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. 

In Ukraine, CRS has provided technical support and accompaniment to Caritas Ukraine (CUA) in managing the U.S. Government (USG) Department of State (DOS)-funded program Multi-Sector Assistance to War-Affected People in Ukraine since February 2024. The next phase of the project will significantly broaden its scope and scale, delivering critical services to a larger number of war-affected communities. Through capacity sharing and accompaniment, CRS supports CUA on all aspects of implementation including program management, technical sectors, MEAL, grants management and reporting, operations, compliance and risk management. The support is led and coordinated by a Project Director, with active involvement from the Country Office senior management, programming and operations teams, as well as regional and global advisors, and strategic engagement of agency senior leadership. 

This position is focused on and based in Ukraine. 

Job Summary

As Deputy Project Director – Operations, you will work as part of a team on the DOS-funded Multi-Sector Assistance to War-Affected People in Ukraine project and provide oversight of the Operations function of the project. Your management and technical knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality support services to the programing activities. As a senior leader you will proactively manage and mitigate risks.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Manage the Operations aspect of the development, implementation and consolidation of the Multi-Sector Assistance to War-Affected People in Ukraine project.
• Provide high-level technical expertise, operational solutions and capacity strengthening with CUA. Ensure that the project’s Operations, risk management and compliance procedures meet organization standards and donor requirements. Ensure effective operational and risk management advice to CUA teams.
• Manage the operations function of the project to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget. Contribute to ensuring the CRS Operations standards are in adherence to  CRS policy and procedures. 
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Contribute to the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of senior staff. Supporting the CUA different operations functions leads in managing team dynamics. 
• Manage and mitigate risk through monitoring national and regional issues that may impact staff and operations. Ensure all CRS staff understand and adhere to CRS staff safety and security policies and plans.
• Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Ensure compliance with DoS, including financial tracking and oversight of budgets, finance, administration and reporting to DoS.
• Maintain relationships with key CUA staff in regard to area of responsibility. Contribute to ensuring coordination between program and operations leads and technical coherence across CUA and CRS.
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and recommend trainings and technical assistance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. 
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
• Very good 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. Strategic in how you approach each relationship. 
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. 
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

• Recognized technical experience and qualifications in operations, risk management, and compliance on emergency response programming

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

Travel: Up to 20% field travel within Ukraine

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in, business administration, international development, International Relations or a relevant technical area.
• With 5 years’ relevant management and technical experience.
• With 3 years’ experience managing donor funds.  Knowledge and experience in budget management.
• Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of functions of complex, multi-activity 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.  Salary and 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.