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 II-Farmer to Farmer

Band: X

Required number: One

Department: Programs

Employment Term: Definite Term up to September 2028

Reports To: Global Project Director, Farmer-to-Farmer

Country/Location: CRS Ethiopia/Addis Ababa

Job Summary:

You will manage, coordinate, and monitor project activities and relationships with partners and other project stakeholders to assist the achievement of the John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter USAID Farmer-to-Farmer Program’s objectives while advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Thematically, CRS F2F in Ethiopia is focused on the agribusiness development and nutrition sub-sectors. Your project management skills and knowledge of the program area will ensure that CRS F2F in Ethiopia delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of this project.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead technical activities, budget management, monitoring and reporting through most of the project cycle (start-up, implementation and close-out) in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.

• 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 project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.

• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project monitoring and evaluation activities following thew CRS MEAL policy. Proactively identify issues and report them in order to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.

• Engage and strengthen partnerships relevant to F2F applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches. Maintain an excellent working relationship with all F2F volunteers visiting Ethiopia.

• Represent the organization at the USAID Mission in Ethiopia and at USAID implementing partners meetings and in INGO working groups. Represent the organization to relevant local partners and national, district and local Government of Ethiopia officials, key US agricultural development stakeholders and other relevant stakeholders in both the US and Ethiopia.

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

• Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and disseminate results. Review project documentation to ensure project file is complete with all required documentation and is filed per agency and donor requirements.

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.

Job Requirements

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required, (preferably in Agriculture, Nutrition or International Affairs). Master’s Degree would be a plus.

• Minimum of 8 years of work experience in project management, ideally in the field agriculture/ agribusiness, food security, nutrition, natural resource management, or livestock development for an NGO.

• Additional experience may be a substitute for some education.

• Experience in agricultural production, marketing and/or development

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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

• Ability to think strategically.

• Ability to network effectively with country agricultural sector stakeholders.

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

• Representation abilities.

• Ability to manage processes efficiently and manage staff supportively.

• Ability to contribute to written reports in English.

• Ability to manage a budget and track spending.

• Understanding of/openness to people from other cultures, especially the US.

• Proactive, results-oriented, service-oriented, and detail-oriented.

• Accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.

How to Apply

You should fill the application form through THIS LINK and attach your up-to-date CV. 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.

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 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