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.

Job title:Head Of OfficeJob Grade:10Number required:OneReports to:Country Representative (but works closely with DCR-OperationsDepartment:OperationsDuty Location:Mekelle, TigrayTerm of EmploymentIndefiniteApplication Deadline:July 17, 2024.

  Job Summary: 

You will represent and manage and Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) activities operating through its fully operational sub-office in Mekelle to ensure implementation of high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. Out of the Mekelle sub-office you will ensure the development and effective management of operational systems and resources and the delivery of high-quality programming in coordination with the CRS main office in Addis Ababa 

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• As the primary representative of CRS in Mekelle sub-office, strengthen existing and develop new relationships with local partners, government, and community organizations.

• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports. Monitor and assess performance to ensure adequate capacity. Contribute to staffing plans and recruitment process of senior staff.

• Proactively manage security and mitigate security risks. Ensure a safe work and living environment through leading implementation of safety and security protocols and staff care and well-being best practices.

• Manage risk and address challenges that affect the proper stewardship, optimal utilization and maintenance of program assets and resources (financial, human, and material).

• Proactively and effectively manage resources and promote stewardship, ensuring program and operations teams and partner staff have and optimize the appropriate human, financial, and material resources and tools.

• Actively engage in budget management, and review meetings with program staff in the sub office, support and follow up timely liquidation and reports from partners and also partner capacity building.

• Monitor day-to-day operations to ensure all operational services (HR, Finance, Supply Chain, Admin, ICT, Safety and Security) are delivered with high quality in an efficient manner and adhere to policies.

• Approve expenses and monitor spending in line with operational and programmatic needs and donor requirements. Handle budgeting and forecasting in coordination with finance and procurement teams.

• Manage planning and implementation of all key activities at the sub-office level ensuring alignment with Country Program (CP) and agency strategic programming and operations excellence priorities and standards.

• Ensure high-quality project implementation, management, and compliance with programmatic standards, policies and procedures through project review systems and quality control (comprehensive M&E systems, budget review and analysis). Promote documentation of program reviews, success stories, and lessons learned.

• Create and maintain the proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for the sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to small deficiencies. Identify capacity strengthening needs for staff and partners and coordinate with CRS Ethiopia program and operations teams to address capacity strengthening.

• Acts as the designated point of contact for safeguarding issues, ensuring implementation procedures are in place in accordance with the organization's Safeguarding policy, and provides support and guidance to staff, partners, and stakeholders. 

Basic Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Business Administration, International Relations, or relevant field required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.

• Minimum of 5 years' work experience in a non-profit, development, and/or humanitarian organization with progressive responsibilities and some project management experience. 

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

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

Required Languages – Strong written and spoken English as well as spoken Amharic and Tigrigna required to perform the job.

Travel Required: Up to 35% travel to field operational locations in the region and Addis Ababa for meetings and trainings.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

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

• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.

• Partnership & Capacity Strengthening skills and experience.

• Team leadership abilities

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

• Able to live in an environment where everyday comforts may not be readily available.  

• Models, cultivates, and promotes a workplace environment in which all people are treated with respect and are safe from all forms of harassment, abuse, and exploitation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with projects funded by multiple public donors, including USAID. 

• Experience in stakeholder management and establishing and strengthening community partnerships.

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

• Knowledge of procurement and general office administrative/management issues

• Experience in commodity management and/or agriculture/WASH is advantageous. Experience with an international organization a plus. Experience in managing in an Emergency: Working experience with USAID/BHA/WFP/UNOCHA

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.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none)

Supervisory: Admin Manager, Senior HR Officer, Emergency Program Manager, PCS Program Manager, Senior Finance Officer, Security and Safety Officer and JEOP team. 

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: CRS Senior Management, program managers, logistics managers

External: Partner management and staff, vendors and service providers, auditors, government representatives

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

How To Apply

If you are ready to take on this rewarding opportunity and make a difference in the lives of others, you may fill out the application form through this link:  CLICK HERE

and attach your up-to-date CV on/before the application deadline July 17, 2024. You will be contacted only if selected for a 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. 

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

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer