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:                        Program Manager I - Community Recovery and Resilience Project

Band:                              IX

Required number:        One

Department:                 Programs

Employment Term:      Definite Term (i.e. January 31, 2027)

Reports To:                   Deputy Head of Programs

Country/Location:       CRS Ethiopia/Addis Ababa

Job Summary:

Funded by Helmsley Charitable Trust, Community Recovery and Resilience Project is a comprehensive, multisectoral project aims to build the resilience of communities that have faced years of chronic drought, climate change-induced disasters, land degradation, intercommunal conflict, and high inflation. The project, planned to be implemented in three woredas of West Hararghe zone, will support farmers to increase production, productivity, and incomes; diversify economic activities; and enhance livelihoods through knowledge and skills building on improved agricultural techniques and provide agricultural inputs. The incumbent will manage, coordinate, and monitor Community Recovery and Resilience Project (CRRP) activities and relationships with partners and other project stakeholders to assist the achievement of the project objectives advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your project management skills and knowledge of the program area will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of this project.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of the response and recovery project within the CP program unit 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.

• Lead technical, budget management, monitoring and reporting activities throughout most of the project cycle - in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.

• Effectively manage talent and supervise and manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff.

• Lead the development of program learning - identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in the area of the project and implementation of MEAL policy.

• Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda.

• Oversee and monitor progresses, evaluation, measuring uptake of practices, and best practices for further documentation through field visits and meetings with partners and beneficiaries, and review of reports and provide constructive feedback to partners and CRS staff

• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for project and partner staff to enhance program quality and impact.

• Engage and strengthen partnerships, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches. Coordinates and networks with Government, Donors and peer organizations working in Agriculture and livelihood.

• Represent the organization with donors, INGO working groups, UN, relevant local partners and relevant local government and community actors.

• Coordinate activities required for ensuring the financial, material and human resources for the quality implementation of different projects under the program.

• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.

• Review annual and quarterly implementation plans and ensure resources are properly planned and managed.

• Conduct periodic budget reviews and follow-up with partners on timely submission of financial reports to facilitate proper tracking of resource use.

• Identify staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organization and contribute to capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.

• Coordinate and prepare periodic, quarterly and annual reports for submission to donor/ CRS (country, region and HQs) and government.

• Review project documentation to ensure project file is complete with all required documentation and is filed per agency and donor requirements.

• Act as a key resource person in project design and proposal development in respective programming area. Engage in business development activities (data collection, technical proposal writing and budget development).

• Coordinate and involve in data collection for different assessments and writing of reports.

• Monitor progress of response and recovery project through field visits, reviewing reports, meetings with partners and beneficiaries and provide feedback to partners.

Job Requirements

Education and Experience

• An advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in agriculture, forestry, international development, rural development, natural resource management, food security and related fields. An advanced degree can be substituted with an additional 3 years of relevant experience.

• Minimum 5 years demonstrated experience with development projects for Masters.

• Project management experience is highly desirable.

• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.

• Staff management experience

• Experience engaging with partner organizations

• Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals and writing high quality reports.

• MEAL skills and experience

• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

 Personal Skills

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.

• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders. Representation abilities.

• Ability to contribute to written reports.

• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.

 Required Language: English

Required Travel: Extensive travels within Ethiopia (50%)

Key Working Relationships

Supervisory: DHOP, Project Officers

Internal: DHOP, PM Ag/LH, Operation (HR, finance, admin, logistics), DCOPs, other PMs, MEAL PM

External: Partners, Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Bureau of Agriculture, Donors

 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  

  Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff): 

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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.   

• 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. 

 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: You should fill the application form through this link: CLICK HERE and attach your up-to-date CV on / before the application deadline November 13, 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.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. 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 protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.   

What we offer: 

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world. 

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

Equal Opportunity Employer