe environment for sharing ideas and addressing challenges.
• Overseeing accountability, learning, and knowledge management, including implementation of the MEAL policy. 1
• Coordinating with operations and finance teams to ensure appropriate project budgeting and stewardship of resources. 1
• Leading positioning and communications strategies to enhance engagement with stakeholders. 1
• Overseeing the business development cycle, including proposal development, to ensure quality proposals. 1
• Identifying and strengthening partnerships with government, private sector, and church partners. 1
• Providing technical assistance and capacity strengthening for project teams and partners.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Head of Programming I position include:

• A Bachelor's degree in International Development, International Relations, Development Management, or a relevant field.
• A minimum of 6 years of relevant field-based program management experience, with at least 2 years in senior management roles.
• Direct implementation experience in projects related to agriculture, education, youth, and environment-water is desired.
• Proven experience in developing successful proposals, reports, strategic alliances, project design, management, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience in partner capacity strengthening, staff development, training, mentoring, team building, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Experience in community development and mobilization or similar grassroots initiatives.
• Familiarity with project grants management, including design, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, and reporting, preferably for projects funded by public donors like USAID.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Head of Programming I position includes a Bachelor's degree in International Development, International Relations, Development Management, or a related field. A Master's degree in relevant areas is preferred, which would enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
Candidates for the Head of Programming I position should have a minimum of 6 years of relevant field-based program management experience. This experience should include at least 2 years in senior management roles overseeing projects or a portfolio of projects. Direct implementation experience in areas such as agriculture, education, youth, and environment-water is highly desirable. Additionally, candidates should have experience in developing successful proposals, reports, and strategic alliances, as well as in project design, management, and monitoring and evaluation.

Languages:
Fluency in both Spanish and English is required for the Head of Programming I position. These language skills are essential for effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including local authorities, donors, and team members.

Additional Notes:
The Head of Programming I position requires approximately 35% travel to the field. The role includes supervisory responsibilities and is expected to foster a positive working environment. 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, community members, staff, and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and successful candidates are expected to adhere to the agency's Code of Conduct.