Program Manager II – Ukraine

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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.

CRS in Ukraine/Moldova

CRS has operated in different capacities in Moldova since 2004 and in Ukraine since 2015. CRS works with local partners to implement an integrated, multisectoral program portfolio of humanitarian and development assistance. In Ukraine, CRS works in partnership with Caritas Ukraine and Caritas Spes Ukraine, to deliver life-saving humanitarian and recovery assistance to vulnerable households affected by the war, including home and infrastructure repairs, protection, basic needs and livelihoods. In Moldova, CRS is focused on meeting both the immediate and long-term needs of Ukrainian refugees and vulnerable Moldovan families, including cash, education and psychosocial support (PSS), and shelter programs. CRS is also working with governmental and non-governmental partners to end the placement of children in residential care institutions through the Changing the Way We Care initiative. CRS’s portfolio is resourced by institutional donors and private emergency funding. This position is dedicated to Ukraine.

Job Summary:

You will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the Country Program (CP) emergency and early recovery programming in Ukraine, particularly for large and complex projects including basic needs, shelter and settlements, winterization, livelihoods and protection. You will ensure effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services and partners’ work in serving the most vulnerable and conflict-affected people in Ukraine. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP and partners delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of our joint programs.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• In close coordination with partners, provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of all new and existing projects throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Contribute to the CP strategy and proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP sector portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Lead the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partners’ capacity and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.

Required Languages – English fluency (written and verbal) is required, knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian is an advantage.

Travel – up to 30% of field travel within Ukraine, primarily to partner offices.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

Supervisory Responsibilities: Program Manager I, Project Assistant

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Program Managers, MEAL Manager, PQ Coordinator, Head of Operations, Head of Programs, Country Representative, EMECA regional staff

External: Caritas national and local offices, institutional donors, local government, USG, United Nations and international NGOs.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Humanitarian Assistance, International Development, International Relations or in the field of Shelter and Settlements required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 3 years working in complex emergencies.
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.

Preferred Qualifications

• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID/BHA.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations
• MEAL skills and experience required.
• Experience using CommCare and PowerBi is a strong advantage
• Experience in shelter and settlements programming is a strong advantage
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information 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.

***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.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Interested candidates can apply by clicking the link: Program Manager II, Ukraine – CRS Careers (oraclecloud.com)