Deputy Chief of Party I-Education Resilience Activity (ERA)

<!–

Description

–>

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:

As Deputy Chief of Party, you will support the Chief of Party’s work in day-to-day project management, including management of staff, activities, and sub-awards and oversight of financial progress and monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. you will work as part of a team on a large project and provide oversight of a key function of the USAID, Education Resilience Activity (ERA) project in Pakistan to serve the poor and vulnerable. The key objective of the ERA is to support Pakistan to improve the education systems’ climate resilience and inclusiveness of marginalized populations – particularly girls and children with disabilities. Your management and technical knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming. As a senior leader you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks. In addition, you will manage the implementation of key program activities, oversee the work of technical staff, and ensure efficient technical and operational support for the project team. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a key aspect of the development, implementation, and consolidation of the USAID Education Resilience Activity (ERA) project. Serve as a point of contact on area of responsibility to USAID as well as Government of Pakistan, other donors, the private sector, civil society organizations, community actors and other key stakeholders, when needed. 
• Manage key function of the project to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget. Contribute to ensuring coordination between program and operations leads. Contribute to ensuring the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures.
• In collaboration with the COP and other senior staff, ensure the successful implementation of project activities according to the contractual requirements with the donor and government (i.e., that all activities and deliverables are completed within the agreed timescale and budget, reports are submitted as per agreed schedules, and any other requirements or criteria are fulfilled)
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching. 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. Ensure all staff understand and adhere to CRS staff safety and security policies and plans. 
• Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Help ensure compliance with USAID grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to USAID.
• Maintain relationships with key staff of consortium partner organizations in regard to area of responsibility. 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 trainings and technical assistance.
• Ensure and promote understanding and practice of safeguarding policy, procedures, and code of conduct to mitigate, avoid and manage safeguarding risks for both staff and beneficiaries.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Very good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions. 
• Very good 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. 
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in one or more of the following areas preferred: foundational skills, social emotional learning (SEL), soft skills, building resilience capabilities and assets, and strengthening pathways between non-formal to formal education.
• Familiarity with resilience-building approaches and methodologies, particularly in the context of education. Recognized technical experience and qualifications in sector.
• Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of functions of complex, multi-activity projects.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. 
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
• Knowledge of the USAID regulations, procedures, and reporting requirements, as well as experience in managing and implementing projects in accordance with these guidelines. Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Required Languages – English is a must, and other languages is plus. 

• Travel- Must be willing and able to travel up to 40% – 50% to the program area in the field.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

ERA Provincial Coordinators, Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) Advisor, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Specialist and Dotted line to Consortium Partner Project Managers

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: ERA Chief of Party, Country Program Head of Programs and Program Quality Teams, Head of Operations and Operation Teams, Country Manager, CRS Regional and HQ Teams, Technical Advisors for Education and Gender 

External: USAID, Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Education, Local Authorities and Communities, Consortium Organization Members, Education Sector Actors including NGOs, UN and donors.

Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications

• A master’s degree in a relevant discipline (i.e., Education, Public Policy, Administration, International Development, or another relevant field) from an internationally recognized university.
• At least seven years of demonstrated experience preferably in education or resilience-building projects funded by USAID or other donor organizations. in Pakistan. 
• A proven track record of building teams and fostering collaboration to achieve goals, meet milestones, and produce high quality written qualitative, quantitative, and narrative deliverables.
• Effective personnel management, coordination, and decision-making skills, with an ability to be accountable for all aspects of this project.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement.

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 prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

<!—

<!–

–>