Job Title: Chief of Party II
Department: Country Programming
Reports To: Country Representative
Country/Location: Ethiopia/Addis Ababa
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.
Job Summary:
CRS is seeking highly qualified candidates for a US Government-funded program to improve food security and nutrition of vulnerable populations in Ethiopia. As Chief of Party II you will provide vision, leadership and overall management of the project to serve the poor and vulnerable. The COP will ensure results are delivered on time and on budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability. The COP will be the primary contact for the donor as well as public, private and non-governmental actors. Your strategic leadership, management and technical knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming and advance the position of CRS as a leading agency in Ethiopia. As a senior leader you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.
The RFSA is in the second year (of five years) of implementation, with an award end date of September 7, 2026. The CoP will be responsible for implementation of the award and leading the development of either an extension or potential follow up award, with an anticipated start date of September 8, 2026, thereby allowing for continuity.
Note: This position is contingent upon donor approval of the candidate.
Job Responsibilities:
- Lead all aspects of the development, implementation and consolidation of the RFSA project, including ensuring that the project contributes to the thought leadership of the industry. Serve as the primary point of contact to USAID BHA as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders.
- Ensure the project is designed and implemented to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability. Ensure coordination between program and operations leads. Ensure the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures.
- Effectively manage senior programming and operations talent. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of senior staff.
- 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.
- Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Ensure compliance with USAID grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to USAID. Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors. Support programmatic close out and financial reporting close out.
- Represent CRS programming in international circles, highlighting innovative work. Publish program results and deliver presentations. Oversee the development of communication strategies and materials, complying with donor and CRS’ branding and marketing requirements and procedures.
- Manage relationships with consortium partner organizations, including organization of review/planning workshops. Coordinate the roles and activities of staff from other consortium member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles.
- Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing of 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 ensure the design and delivery of high-quality training and technical assistance.
- Support the development of any next project phase, in coordination with the BD specialist, PIQA support team and Regional Team.
QUALIFICATIONS
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
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.
- Excellent 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. Coaching/mentoring skills.
- Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
Preferred Qualifications
- Established leader in sector as demonstrated by peer reviewed publications, conference presentations etc.
- Demonstrated experience of successful program management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics.
- Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
- Ability to represent and present at high levels.
- Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
Basic Qualifications
- Master’s degree in International Development, International Relations or a relevant technical area.
- 10 or more years’ relevant management and technical experience.
- 7 years experience managing donor funds, including multi country grants. Excellent knowledge and experience in budget management.
- 5 years of staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching and mentoring senior program staff.
Required/Desired Language: English
Travel Required: 30-40% travel
Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory: Deputy Chiefs of Party (x3) for Programming, Gender/Youth/Social Dynamics, MEAL, and Finance/Admin/Compliance
Internal: All Departments of the Country Program, EARO regional TAs and staff, HQ contacts
External: USAID, UN partners, other NGO partners in Ethiopia, relevant GoE Ministry staff, research institutions, church partners
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfil his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
- Personal Accountability
- Acts with Integrity
- Collaborates with Others
- Builds and Maintains Trust
- Open to Learn
- Strategic Mindset
- Develops and Recognizes Others
- Leads Change
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.
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.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
More Information
- Job City Ethiopia
