Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

Position Title:          Program Manager II - Partnership & Capacity 

                                   Strengthening (PCS), Local Leadership (LL) and Strategic Linkages

Department:            PCS and LL - Programs

Duty Station:            CRS Ethiopia/Addis Ababa

Employment Term:   Indefinite term (contingent to program funding)

Reports To:                 SR. Program Manager II Operations & Program Quality

Application Deadline:   May 4, 2023

Job Summary:

As Program Manager II, you will provide overall leadership to the PCS and LL team and be responsible to provide overall leadership to the [Capacity Strengthening of Partners Program Area] team and be responsible for the overall management of the PCS and LL activities including the quality of programmatic implementation (including monitoring, evaluation, and learning) and administrative elements of the PCS and LL activities to serve the poor and vulnerable. Ensure that PCS and LL activities results are achieved on time and on budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability, and that the budget is consumed as planned. As a leader, you will also proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate trust and mutual respect when engaging partners and coordinating the strengthening of partner capacity and strategic linkage.

• Lead the development and adoption of a common language around partnership, and capacity strengthening among CRS and partner staff.

• Lead to the development and implementation of the country program PCS strategy toward strengthening the capacity of the strategic partners as local leaders.

• Lead the localization agenda, including representation, documentation of best practices and positioning the CP and partners.

• Manage the development and maintenance of PCS systems, structures and staffing that document local leadership.

• Contribute to developing new and leveraging existing policy relevant evidence to increase funder and policy maker understanding of effective local leadership.

• Lead on-going formation processes on partnership, capacity strengthening and local leadership for colleagues to have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to work collaboratively and effectively with faith-based partners, secular civil society and government partners.

• Manage the use and apply specific methodologies, including partnership reflections and scorecards, designed to ensure the appropriateness and quality of the partnerships.

• Manage the use and apply CRS capacity assessment tools and developing capacity strengthening plans that respond to organizational weaknesses.

• Manage the use and apply a range of adult learning approaches and their appropriate application for capacity building with partners.

• Manage the use and apply institutional strengthening and accompaniment approaches that respond to organizational weaknesses.

• Manage and contribute to identifying partnership and capacity strengthening issues across organizational systems and how they interact to affect program quality and service delivery.

• Lead the development, implementation and consolidation of the PCS and LL activities. Provide oversight for PCS including all aspects of program quality, program management, representation, and human resources. Supports CR in his/her role as the primary point of contact for PCS and LL including engagement with public, private and non-government stakeholders.

• Ensure strategic objectives and results for PCS and LL are accomplished and meet technical quality standards through annual and quarterly activity planning and budget forecasts. Lead quarterly PCS and LL review of implementation plans.

• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring to CRS and partner staff. Strategically tailor development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports.

• Coordinate with M&E department to oversee the design and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation system, using appropriate PCS and LL forms, procedures, and tools for data collection and analysis as the basis for measuring, documenting and reporting outcomes.

• Manage and mitigate risk. Ensure compliance is at a forefront in delivering PCS and LL, including review capacity strengthening of partners to develop budgets, finance and administration, and reporting to their donors.

• Coordinate relationships with various CRS Ethiopia departments. Contribute to coordination of roles and activities of staff from these departments in implementation of PCS and LL activities in line with CRS partnership principles.

• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high-quality training and technical assistance.

Job Requirements

Basic Qualifications

·       Master’s degree in international development, International Relations or a related field.

·       At least 5 years of experience managing large scale development grants, preferably focusing on or considerable PCS and LL service delivery experience.

·       Proven track record of successful USG, EU, UN and other major donors funded program management, including management of multi-activity projects, complicated logistics and large budgets, as well as commodities would be a great asset.

·       At least 5 years of supervisory experience, including performance evaluation, coaching and mentoring.

Required Languages English and at least two local working languages

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

·       Proven leadership and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams

·       Proven experience in building and maintaining institutional linkages

·       Ability to work to meet deadlines in multiple tasking environments

·       Excellent organization, planning and analytical skills; detail oriented

·       Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated strength in relationship management

·       Excellent knowledge of approaches for partnership preferably with faith-based and government partners.

·       Good knowledge of approaches and strong skills for capacity building, including training and mentoring as well as developing training materials.

·       Good knowledge of approaches and strong skills for institutional strengthening, including developing and/or improving business processes, policies, and procedures.

·       Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, communication, representation, and networking skills with partners.

·       Good understanding of the Church and its internal structures.

Preferred Qualifications

·       Knowledge of CRS Partnership strategy and Partner management experience an advantage.

·       Excellent report writing skills.

·       Excellent knowledge and experience in budget management and project management.

·       Proficiency in Microsoft Office Publisher, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.

 Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Builds Relationships

• Develops Talent

• Strategic Mindset

• Accountability & Stewardship

 Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none)

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: COPs, CR, HOP, operations, HR, Regional and HQ PCS/LL team

External: Local partners, USAID, UN agencies, government partners, INGOs

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

How to Apply

You should fill the application form through this LINK and attach your up-to-date CV on/before the application deadline April 7, 2023.

You will be contacted only if selected for written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted. These job opportunities are open to Ethiopian nationals only.

CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. 

** Qualified women & persons with disability are highly encouraged to apply**