Job Summary
You will manage and provide technical oversight of development and implementation of anticipatory action, emergency response and recovery programming within the Afghanistan and Pakistan Business Management Unit, accompanying a dynamic team to ensure effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality interventions that advances CRS' work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your knowledge, capacity strengthening skills and management abilities will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming with strengthened local partnerships that apply best practices and constantly work towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
- In close collaboration with the Senior Management Team and Humanitarian Response Department (HRD) Emergency Technical Advisors, manage the planning, strategy and implementation of all emergency response and recovery activities in line with CRS quality standards, donor requirements, and national and international standards and ensure program components are implemented in an integrated manner with other ongoing programming, ensuring staff safety and security.
- Support the identification, assessment, accompaniment and strengthening of local partner organizations to design and deliver quality emergency response, anticipatory action and recovery programming, applying CRS partnership principles, tools and approaches, and promoting sustainable local leadership.
- Ensure technical assistance and capacity strengthening for emergencies, anticipatory action and recovery project teams (CRS and partners) in project management standards, emergency preparedness, cash readiness, MEAL, business development and operational activities.
- Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of anticipatory action and emergency staff, and complete performance management for direct reports. Build a strong cohesive team.
- Promote MEAL and knowledge management by leading program/project reviews and reflections with staff and partner representatives and documentation of good practices and lessons learned for assessments, to adjust strategies and implementation plans, to inform future programming initiatives and approaches, and to contribute to organizational learning.
- Represent CRS and collaborate, coordinate and communicate on a regular basis with donors, NGO working groups, the UN, and relevant local administration and community actors to keep abreast of changing needs and opportunities on the ground, to develop synergies, and to identify opportunities for growth.
- Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality emergency proposals per agency and donor standards. Contribute to strategic positioning, partner identification, budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
- Identify emergency capacity building needs for staff and local partner organizations and take the lead on planning emergency training and capacity building programs and activities, developing curricula, and delivering capacity sharing sessions.
- Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in International Development, International Relations or relevant field.
- Minimum of 8 years of field-based work experience in a program/project management position with an international NGO, with at least 2-3 years working in emergency response programming.
- Demonstrated ability to represent CRS at coordination meetings with donors, local administration, UN, and other international NGOs.
- Experience engaging local partners and strengthening partnerships.
- Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching and mentoring senior program staff.
- Strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to exercise sound judgment.
- Excellent relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
- Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching/mentoring skills.
- Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with emergency proposals and strategy design. Familiarity with policies, procedures, and priorities of US Government, the EU, FCDO, UN agencies and Caritas agencies preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong knowledge of emergency guidelines and standards.
- Strong experience implementing market-based approaches in emergency programming
- Experience in building and motivating diverse and talented teams.
- Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
- Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions with limited or incomplete information and offer innovative solutions.
- Strong representation and relationship management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally.
- Ability to work long hours in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities.
- Able to live in an environment where everyday comforts are not ready available.
- Ability to function well in a stressful environment, stay focused, and maintain sufficient work life balance with limited options for downtime activity.
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
Required Languages: English
Travel: This position is based in Kabul. Selected candidate must be willing and able to travel up to 40% in-country Afghanistan, and as needed internationally to Pakistan
Supervisory Responsibilities: Senior Project Officers focused on emergency programs, emergency operations, emergency education and local partnerships.
Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
- Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
- Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
- Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
- Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
- Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
Agency Leadership Competencies:
- Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
- Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
- Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
What we offer
CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Salary and benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role. CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
Organization context
General Requirements
CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements. All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.
CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.
