Deputy Chief of Party II – Technical, USAID Afghanistan Women in Agriculture Activity

*This post is contingent on donor funding and donor approval of the candidate.

About CRS

CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, health, agriculture, education, and microfinance.

In Afghanistan, the majority of households are dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. However, climatic and economic trends have had significant impacts on the productivity and profitability of agricultural livelihoods. CRS has been working in Afghanistan since 2002, and an evolving, dynamic portfolio designed to support the basic needs of communities and individuals in Afghanistan has been at core of its work since that time. CRS is currently implementing programs in the provinces of Bamiyan, Daykundi, Ghor, Herat, and Kabul, and is exploring additional expansion. CRS maintains five main offices in the country as well as several sub-offices that support the direct implementation of program activities. With over 200 staff, the Country Program is growing to meet new needs throughout the country and provides improved livelihoods, emergency relief, basic needs support, and other life‐enriching services to tens of thousands of households.

Job Summary:

Pending a successful application and donor approval, as Deputy Chief of Party II you will provide overall management of and have responsibility for an area of the anticipated U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Afghanistan Women in Agriculture Activity, and 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 in agricultural livelihoods programming, value chain strengthening, market-based solutions, and inclusion will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming and advance the position of CRS as a leading agency in sustainable and resilient livelihoods programming in Afghanistan and globally.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Manage key technical aspects of the development, implementation and consolidation of the anticipated USAID Afghanistan Women in Agriculture Activity. Serve as a point of contact to USAID as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders, when needed.
• Provide technical oversight and coordination for project refinement, implementation, learning, and adaptation. Ensure that local and global best practices pertaining to livelihoods programming, private sector engagement, value chain development, and inclusion are integrated into and maintained throughout the project.
• Manage key functions of the project to meet donor expectations in terms of timely, high-quality, and technically sound results. 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.
• 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.
• 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 trainings and technical assistance. Facilitate learning and experience sharing between consortium members, as well as with other stakeholders.

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.
• Strong knowledge and experience in budget management.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Required Languages – English required. Dari or Pashto an asset.

Travel – This position is anticipated to be based in Kabul. Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% within Afghanistan. Occasional international travel may be required.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes; specific supervisory responsibilities to be determined.

Internal – Chief of Party, Finance and Operations Director, Strategic Learning Advisor, Country Representative, Head of Programming, Head of Operations, MEAL Coordinator, Regional Technical Advisor for Livelihoods, Regional Technical Advisor for Gender.

External – Donors, partner INGOs and local NGOs, private sector actors, relevant government ministries, and peer agencies.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Agriculture, Business, International Development, International Relations or a relevant technical area.
• 7 or more years’ relevant management and technical experience in livelihoods or relevant programming.
• 5 years’ experience managing donor funds, ideally on USAID-funded projects.
• Recognized technical experience and qualifications in agricultural livelihoods, inclusion, and market-based solutions as demonstrated by peer reviewed publications, conference presentations etc.
• 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 and mentoring dynamic and complex teams.

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.

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