About CRS:
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
Background:
CRS first began working in Liberia in 1957, with a permanent country program office opening in 1990. During the ensuing 14+ years of conflict and war, CRS was one of the few agencies to maintain a constant presence in the country, providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to tens thousands of people. With the establishment of peace, CRS and partners focused increasingly on reconstruction and development activities, working in agriculture, livelihoods, peace and justice, micro-savings and health.
With the onset of the Ebola outbreak, CRS Liberia began working with our local health partners to ensure access to safe health care, support EVD triage and isolation and carry out EVD related community outreach and hygiene promotion activities. In country partners include the St. Joseph’s Catholic Hospital in Monrovia and a network of 17 health clinics and centers. As part of the response, CRS and partners coordinate with others via coordination and donor forums. In addition to this new programming, CRS continues to support immunization programming through support to a local platform of civil society organizations. Forward planning is underway to assess needs and define new programming in the area of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Health Systems Strengthening, Livelihood recovery and other relevant areas to serve the poor and Ebola impacted communities.
As of April 2015, CRS began to ramp up its presence in Liberia. To ensure strong in country leadership, representation and program oversight, CRS is seeking a Country Representative to lead and provide oversight over the growing CRS team, ensure high quality support to implementing partners and regular communication with in country donors.
Leadership/Representation:
- Provide leadership at the country program level to ensure staff understand and work towards the long term vision and strategies of CRS in Liberia.
- Develop strategies to ensure strong representation to the Church, United States Government, local governments and authorities, international organizations, other donors, international and national PVOs, and other appropriate networks.
- Develop and maintain strong partnerships with local implementing partners such as the Church/Caritas and other local and international agencies.
- Represent CRS at the highest levels in Liberia.
- Seek and pursue opportunities to raise the profile of the work of CRS and its partners, as well as the needs and challenges of our beneficiaries.
Strategic Direction, Program Quality and Business Development:
- Implement the Liberia Strategic Program Plan in accordance with regional and agency strategy. 2. Oversea short- and medium-term strategic planning for implementation of high quality programs.
- Identify opportunities for appropriate expansion and growth of programs and the acquisition and investment of human resources.
- Ensure that management and programming quality standards are upheld and that the country program strategic plan is applied appropriately.
- Periodically lead proposal development teams.
Stewardship: 1. Responsible for the effective operation and functions of program quality/technical assistance, finance, material resource management, growth, administration, information technology, and audit.
- Ensure that systems are in place to enable CRS Liberia adheres to agency policies and procedures and that those policies and procedures are understood by all Staff.
- Ensure compliance with donor administrative and financial requirements and US Government OFAC and BIS regulations.
Staff Management and Development: 1. Supervise and mentor staff, including development of performance plans and assessment of performance.
- Provide constructive feedback and counsel on appropriate career paths and professional development for CRS staff.
- Oversee the management, coaching and development of national and international staff to build cadre of skilled and committed personnel.
- Ensure diversity in recruitment practices to build a cadre of competent, motivated and committed personnel.
- Encourage principles of a just workplace and promote staff care and well-being.
Security and Emergency Response Management:
- Oversee the management of all security issues, including appropriate response to emergency situations as they arise
- Keep security, evacuation and contingency plans current and revise annually or as necessary and ensure adherence by all CRS staff.
- Supervise emergency responses.
- Brief new staff and visitors on the general context.
Communications:
- Ensure open communications and encourage principles of a just workplace.
- Maintain a healthy and empowering office environment that encourages honest communication between CRS staff and partners.
- Ensure positive and productive communication with the Episcopal Conference and with the dioceses supported by CRS.
- Ensure open communications with regional management staff, regional technical advisors, and HQ departmental staff.
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning
Country Representative Competencies
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each country representative to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Leads toward Strategic Results
• Manages Risk and Complexity
• Represents and Partners Strategically
• Champions Learning and Performance
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each country representative to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Leads toward Strategic Results
• Manages Risk and Complexity
• Represents and Partners Strategically
• Champions Learning and Performance
Supervisory Responsibility:
• Directly supervise programming and operations staff, TDYers and consultants. The number of staff will vary as grants increase.
• Directly supervise programming and operations staff, TDYers and consultants. The number of staff will vary as grants increase.
Key Working Relationships
Internal: WARO Regional Director and Regional technical and MQ staff, HQ departments, CRS staff.
External: Catholic Church Officials, Catholic Church agencies, local partner organizations, host country government agencies, donor agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, foreign governments.
Internal: WARO Regional Director and Regional technical and MQ staff, HQ departments, CRS staff.
External: Catholic Church Officials, Catholic Church agencies, local partner organizations, host country government agencies, donor agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, foreign governments.
Qualifications:
• Masters in International Development/Relations or related field.
• 10 or more years of progressively responsible experience in PVO leadership and management.
• Previous experience managing a large-scale PVO country program.
• Proven ability to negotiate and work with local government.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organization skills as well as good judgment, vision and maturity.
• Ability to operate successfully amidst complexity and uncertainty
• Demonstrated effectiveness with short- and long-term planning, as well as financial, human resource, and program management.
• Experience with institutional strengthening and partnership building helpful.
• Ability to work effectively in diverse environments and under pressure.
• Demonstrated understanding of the importance of staff development.
• Fluency in English.
• Familiarity with West Africa is a plus.
• Masters in International Development/Relations or related field.
• 10 or more years of progressively responsible experience in PVO leadership and management.
• Previous experience managing a large-scale PVO country program.
• Proven ability to negotiate and work with local government.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organization skills as well as good judgment, vision and maturity.
• Ability to operate successfully amidst complexity and uncertainty
• Demonstrated effectiveness with short- and long-term planning, as well as financial, human resource, and program management.
• Experience with institutional strengthening and partnership building helpful.
• Ability to work effectively in diverse environments and under pressure.
• Demonstrated understanding of the importance of staff development.
• Fluency in English.
• Familiarity with West Africa is a plus.
Personal/Professional Skills:
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills as well as good judgment and vision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity and/or appreciation of the social teachings of the Catholic Church and its structure; ability to work well within this framework.
• Commitment to the Agency's mission and strategy.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills as well as good judgment and vision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity and/or appreciation of the social teachings of the Catholic Church and its structure; ability to work well within this framework.
• Commitment to the Agency's mission and strategy.
Physical Requirements/Environment: The position is based in Monrovia requiring travel 30% of time.
Disclaimer Clause: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties and responsibilities associated with the position.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
EOE/M/F/D/V
HOW TO APPLY:
