Deputy Chief of Party- Operations-USAID Assessing Quality Basic Education (AQBE) project

JOB DESCRIPTION

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services (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 in Afghanistan is accomplished through programs of emergency response, agriculture/livelihoods, education, and WASH.

**This position is contingent upon donor funding and approval

Job Summary:

CRS is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party– Operations for the anticipated USAID Assessing Quality Basic Education (AQBE) project. The purpose of this five-year, up to $79.25 million project is to improve safe, equitable access to quality learning for primary and secondary school aged girls and boys. The project’s goal will be achieved through four result areas: 1) Improved delivery of quality instruction in foundational skills and delivery of support for student well-being by educators; 2) Reinforced community school management and family engagement to sustain access to safe public and community-based education; 3) Increased transition rate of community-based education (CBE) students into public schools; and 4) Sustained secondary education engagement and learning opportunities for adolescent girls.

As Deputy Chief of Party I- Operations you will provide overall leadership and management of project-specific operational functions including finance, administration, grant management, compliance, and safety . The Deputy Chief of Party I- Operations will act on behalf of the Chief of Party as needed, including global representation to the donor to serve the poor and vulnerable. Your management and technical knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming and advance the position of CRS as a leading agency in education programming.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Manage key aspects of the development, implementation, and consolidation of the AQBE project. Serve as a point of contact to USAID as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders, when needed.
• Manage key functions of the project to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget. Contribute to ensuring coordination between CRS and local and international partners. Contribute to ensuring the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per operational policies and procedures.
• Play a leading role in planning, coordinating, and recommending the local partners to selection committee.
• Ensure the partner’s agreements are in place, and all the donor requirements are observed and adhered to by them.
• Ensure required support is provided for seeking authorization for the implementation of the projects from relevant authorities.
• Coordinate partner assessments, and regular program and financial visits are conducted. And ICIPs findings are addressed by partners.
• Collaborate with programming leads to ensure appropriate partner’s 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).
• Oversee a granting mechanism for local partners, ensuring compliance with agency and donor polices and procedures.
• Oversee partner’s financial and operational organizational capacity assessments and strengthening initiatives to support local partners.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Contribute to 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.
• Maintain relationships with key staff of consortium partner organizations. Contribute to coordination of 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 recommend training and technical assistance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong 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 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 skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Required Languages – English

Travel – Travel throughout Afghanistan

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Country Representative,Head of Programming, Head of Operations, Regional and HQ Management and Operations Advisors, Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party- Technical

External: Donor representatives, partner organizations, other development actors

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development, International Relations or a relevant technical area.
• 5 or more years’ relevant management and technical experience.
• 3 years’ experience managing donor funds. Strong knowledge and experience in budget management.
• Understanding of financial systems, including budgeting and budget/expense analysis experience.
• Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of functions of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching.

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.

***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.

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