Deputy Regional Director – Program Quality, LACRO
Guatemala City
- Organization: CRS - Catholic Relief Services
- Location: Guatemala City
- Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
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Occupational Groups:
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Project and Programme Management
- Managerial positions
- Closing Date: Closed
JOB DESCRIPTION
***NOTE:***This is a telecommuter position; CRS will give preference to candidates who are based in countries where we have existing offices. CRS does not sponsor visas for telecommuting employees.
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, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.
Background
The Latin American and Caribbean Region strives to support the capacity of CRS and partners to reach impact at scale within a changing international development context through new approaches to structuring our programs via both country and regional presence. LACRO is organized into 3 region wide platforms: 1) Water Smart Agriculture, 2) Peacebuilding and 3) Empower (Emergency), and includes CRS Offices in El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua. The main areas of technical expertise include Agriculture, Emergency Response, Peacebuilding, Education and Youth Development. The region also leads the agency in building blended finance vehicles in support of agricultural SMEs and water service provision.
Job Summary
As a member of the Regional Office Senior Management Team, the Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality (DRD/PQ) is responsible for technical and program quality, business development, and staff development in these areas, in accordance with the Agency Mission. The DRD/PQ is responsible for ensuring that the Agency’s overall vision and strategy is understood and incorporated into strategic planning and program management in all country programs and at the regional level; providing technical and programmatic support to country program staff; ensuring close and efficient coordination with PIQA, IDEA, and HRD on common programming initiatives and departmental mandates; ensuring that all appropriate opportunities for growth throughout the region are pursued.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
- In collaboration with Regional, Country Program (CP) leadership, platform leaders and technical staff, provide leadership and strategic direction for the design and execution of regional and CP strategic frameworks and plans, including the development of resource mobilization, influence and scaling strategies to optimize the impact of programming interventions. Represent and promote CRS at relevant intra-agency and donor fora or events.
- Coach and lead teams to ensure high-quality project design with innovative approaches that incorporate evidence-based interventions, program quality benchmarks, project management standards and MEAL methods that contribute to CRS Global and LACRO strategies for achieving impact at scale.
- Effectively coach and support senior programming talent and supervise regional technical advisors and platform directors. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide onboarding, coaching and mentoring for Heads of Programs (HOPs) and Chiefs of Party (COPs). Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Contribute to developing succession plans and to the recruitment process of senior project staff.
- Contribute to global PQ initiatives, including but not limited to global programming orientation and training programs.
- Create and maintain proper conditions for learning within and across countries and sectors. Advance documentation and dissemination of learning, ensuring a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties. Promote accountability, knowledge management, and the effective application of the MEAL policy.
- Coordinate with Program Impact and Quality Assurance (PIQA), the Humanitarian Response Department (HRD), and other global and regional teams to leverage and deploy technical resources and best practices for development programs and humanitarian response. Coordinate TA/TDY requests to ensure timely and high-quality technical assistance to country programs and platforms. In coordination with technical staff, maintain awareness of research, evidence and best practices for core sectors and approaches, and ensure dissemination and application.
- Ensure technical assistance andcapacity strengthening for project teams and partners in project management standards and related MEAL, business development and operational activities. Identify training opportunities, develop training curriculums and deliver trainings.
- Supervise the Regional Business Development Manager and oversee the business development cycle and pursuit of strategic opportunities, from intelligence gathering and positioning to proposal development to learning and marketing to ensure quality proposals per agency and donor standards. Ensure regional reviews of concept notes, proposals and strategies.
- Support the identification, assessment and strengthening of appropriate partnerships and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
- Facilitate the alignment and strengthening of LACRO’s strategic approach on platform-based programming. Actively promote and secure the harmonization of country program efforts with platform initiatives, with a keen focus on integrating valuable lessons learned and experiences. This encompasses LACRO's existing platforms: Peacebuilding, EMPOWER, and Water Smart Agriculture.
- In coordination with the HQ Impact Investment team, facilitate the further development of LACRO blended finance initiatives, Azure (blended finance for water services) and Isidro (blended finance for agriculture)
- Help ensure work environment, culture and staff actions reflect CRS guiding principles, where dignity, diversity, community, and rights and responsibilities of all are understood, promoted, valued and upheld. Promote safeguarding throughout the region. Ensure quality implementation of CRS safeguarding policy and principles across both operations and programs.
- Work closely with DRD-Ops, RFO and HOPs in addressing ongoing programmatic-management issues such as operational delays which affect programmatic and spending performance.
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 relation management abilities. Ability to work collaboratively.
- Demonstrated leadership, management and supervisory skills
- Strong facilitation and training skills
- Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching/mentoring skills
- Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
- Knowledge and experience in blended finance preferred.
- Experience with innovation and change management highly preferred
Preferred Qualifications:
- Required/Desired Foreign Language: Fluency in Spanish and English. French highly desirable
- Travel Required: At least 30%
Supervisory Responsibilities: Water Smart Agriculture Platform Director; Peacebuilding Platform Director; SILC Regional Technical Advisor; Regional MEAL Advisor; Regional Education Advisor; Isidro Fund Co-Director; Regional Business Development Manager; Private Sector Engagement Regional Advisor
Dotted line supervision: HRD focal point; Empower Platform Director
Key Working Relationships:
- Internal: Deputy Regional Director-Ops; Regional Finance Officer, Country Representatives; Heads Of Programming; Chiefs of Party, PIQA & IDEA team members, other DRD/PQs, HRD staff; Director Azure blended finance: Impact Investing team members
- External: USG, including USAID (Washington, local Missions) and other relevant agencies; other bilateral/multilateral; Donor Agencies; local and international PVOs; local partners; other Catholic development agencies; technical support networks; US and local universities, private sector corporations and investment companies.
Basic Qualifications
- Master's Degree in development or related sector.
- Minimum of 7 years required; 10 or more years preferred in a management position with progressive responsibilities. Experience with an international NGO and experience outside country of origin preferred. Past experience serving as a CRS Head of Programming, desirable.
- Familiarity with technical standards in project management and program design for CRS core competencies and programmatic themes.
- Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge and skills formally and informally to diverse audiences; desire and ability to mentor staff.
- Demonstrated understanding of industry program quality standards and management best practices in relief and development.
- Knowledge of multiple public donors’ regulations, including USAID, highly preferred.
- Ability to represent the agency at high levels
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 fulfil 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.
What we offer
CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
***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.
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.
EOE/M/F/D/V - CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (For all US and International positions)
QUALIFICATIONS
Basic Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Master's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or other relevant field highly preferred.
- Minimum of 7 years work experience in a management position with progressive responsibilities. Experience with an international NGO and experience outside country of origin preferred.
- Experience with CRS operational systems and procedures highly preferred,
- Demonstrated understanding of industry standards and management best practices in security, supply chain, human resources, risk and compliance, administration, and ICT.
- Understanding of financial systems, including budgeting. Knowledge of SunSystems and Vision accounting software or similar financial reporting software preferred.
- Knowledge of multiple public donors’ regulations, including USAID, highly preferred.
- Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to utilize a variety of training and technical assistance methodologies appropriate for groups from diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to represent the agency at high levels
- Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
Personal Skills
- 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 work collaboratively
- Team leadership abilities
- Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
ABOUT US
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.
ABOUT THE TEAM
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 welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
To apply please click here.