Emergency Response and Recovery Program Manager I

About the role

Catholic Relief Services is running a global emergency response initiative delivering timely, life-saving humanitarian assistance in rapidly evolving crises. This Emergency Program Manager I role provides readiness and response support for Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia, working remotely from one of these countries. The position covers the project cycle, from design to close-out, and is open to applicants located in the listed countries; relocation is not available.

Key responsibilities

• Manage, guide and give technical oversight of new and existing emergency response and recovery projects, ensuring they follow CRS quality standards, donor guidelines and best practices.
• Manage talent for emergency programs, supervise staff, coach them, develop individual plans and handle performance management.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening for staff and partners, and lead program learning, research, publications and the MEAL policy.
• Pursue new funding opportunities, act as technical lead and technical writer for proposals, and contribute to budgeting and staffing plans.
• Oversee partnerships, project expenditures and the use of project materials.
• Represent CRS in working groups and clusters with donors and local stakeholders.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in international development, international relations, community development, or WASH, shelter, livelihoods or food security.
• At least 2 years of field-based project management experience, including moderately complex projects and work with local partners.
• Experience in an international NGO and in emergency programming (WASH, shelter, livelihoods, food security).
• Located in or able to cover Eastern and Southern Africa time zones.
• Willingness to travel at least 50% of the time, often within 48 hours, for four to six weeks at a time.
• English proficiency required; French and Portuguese preferred.

Required skills

• MEAL skills and experience.
• Project grant management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors such as US government and UN agencies.
• Ability to write high-quality technical proposals.
• MS Windows and MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), web conferencing and information management systems.