NOTE: Candidates must be able to legally work and live in El Salvador.   

In El Salvador, CRS is the technical lead for a consortium implementing a large-scale, long-term program called Somos Rio Lempa (SRL Program). This program works with a network of non-governmental organizations through a subgrant program, and coordinates closely with key government agencies and major financial institutions. The operational structure and reporting of this program are unique and complex, requiring oversight for compliance.

Job Summary:

As a member of the Country Program’s (CP) Senior Management Team, the Head of Operations (HOOP) will provide leadership and management of the operational functions of CRS in El Salvador and support major program that CRS manages in El Salvador, particularly the SRL Program. This position oversees CRS operational areas including: Finance management, Budget planning and management, Resource management and logistics, Contracts and consultancies, and Audits. The HOOP will ensure that systems, compliance processes, risk mitigation and management (including safety and security), and resource management are aligned with CRS standards, donor requirements and local regulations. 

The HOOP will provide direct operational leadership and support within the SRL consortium. This includes harmonizing processes between consortium partner, supporting joint governance, ensuring high-quality and compliant program implementation, resource management and reporting, and developing shared operational solutions across institutional systems.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Together with the Senior Management Team guide the vision and strategy of the country program. Contribute to the design of new programming and country program strategic planning.  Provide input on needed investments in systems, processes and staffing that meet standards, donor requirements, and local regulations and support high-quality programming for both CRS and the SRL Program.
• 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 for successful support of high-quality programming. Contribute to staffing plans and recruitment process of senior staff, including positions assigned to SRL operations.
• With the Country Representative and in close coordination with the regional team, lead workforce planning, including talent mapping and succession planning to ensure a strong pipeline of local talent for multiple leadership areas. Manage the design of medium and long-term goals under the guidance of the Country Representative. Harmonize program and operations objectives in alignment with the strategy, while ensuring that workforce plans meet staffing needs arising from the SRL joint operational model.
• Support preparation and review of quarterly reports, annual reports, learning materials, and other reports as requested.
• Work with CRS partners and SRL consortium to ensure clear relationships and management of administrative, financial, compliance and reporting responsibilities, as defined in institutional agreements. 
• Work with the Program Compliance Manager and the SRL Program Director to ensure milestones and agreements are completed.
• Support SRL Program team to develop and manage program budgets and track financial and material resources for CRS, consortium members and implementing partners. Ensure alignment of budget planning and reporting processes between CRS and SRL consortium members.
• Address issues where operations support needs to be adapted for complex programming. Oversee the piloting of new operations initiatives that require the setting of new standards and systems
• Collaborate with programming leads to ensure appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and proper stewardship of material sources. Anticipate, identify and address challenges that affect the proper stewardship, risk, and optimal utilization of program assets and resources (financial, human, and material). 
• 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 the El Salvador Church and partners, local and national government, US government and international donors. Champion local leadership and the development of strong local partners. 
• 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.  Address risks emerging from multi-institutional operational processes, including inconsistencies between CRS and SRL consortium member procedures.
• Collaborate with the Country Representative, Head of Programming, and SRL Program Director in the pursuit of growth opportunities, prepositioning, and capture planning while leveraging evidence of program results and ensuring strong communications.
• With the Country Representative and SRL Program Director oversee the preparation of annual budget plans and grant/project budgets to ensure they reflect maximum operational efficiency and budgetary compliance and mitigate risks. 
• Ensure the program is adequately staffed to meet CP operations, policies and practices support a high-performance culture, staff development and retention. Ensure clarity of supervision and effectiveness of structure for staff supporting SRL operations within a shared structure. Assure quality environment that reflects the agency’s guiding principles. 
• Oversee compliance with agency and donor requirements and local laws and regulations through periodic systems checks, review and assessment of CP’s operations policies and procedures. Coordinate audit readiness, management responses, and action plans. Lead follow-up on internal and external audits across both CRS and SRL-related operations; oversee corrective and preventive measures and report progress to SMT. 
• 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. Provide capacity strengthening guidance for project teams and partners, which includes cross-departmental learning, including shared learning opportunities for operational improvement between SRL consortium members.
• Lead implementation of CRS’s safeguarding policy across operations and partners, including capacity building, monitoring, and corrective actions in collaboration with the safeguarding advisor. Ensure safeguarding policies are consistently integrated and applied across SRL operations, including coordination with safeguarding focal points where responsibilities intersect.
• Support operational implementation of CRS’ Climate Action commitments, including identifying opportunities for reducing emissions, improving efficiency, and minimizing waste across CRS operations.
• Promote effective use of CRS’ Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for budget management and general oversight.  Champion the ERP for budget formulation, monitoring, and variance analysis; ensure timely, accurate financial data to inform decision-making and stewardship. 
• Establish end-to-end SCM standards and KPIs; strengthen market assessments, vendor performance, and last mile delivery controls.

Basic Qualifications

• Master's degree in International Development, Business Administration, Finance or relevant field required.
• Minimum of 5-8 years work experience in a management position with progressive responsibilities with at least 2 years supervisory experience. Experience with an international NGO and experience outside country of origin preferred.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education; additional education may substitute for some experience.

Required Languages – Advanced proficiency in Spanish and English (oral and written) is required

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 25%.

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 work collaboratively
• Team leadership abilities
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in multi-institutional or consortium environments, particularly involving shared operational systems or governance, strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to align operational systems and processes across multiple organizations.
• Knowledge of multiple public donors’ regulations, including USAID, highly preferred.
• Experience leading workforce planning activities including talent mapping and succession planning.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Knowledge of procurement and office administration/management issues. 
• Ability to represent the agency at high levels
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Finance Manager, Procurement Coordinator, HR, Admin, Security, and Logistics Manager, Safeguarding Advisor, Other senior leaders, including SRL operational functions, per need of country program.

Key Working Relationships: 

• Internal: Head of Programs, Members of the Senior Management Team, Chiefs of Party and Program Managers, Regional Technical Advisors, Deputy Regional Director for Management Quality, Regional HOOP community of practice
• External: SRL consortium partners, Implementing Partners, Local technical private service providers, National/Regional/local government representatives, Local private sector, UN Cluster members, Donor agency representatives

Basic Qualifications

• Master's degree in International Development, Business Administration, Finance or relevant field required.
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in a management position with progressive responsibilities. Experience with an international NGO and experience outside country of origin preferred.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education; additional education may substitute for some experience.
• Understanding of financial systems, including budgeting and budget/expense analysis experience. Knowledge of SunSystems and Vision accounting software or similar financial reporting software highly preferred.

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.