Job Title: Senior Program Officer
Department: Institutional Donor Engagement/Foundations and Corporate Engagement Unit
Location: Baltimore, MD, with frequent travel and extended TDYs in assigned region. Will also include visits to Foundation offices in USA. **
Band:** E
Reports to: Director, Foundations & Corporate Engagement
About CRS:
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
Background: As CRS’ portfolio with foundations and corporate entities continues to expand, we seek additional leadership and program support. This position will facilitate increased donor relationship management with one of CRS’ largest foundation donors, funding Agriculture, Water and Migration/Labor Rights and will lead CRS in a positive direction to meet quality award standards, engage in donor cultivation, increase academic level research and be more influential with the private and public sector in the foundation’s sectors of interest (agriculture, water, and natural resource management –particularly soil improvement). To be successful in this role, you should enjoy carrying out in-depth analysis and data review that leads to better informed decisions. This will involve technical visits to the field where one will listen, inquire and engage with public and private actors. This will also require external representation of project results and policy-brief presentations. As a relationship manager, you will ensure CRS exceeds donor expectations while fulfilling our mission. This position is an extension of CRS headquarter services. In being so, you represent the agency’s executive leadership. This position is also one focused on meeting the needs of the field-based award teams and leadership. You must not only see the long-term strategic nature of CRS’ relationship with the donor, but also provide valuable support to the field in the implementation and success of donor funded programs. Affinity for both strategic and tactical problem solving, and passion for innovation and service to others will bring joy to this position. Significant time in country working shoulder to shoulder with the program staff will be essential for success. The core responsibility for this role is Stewardship. Working to ensure quality communication with project management, finance, policy/advocacy, and technical functions to understand and document CRS’ performance on Foundation proposals and awards and facilitating the outstanding performance of awards through various methods including regular on the ground communication with program managers, technical advisors and donor staff.
Some of the day-to-day assignments include: **
Award Coordination**, which includes activities such as timely submission of high quality narrative and financial reports in compliance with Foundation requirements.
Management of Funding Growth, entails developing and submitting strategic expressions of interest, concept notes and proposals in coordination with CRS country leadership, regional technical advisors, and HQ to the Foundation per their funding cycle. This will also include improving access to data, processes, systems, and tools that support these proposals. **
Program Quality, Analysis and Learning, analyzing with project staff the key learning from complex and innovative programs funded by the Foundation and communicating these in cogent and compelling ways. Proactively responding to diverse Foundation interests with the support of regional technical staff. **
Capacity Strengthening of staff and CRS partners so that we are best able to respond to the donor expectations and advance CRS technical leadership. This work will require partnerships with technical leaders, especially those in the Agency’s Agriculture Livelihoods Signature Program Area and the Agriculture community of practice and vice versa. You will provide the relevant learning and policy information to the FCE and CRS Advocacy Units to increase CRS influence with USG and private sector on issues relevant to Agriculture Livelihood SPA and agency advocacy priorities. It is anticipated the first assignment for this position will be with the Latin America and Caribbean Regional Program, and include work in El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and Mexico.
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
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.
- Serves with Integrity
- Models Stewardship
- Cultivates Constructive Relationships
- Promotes Learning
Key Working Relationships: INTERNAL: FCE Unit staff, Regional DRD PQ, Director of Regional Water and Ag Initiatives, Water Resource Coordinator, RTA for Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning, STA for Strategy and Influence (where appropriate), Regional Finance Officer, Program Impact and Quality Assurance, CRS Advocacy Unit EXTERNAL: Foundation partner, other CRS Partners, Private Sector **
Personal Skills:**
- Technical experience in one or more of the Foundation’s priority sectors: Agriculture, Water, Natural Resource Management
- Exceptional writing skills in report writing, research documents, communication and policy briefs
- Experience in research, analysis, and M&E
- Experience in project and grants management
- Exceptional communication skills and proven ability to work well within a dynamic and complex group of people.
- Strong representational skills in networking, and building strategic relations with donors, CRS and partner staff, governments, private sector and other key actors.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and strong teamwork, coordination and strategic planning skills. 8. Willingness to travel frequently between project sites in Latin America, DRC, and occasionally to events in other regions.
- Willingness to work with project technical staff and managers to build skills in documenting experiences and lessons learned.
- A passion for learning and strategic thinking **
Qualifications:** - Master’s degree or equivalent experience in one or more of priority sectors: Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Water
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in project and grants management- supervision, budget management, program planning, monitoring and evaluation including at least 3 years of overseas experience, preferably in Latin America.
- Prior experience working with a major foundation donor in similar capacity.
- Excellent communication skills, particularly in leading meetings, facilitating events, authorship of project reports and proposals.
- Experience in working with national staff, local partners and Catholic Church a plus **
Foreign Language Required:**
Spanish required. High proficiency for oral and written English.
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.
NOTE: All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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