**This position is contingent on funding confirmation**

About CRS 

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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. 

CRS Moldova and Ukraine 

Building on a modest pre-existing presence, the Moldova and Ukraine Country Office (CO) rapidly expanded its programming following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Between 2022 and 2025, CRS reached over 500,000 people through a comprehensive emergency, recovery and development strategy encompassing shelter and infrastructure, winterization, basic needs, education, livelihoods, protection, and care reform. The CO also prioritized strengthening partner capacity and fostering local leadership to amplify impact and reach millions more. Looking ahead, priorities include diversifying programming for the most vulnerable, integrating systemic outcomes for scale, and deepening partnerships across both countries. CRS’ portfolio is resourced by institutional donors and private emergency funding. 

This position is focused on and based in Ukraine. 

Job Summary

You will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the Country Program (CP) emergency response and recovery programming, particularly for large and complex projects including basic needs, shelter and settlements, winterization, livelihoods and protection. You will ensure effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) and partners work to serve the most vulnerable and conflict-affected people in Ukraine. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP and partners delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of our joint programs.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with partners to provide management, guidance, and technical oversight for new and existing projects 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. 
• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Lead the development of program learning - identify opportunities for learning, research and publications and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency's knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
• Contribute to the CO Strategy and proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CO portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CO strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals in per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailored individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports. 

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree 

• Experience in an international NGO an advantage

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Demonstrated knowledge of Humanitarian principles, standards and system, with specific knowledge of CRS and Caritas Internationalis emergency programming and standards a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
• Familiar with security protocols and proficient in management of emergency programs in insecure environments.
• Excellent relationship management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Experience with MEAL required. Experience using digital tools such as CommCare, Kobo, and Powerbi a plus
• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including US Government.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Good facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills

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

Required Languages: English fluency (written and verbal) is required, knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian is an advantage.

Travel: Up to 30% of field travel within Ukraine, primarily to partner offices.

Supervisory Responsibilities: To be determined. 

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: Program Managers, MEAL Manager, PQ Coordinator, Head of Operations, Head of Programs, Country Representative, EMECA regional staff

External: Caritas national and local offices, institutional donors, local government, USG, United Nations and international NGOs.   

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in International Development, International Relations or Humanitarian Assistance required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 8 years' experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 3 years working experience in the area of emergency and recovery programming.
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• 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.

What we offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.  Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.  CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

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