Program Manager I, Emergency Response and Recovery, ESARO

Position duration: Tentative July 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027

Location: Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Malawi

Note: this is the general coverage area of this role; this position is a Remote based position and we will consider only qualified applicants located in these countries. Relocation is not available

Project Overview

Catholic Relief Services is implementing a global emergency response initiative designed to deliver timely, life‑saving humanitarian assistance in rapidly evolving crises worldwide. Over 18 months, the program enables fast, flexible action to address urgent needs arising from sudden shocks and protracted emergencies. It supports critical humanitarian sectors through context‑appropriate assistance while emphasizing operational readiness, locally led implementation, accountability to affected communities, and safe, dignified programming. Emergency Program Managers will support Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Malawi, providing readiness and response support based on evolving needs, with the composition of countries adapted according to context and operational priorities. The initiative strengthens the organization’s ability to respond at speed and scale in complex and resource‑constrained environments, ensuring help reaches people most in need when it matters most.

Job Summary

You will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the emergency response and recovery programming, particularly for large and complex projects, ensuring effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. The role contributes to CRS’ capacity, supporting target countries across a specified focus region, of emergency program across project cycle. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that CRS delivers high-quality emergency programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its emergency response and recovery programming.

The Emergency Program Manager I will work closely with program office, partners and other technical departments (WASH, Food Security, Cash, Shelter etc.) to support the establishment and strengthening program function, including hazard and risks mapping, response plan, MEAL readiness and donor communication channel. S/he will support the application of CRS program standards and donor requirements, contribute to readiness learning and support rapid response and lead readiness efforts for CRS program offices and partners to promote efficient, high quality and rapid humanitarian response.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of all new and existing emergency response and recovery projects throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Effectively manage talent for emergency response and recovery programs and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailored individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in emergency response and recovery for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Lead the development of program learning - identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in emergency response and recovery and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency's knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
• Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the program office (PO) emergency response and recovery portfolio in line with agency, regional, and PO strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality emergency response and recovery proposals per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to emergency response and recovery and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Represent CRS in relevant working groups and clusters, with key donors, and other local stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• MEAL skills and experience.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including US government and UN.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions.
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in International Development, International Relations, Community Development, or in the field of WASH, shelter, livelihoods, or food security.
• At least 1 years working experience in the area of emergency programming, including WASH, shelter, livelihoods, and/or food security programming.

Required Languages: Proficiency (verbal and written) in English is required; French and Portuguese is preferred.

Travel: Must be able and willing to travel at least 50% of time often at very short notice (within 48 hours) and for an average of four-six weeks (with a maximum of two consecutive months under exceptional circumstances). Should have the capacity to live and work in difficult/stressful environments and serve wherever agency needs dictate.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, International Relations, Community Development, or in the field of WASH, shelter, livelihoods, or food security required.
• Minimum of 2 years' experience in relevant field-based project management experience.
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects.
• Experience in an international NGO.
• Experience working closely with local partner organizations.
• Located in or able to cover Easter and Southern Africa time zones.

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

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.