Job Description

Job Title: Country Representative – Central African Republic

Reports To: Regional Director - CARO

Job Location: Central African Republic/Bangui

Salary Grade: 12

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.

Background

CRS has worked in the Central African Republic (CAR) since 1999. Responding to the country’s strategic needs, CRS implements agriculture and livelihoods, economic strengthening, emergency response, food security, health, and social cohesion programming. Strengthening of local partners is also a key focus in all programs through both stand-alone and integrated capacity strengthening projects. CRS works out of its main office in the capital city of Bangui, and two field offices in Bouar and in Bangassou.

Job Summary

As Country Representative you will lead, manage and advance the programming and operations objectives and the mission of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to serve the poor and vulnerable. Your strategic leadership will enable you to advance CRS’ reputation and impact while you proactively manage security and mitigate security risks and liabilities. As Country Representative, you will provide strategic representation for the country program with key stakeholders from the Government of CAR, the UN system, international donors and Church partners.

Responsibilities

Job Responsibilities

Champion and lead the vision, mission and strategy. Lead the design of medium and long-term goals for the CP, with localization in mind. Ensure program and operations leads coordinate their objectives in alignment with the strategy.
Ensure that all projects meet and exceed donor expectations and are designed and implemented for maximum impact and reach. Ensure the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures.
Effectively manage senior programming and operations talent. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring for direct reports. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans for large and complex projects and the recruitment process of senior staff.
Lead the development of strategic partnerships with national and international organizations that leverages resources, reputation, and expertise in line with CRS partnership principles. Ensure strong representation to key stakeholders, including Church partners, local and national government, US government and international donors.
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, and ensure the updating of such plans.
Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Ensure compliance in operations functions. Provide oversight and analysis regarding monthly expenditures.
Lead and direct the pursuit of strategic growth opportunities, prepositioning and capture planning with localization in mind.
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. Promote accountability, learning and knowledge management overseeing application of the MEAL policy, as well as cross-sectoral and cross-department learning for better positioning and influencing.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

Master’s degree in international development, International Relations or a related field.
Ten or more years’ experience managing complex relief and development programs.
Demonstrated experience successfully managing a variety of complex, high-value projects from multiple international donors, including USAID, Global Fund and UN agencies, understanding of relevant donor regulations.
Experience engaging partners and strengthening local leadership. Experience working with Church partners a plus.
Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching and mentoring senior program staff.
Ability to represent the agency at high levels.
Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

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 relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in approaching each relationship.
Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching/mentoring skills.
Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Required/Desired Foreign Languages - English and French

Travel Required - 40% in-country travel with occasional trips outside the country program.

Key Working Relationships

Supervisory – Head of Programming, Global Fund Chief of Party, Head of Operations, the Head of Offices in Bouar and Bangassou, and the Risk and Compliance Officer.

Internal - Regional Office and Headquarters staff, other CRS colleagues, as applicable

External - Host country government officials at all levels, Catholic Church leadership, donors, heads of international agencies, local NGO directors, etc.

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.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

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

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Country Representative, Central African Republic