Job Title: Deputy Head of Programming
Department: Programming
Grade: 10
Reports To: Head of Programming
Country/Location: Rwanda (Kigali)
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:
You will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the Rwanda Country Program (CP) 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 program quality and management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its programming. You will also work closely with the Head of Programs, Country Representative, and other CP stakeholders to ensure strategic positioning and resource mobilization in-line with Rwanda CP Strategies and strengthen program quality through KML systems that leverage program results for more effective and strategic communications, positioning, and integration of learning and innovation in future program design. As part of these KML efforts, you will strengthen the CP reporting system to increase quality of written reports, monitoring of trends and reflection on program data.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- Complement the HOP in providing strategic direction for the design of CP strategic frameworks and plans, including resource mobilization strategies to optimize the impact of programming interventions in line with regional and agency strategic priorities.
- Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of all new and existing projects within the CP 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 and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
- Lead the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
- Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
- Support senior management to cultivate and strengthen institutional relationships with institutional donors, partner organizations, non-traditional donors and other stakeholders.
- Support capacity strengthening activities for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
- Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
- Drawing on experience and expertise, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, strengthen the CP donor and project reporting system and capacity in order to increase quality, timeliness, and compliance of written reports, monitor trends and reflect on data for learning and adaptive management.
Basic Qualifications
- Master’s degree in international development, International Relations or related field. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
- Minimum of five years of international development experience with progressive responsibilities, with at least three years’ experience in a developing country.
- Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.
- Good experience in project design and program quality principles preferably for projects funded by multiple public donors, including USAID.
Required Languages – English, French preferred.
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 20 %.
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, including USAID.
- Excellent English writing skills.
- Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
- Experience engaging with partner organizations.
- Knowledge of instructional design and adult learning principles and/or direct training experience
- MEAL skills and experience required.
- Experience with CRS programming approaches, standards of quality and tools
- 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.
Agency REDI 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 enhance team and agency performance.
- Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
Supervisory Responsibilities: The Deputy Head of Programming will supervise 1-2 programming staff positions.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Head of Programming, Chief of Party, Country Representative, Program Managers, MEAL Coordinator, Communication Advisor, Finance, and Admin staff
External: Local Implementing Partners, International Consortium Members, Government of Rwanda, USAID, and other donors
***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. 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 protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. This position is contingent upon award of the funding opportunity to CRS and the donor’s approval of the proposed candidate.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce.
How to apply
Interested and qualified candidates should complete the attached application form, Self -Declaration Clause and submit them together with one page Cover letter plus updated CV (maximum three pages) all in/as one document – via email only to: RW_HR@crs.orgnot later than Monday July 15th, 2024, at 5:00pm.
Please, include below statement in your cover letter:
“By applying to 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.”
Also include your full names and title “Deputy Head of Programming @ 10” in the subject line. Due to anticipated high interest in this post and the expected number of applicants, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Kigali July 2nd, 2024.
Kumud Chandra
Acting Country Representative
