Job Summary:

Since the conflict began in Sudan in April 2023, CRS has opened an operational hub in Nairobi to support the Sudan country program. This position will be based in Nairobi, working for the Sudan Country Program.

The incumbent will manage and provide technical oversight for the development and implementation of the Thabat Enhancing Community Resilience Project’s Environmental and Social Safeguarding (ESS) programming. The role will ensure effective systems and processes are in place to support high-quality programming that advances the mission of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in serving the poor and vulnerable through strong management skills and technical expertise. The Program Manager II will ensure that Thabat delivers high-quality ESS programming and continuously improves the impact of its ESS activities.

As Program Manager II – ESS, the incumbent will develop and lead Thabat’s Environmental and Social Standards strategy, ensuring full compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) requirements, as well as CRS’ commitments under the Thabat Project. The role includes supervising a five-person ESS team supporting both the Food Security and Health & Nutrition components; establishing systems, processes, tools, and communication materials to integrate ESS across all project activities; and overseeing monitoring, analysis, and donor and internal reporting. The incumbent will adapt approaches based on data and evolving contexts, provide strategic guidance to project and country leadership, and identify innovative opportunities to strengthen and expand ESS programming within the project, with partners, and in the communities served.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of the Thabat Project’s Environmental and Social Standards activities throughout the project cycle to ensure implementation and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. 
• Effectively manage talent for Thabat’s ESS team. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailored individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports. 
• Lead the development of program learning - identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in the area of ESS. 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.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in ESS for Thabat and Country Program staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to ESS in compliance with World Bank requirements and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Continue to adapt and strengthen Thabat’s ESS strategy, translating CRS’ commitments to the donor into systems, processes and tools that can be applied consistently across both project components to communicate ESS content to project stakeholders and ensure compliance with World Bank regulations.
• Develop annual work plans, quarterly action plans in coordination with technical teams and ensure that ESS activities are fully integrated into programmatic activities.
• Coordinate closely with Thabat’s MEAL team to ensure that ESS requirements and monitoring activities are integrated into Thabat’s MEAL system and that data collection tools reflect all necessary ESS requirements. 
• Lead all donor ESS communication and reporting processes, ensuring timely and comprehensive completion of all required reports, establishing systems to collect, aggregate, and analyze data necessary for reporting.
• Regularly update project leadership on ESS activity progress and compliance, flagging issues, concerns, and proposing solutions.
• Establish comprehensive systems to monitor compliance of key project stakeholders as defined in the project documents, including implementing partners, grantees, and sub-projects with World Bank requirements.
• Collaborate with CRS’ Global Support Units, including Climate Finance, Gender, and Social Protection teams, to share content, leverage best practice and communicate insights and learnings from implementing ESS in the Sudanese context with both internal and external audiences.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• MEAL skills and experience required.
• 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.
• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank.
• Demonstrated ability to write high-quality technical ESS content, including Strategies, Monitoring Tools/ SOPs /guidelines.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgments and decisions and offer innovative solutions
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in a relevant field
• Experience in managing ESS compliance with the World Bank or a World Bank-funded project is essential. 
• Familiarity with IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability is strongly preferred. 
• Knowledge of evolving corporate and donor ESG norms and standards.
• Experience in an international NGO is an advantage

Required Languages - Fluency in English required

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 40 %, and in conflict-affected contexts like Sudan

 Supervisory Responsibilities:

The position will supervise a five-person team: two Gender and Protection Officers, an Environmental Specialist, an Environmental and Social Safeguarding Manager, and a Social and Accountability Specialist. 

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability Studies, Environmental Engineering, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Finance, Public Policy, International Development, International Relations, or other relevant fields required. Note: Additional professional experience can substitute for some education requirements.
• Minimum of 5 years' project management experience, specifically overseeing environmental, social, and governance or risk and compliance for an accounting or audit firm or experience working on a complex project (multiple countries, multiple subcontractors, or complex donors) required.

Agency 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 enhances team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset - Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Disclaimer: 

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

What we offer: 

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package 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' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting men, women, boys and girls safe from abuse, exploitation, and harm.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for this position, especially those from marginalized and people with disabilities backgrounds 

Data Protection/Disclaimer: 

Catholic Relief Services is committed to ensuring the security and protection of the personal information that we process, and to provide a compliant and consistent approach to data protection. 

Recruitment Disclaimer: 

We wish to notify that CRS does not demand or charge any fee/charges from the aspiring candidates for considering their candidature, or at any time during the recruitment process, nor have we authorized any individual, agency or firm to recruit candidates for us. Any person seeking employment with CRS needs to be cautious and not trust any agency or individual claiming to be our representative and charging fees for providing/securing employment with us.

By applying this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with 

dignity and respect, and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics

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.