Deputy Chief of Party – Operations

About CRS

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 Project Director, you will provide overall management of and have responsibility for operations of the World Bank funded SOMOUD project in East Sudan. Your management and technical knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality operation systems to advance the position of CRS as a leading agency in the livelihood sector. As a senior leader, you will proactively supervise all elements of operations including but not limited to, grants, administration, coordination, and people resources among other functions. You will lead operations in various locations and ensure seamless implementation of activities with a client-customer support approach.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Overseeing the management and coordination of the operation functions – systems, processes, set-up and running of offices and staffing – that meet CRS’s standard, donor requirements, and local regulations for all targeted states (Red Sea, River Nile, and Northern State). He/ She will plan, integrate, coordinate, and monitor day-to-day operations to ensure all support services are delivered with high-quality in an efficient manner.
• Plan, integrate, coordinate, and monitor day-to-day operations to ensure all support services are delivered with high-quality in an efficient manner and address issues where operations support needs to be adapted for complex programming.
• 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.
• Oversee the piloting of new operations initiatives that require the setting of new standards and systems, collaborating with programming leads to ensure appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and proper stewardship of material sources.
• Promote, uphold, and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Help ensure compliance with World Bank grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration, and reporting to the World Bank.
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing 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.
• Supervise Operation managers, grants and compliance officer, environmental and social safeguard Program Manager and Senior HSS officer.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration or relevant area of operations expertise.
• 7 or more years’ relevant INGO experience managing operations in a large project with multiple offices.
• 5 years’ experience managing donor funds (e.g. the world bank), including multi-country grants.
• Strong knowledge and experience in budget management.
• Technical experience in start-up projects working in an insecure environment such as Sudan.
• Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of operations in complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics and infrastructure.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Operations remote management experience in hard-to-reach locations.

Required Languages – Fluent English, Arabic will be an asset.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 20 % to field office.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and critical thinking 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, solution-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.

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.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none)

Key Working Relationships:

Internal

External

***CRS 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 protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.