Country Program Senior Manager

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to serve those in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, focusing on various areas such as emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS has a collaborative, mission-driven culture that emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. The agency welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its values and commitment to service.

Job Overview:
As a member of the Country Program (CP) Senior Management Team, the Country Program Senior Manager will provide strategic direction, leadership, and management of the CP’s programming. This role is crucial for ensuring the establishment and successful implementation of high-quality programs that serve the poor and vulnerable populations. The Senior Manager will be responsible for delivering high-quality programming and continuously improving its impact in a complex and rapidly changing context. This position requires proactive risk management, including the mitigation of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security risks, and involves close collaboration with the Country Representative and Deputy Country Representative to design strategic frameworks and resource mobilization strategies that align with regional and agency priorities. The Senior Manager will also lead project design, manage relationships with key stakeholders, and ensure effective integration of program interventions across various projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Country Program Senior Manager will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Collaborating with the Country Representative to provide strategic direction for the CP’s frameworks and plans.
• Developing resource mobilization strategies to enhance the impact of programming interventions.
• Managing relationships with external stakeholders, including donors and humanitarian community leaders.
• Leading high-quality project design that adheres to project management standards and MEAL methods.
• Coordinating planning across various projects to ensure efficiency and integration.
• Managing team dynamics and staff well-being, providing coaching and performance assessments.
• Developing staffing plans and participating in the recruitment of senior project staff.
• Creating a learning environment that encourages sharing of ideas and solutions.
• Promoting accountability and knowledge management through the implementation of MEAL policies. 1
• Overseeing project budgeting and resource stewardship. 1
• Leading the business development cycle to ensure quality proposals and reporting. 1
• Strengthening partnerships and providing technical assistance to project teams and partners. 1
• Identifying training opportunities and developing training curriculums.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Country Program Senior Manager position should possess the following qualifications:

• A Master's Degree in International Development, International Relations, or a relevant field.
• A minimum of five years of relevant field-based program management experience, including at least three years in middle or senior management roles.
• At least two years of experience working in complex crisis environments.
• Proven experience in developing successful proposals, reports, and strategic alliances.
• Strong background in project design, management, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience in partner capacity strengthening, staff development, and training.
• Familiarity with community development and grassroots initiatives.
• Experience in project grants management, including budget preparation and expenditure tracking.
• A track record of successful business development activities with public or private donors.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master's Degree in a relevant field such as International Development or International Relations. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of program management in humanitarian contexts and for developing effective strategies to address the needs of vulnerable populations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant field-based program management experience, with at least three years in middle or senior management roles. Candidates should have experience working in complex crises and a proven track record in project design, management, and monitoring and evaluation. Additionally, experience in partner capacity strengthening and staff development is crucial for this role.

Languages:
Excellent written and verbal English is mandatory for this position, while verbal proficiency in Arabic is preferred. This language requirement is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and team members in the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Jerusalem and involves regular day trips into the West Bank, with approximately 25% travel into Gaza and occasional travel within the region for training purposes. The role includes supervisory responsibilities for CP Program Managers and Technical Advisors. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits are based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment may be influenced by a term limit based on job type and agency needs. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from exploitation and abuse, and successful candidates are expected to adhere to the agency's Code of Conduct.