Chief of Party II

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, focusing on saving, protecting, and transforming lives in need, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. The organization engages in various programs, 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 individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to service.

Job Overview:
As Chief of Party II, you will lead the USDA Food for Progress (FFPr) project, providing strategic vision and overall management to ensure high-quality programming that serves the poor and vulnerable. Your role will involve managing security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security risks, ensuring compliance with donor expectations, and promoting CRS as a leading agency in agriculture. You will be responsible for the project's design and implementation, ensuring it meets timely and quality results while adhering to budget constraints. This position requires a proactive approach to managing team dynamics, staff well-being, and fostering a culture of learning and development within the organization. You will also represent CRS in international circles, highlighting innovative work and ensuring effective communication strategies are in place.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Your responsibilities will include leading the development and implementation of the FFPr project, serving as the primary contact for USDA/FFPr and other stakeholders, ensuring compliance with donor expectations, and managing program quality standards. You will oversee senior programming and operations talent, manage team dynamics, and provide coaching and mentoring to staff. Additionally, you will be responsible for developing staffing plans, managing risk, ensuring adherence to safety and security policies, and promoting efficient use of agency and donor resources. You will also approve program expenditures, support programmatic closeout, and manage relationships with consortium partners, ensuring effective collaboration and communication throughout the project lifecycle. Furthermore, you will identify performance gaps and training opportunities, ensuring high-quality training and technical assistance is provided to CRS and partner staff.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in International Development, International Relations, or a relevant technical area, with a PhD preferred. A minimum of 5 years of experience managing USG and/or USDA grants involving multiple sub-awardees is required, along with demonstrated experience in leading large teams in remote contexts. Candidates should have at least 10 years of experience in implementing value chain and market development programs, with expertise in SME development and private sector engagement. Experience in recruiting, developing, and managing staff is essential, as is a commitment to gender and youth dynamics. Proven success in a leadership role for a project of similar size and scope is required, preferably in one of the FY25 FFPr priority countries. Familiarity with adaptive management and learning techniques is highly encouraged, along with prior experience in the priority countries and the ability to build relationships with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in International Development, International Relations, or a relevant technical area is required for this position, with a PhD being preferred. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively manage the complexities of the FFPr project and its diverse stakeholders.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of experience managing USG and/or USDA grants, with a proven track record of implementing projects involving multiple sub-awardees. Additionally, at least 10 years of experience in leading value chain and market development programs is required, demonstrating the ability to manage large teams and navigate the challenges of remote project implementation. Experience in adaptive management and learning techniques is highly encouraged, as is familiarity with the social, political, economic, and cultural landscapes of the priority countries.

Languages:
Professional working proficiency in English is mandatory, along with proficiency in the professional working language of the FY25 FFPr country list. This linguistic capability is crucial for effective communication with diverse stakeholders and ensuring compliance with donor requirements.

Additional Notes:
This position is contingent on donor funding and approval of the candidate. The anticipated travel requirement is 50%, necessitating management of staff across various locations. CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates. The successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies, reflecting the organization's commitment to protecting vulnerable populations. The duration of the assignment may be influenced by term limits based on the job type and agency needs.