About CRS

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 is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For nearly 60 years, CRS has taken the lead in responding to natural and man-made disasters affecting Ethiopia's most vulnerable communities. Moving beyond emergency response, CRS' disaster mitigation and recovery projects in drought and flood-prone areas have rebuilt individual and community assets through non-food aid in the form of agriculture, livestock, health, nutrition, and water and sanitation assistance. CRS's humanitarian work in Ethiopia also provides livelihoods support to farmers and entrepreneurs, promotes equality and inclusion, and mitigates the impact of COVID-19.

As part of CRS family, you will join the more than 5000 strong and vibrant individuals working globally to accomplish the mission of CRS. CRS/Ethiopia invites you, the qualified candidate, to apply for the following position.

Job Title:                        Deputy Chief of Party – Operations

Required number:        One

Department:                 Programming/RFSA

Employment Term:      Definite, i.e., up to September 7, 2026

Reports To:                    Chief of Party - RFSA

Country/Location:       CRS Ethiopia/Addis Ababa

Job Summary:

As Deputy Chief of Party- Operations, you will work as part of a team on a large project and provide oversight of operations function of the Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) project to serve the poor and vulnerable. You will be responsible for ensuring efficiency and accountability of RFSA operations in support of high-quality programming. including generating financial reports, monitoring project expenses, ensuring cost effective services, facilitating requested audits (internal and external) including partners’ required audits; and ensuring coordination with main office’s Operations’ team (Finance, Administration, HR and ICT); and supporting capacity building of implementing partners around grants management. As a senior leader you will oversee project administrative and finance functions, ensuring sound management of donor resources and compliance with internal and external policies, regulations, CRS policies and procedures and local government’s laws.

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage a key aspect of the development, implementation and consolidation of the RFSA project. Serve as a point of contact on area of responsibility to the donor as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders, when needed.

• Work closely with CRS Ethiopia’s Deputy Head of Operations and Finance Manager to ensure effective and efficient service delivery to the RFSA project; ensure that they are consulted for effective and quality coordination, compliance with CRS policies and procedures, and compliance with Donor’s requirements and regulations.

• Ensure effective and efficient coordination and teamwork with CRS Ethiopia’s Operations Team (Finance, Admin-Supply Chain, HR, ICT), ensuring quality, accuracy and timely support and service delivery and communication to the RFSA project.

• Manage key function of the project to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget. Contribute to ensuring coordination between program and operations leads.

• Coordinate quarterly meetings with each Consortium Member on grants management and any Finance/Compliance TWG meetings.

• Support the overall administrative needs of RFSA staff including the optimal utilization and maintenance of program assets and resources including computers, vehicles, furniture, supplies and other equipment, logistical arrangement for staff and visitors, and procurement of materials and equipment in a transparent and accountable manner. With the CRS Ethiopia Country Program Admin Office, take an active role in inventory planning and management, accounting and recordkeeping of all properties, inventories and fixed assets.

• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Contribute to the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of senior staff.

• Manage and mitigate risk through monitoring national and regional issues that may impact staff and programming. Ensure all staff understand and adhere to CRS staff safety and security policies and plans.

• Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Help ensure compliance with the donor grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to the donor. Develop, analyze and review grant and sub-recipient grant agreements. Ensure receipt and maintenance of all Sub–recipient agreements and supporting documents. Maintain files of required financial compliance documentation (A-133, NICRA letter etc.); review documentation for potential issues; make recommendations to the Senior Management Team for improvements and action to be taken.

• Ensure compliance with CRS Risk and Fraud policy and procedures.

• Ensure regular cost efficiency analysis are conducted and shared with RFSA’s Management team and CRS Country Programme Senior Management Team.

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for internal and external stakeholders – namely the Consortium Members.

• Ensure that RFSA partners provide accurate and timely inputs into program audits; ensure timely closure of audit recommendations; document and ensure discussion and preparation of a plan of action; and monitor implementation of action/improvement plans relative to RFSA activities.

• Maintain relationships with key staff of consortium partner organizations in regard to area of responsibility. Contribute to coordination of the roles and activities of staff from other consortium member organizations in implementation 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 recommend trainings and technical assistance.

• Manage Capacity strengthening implementations for CRS staff, partners staff and Government representatives that have direct engagement with the project to align them with CRS polices and Donor requirements.

Job Requirements

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• MA/BA Degree in finance and/or accounting/business administration and related field with 7 years' relevant experience for MA or 10 years' relevant experience for BA degree.

• Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of functions (including but not limited to budgets, compliance and strengthening partner systems) of complex, multi-activity projects.

• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. 

• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.

• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems. 

Personal Skills

• Very good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.

• Very good 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.

• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Required/Desired Foreign Language

Travel Required: 20 to 30% field travel

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: RFSA Grants Manager, RFSA Senior Procurement and Compliance Officer

Internal: RFSA Chief of Party, RFSA DCOP for Programming, RFSA DCOP Gender, Youth and Social Dynamics, RFSA DCOP for MEAL, other RFSA Managers, all Country Program staff, Regional and Headquarters technical staff.

External: Implementing partners, officials at USAID, government bodies at different levels, representatives from for-profit and other non-profit organizations, representatives of non-traditional public donors including UN, World Bank, and others, and relevant GoE stakeholders

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

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 CLICK HERE and attach your up-to-date CV on / before the application deadline June 01, 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**

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer