Program Manager II - Emergency

Job title: Program Manager II - Emergency

Job grade: 10

Reporting to: Deputy Head of Programs, PQ

Department: Programs

Duty location: CRS/Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Term of Employment: Definite term (i.e. up to Sep 30, 2027) with possibility of extension contingent up on performance and availability of funding.

Note: This position is for Ethiopian nationals only

Job Summary:

You will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the Country Program’s (CP) emergency programming, ensuring effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its emergency programming.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of all new and existing projects within the CP’s Emergency Program 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. 
• Effectively manage talent for Emergency Program and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports. 
• Lead cross-functional emergency preparedness and response planning processes, working closely with sector and operations teams to develop, regularly update, and operationalize cohesive emergency preparedness and integrated response plans.
• Lead the development and implementation of program learning and MEAL systems for the emergency portfolio, including the design and maintenance of a cohesive portfolio-level MEAL plan, processes, and reporting systems. Identify opportunities for learning, research, and publications related to emergency programming and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency’s knowledge management agenda and ensure the integration of innovations and best practices across emergency interventions.
• Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the emergency sector portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP Emergency Program strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals in Emergency Program per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in Emergency Program for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to Emergency Program and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Participate and represent CRS in different forums, including relevant National Clusters. 
• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment 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

• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations
• 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.

Required Languages - English and Amharic

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

Supervisory Responsibilities - Technical Advisor

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Deputy Country Representative; MEL, Program Managers, Deputy Chiefs of Party

External:  Local partners, UN agencies, national and local disaster management officials and cluster leads

Basic Qualifications

• Master's Degree in International Development, International Relations or in the field of <Program Area(s)> required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of <Program Area(s)>,
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.

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.