CRS has been supporting activities in Madagascar since 1962 and has long-standing relationships with church and civil society partners, the Government of Madagascar, the Private Sector and local communities in the country. The Madagascar country program is supported by diverse funding and implements emergency, recovery, and development projects across WASH, malaria, agricultural livelihoods, climate change, and education. CRS Madagascar has project offices in Ambovombe, Antananarivo, Beloha, Farafangana, Fort Dauphin, Mananjary, Tsihombe, and Tulear.

Job Summary

As Deputy Country Representative you will manage and advance the programming and operations objectives under the guidance of the Country Representative in support of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) mission to serve the poor and vulnerable. Your strategic management skills will enable you to advance CRS’ reputation and impact while you proactively manage security and mitigate security risks and liabilities.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Country Representative, lead the design of medium and long-term goals and provide strategic direction for the design of CP strategic frameworks and plans, including the development of resource mobilization strategies. Harmonize program and operations objectives in alignment with the strategy. 
• Oversee the management of projects to ensure they all meet and exceed donor expectations and are designed and implemented for maximum impact and reach. Ensure the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures. Lead planning of activities across projects from different sectors to ensure integration and efficiency in implementation.
• Effectively manage senior talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and contribute to the recruitment process of senior staff.
• Develop strategic partnerships with national and international organizations that leverage resources, reputation, and expertise in line with CRS partnership principles. Ensure strong representation to key stakeholders, including Church partners, local and national government, US government and international donors.
• 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 and ensure the updating of such plans. 
• Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Ensure compliance in operations functions. Provide oversight regarding monthly expenditures.
• Oversee the pursuit of strategic growth opportunities, prepositioning and capture planning.
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Ensure a safe environment for sharing ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Promote accountability, learning and knowledge management overseeing application of the MEAL policy, as well as cross-sectoral and cross-department learning.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. 
• Ability to represent the agency at high levels.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
• Strong 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. 
• Team leadership abilities.
• Very good communications and presentation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Experience working with Church partners a plus.

Required Languages: Advanced French, and English are required; Malagasy preferred. 

Travel: 30-40% travel with majority of time on project sites in communities we serve.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Head of Programming, Chief of Parties as well as Relevant Program Managers, and Technical Advisors.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in international development, International Relations or a related field. Additional education may substitute for some experience.
• 5-8 years’ experience managing high value relief and development programs.
• Demonstrated experience successfully managing high-value projects from multiple international donors, including USAID, DFID, and UN agencies; knowledge of relevant donor regulations.

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. 

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  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 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.