Deputy Chief of Party I – Finance and Operations

About Catholic Relief Services: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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. CRS has worked in Uganda since 1965, initially providing emergency assistance to Sudanese refugees living in the north. Over the years, CRS has expanded its programming to address needs across the country. CRS’ projects in Uganda currently include agriculture and value chain, landscape restoration and climate change adaption, health and health systems strengthening, microfinance, and DRR, humanitarian response and recovery. CRS Uganda implements its programs through partnerships with other organizations, including the Catholic Church, faith-based organizations, international and Ugandan NGOs, government ministries, private sector companies and academia, for maximum impact and sustainability. CRS Uganda employs around 180 staff and has its main office in Kampala, with sub-offices in Moroto, Yumbe, and Kikuube districts. With our more than 30 partners, we served over 1m Ugandans in 2021.

About Project: The Global Evergreening Alliance (GEA), of which CRS is a member, has secured a 5 year, $ 160m investment for Restore Africa Program which covers 6 Eastern and Southern Africa Countries. In Uganda, the program will be implemented by CRS (as the lead implementing organization), CARE, World Vision, ICRAF, ECOTRUST and Uganda Landcare Network with a goal of restoring 560,000ha of degraded landscapes in the West Afromontane, Mt. Elgon and part of Karamoja. The program will pursue a small holder farmer led approach to restoration supporting profitable agroforestry systems that support profitability and productivity of farms.

Job Summary: You will lead and ensure high quality project implementation of a Land Restoration Initiative in Uganda under the Restore Africa Program of the Global Evergreening Alliance (GEA), of which CRS is a member. CRS in Uganda serves as the Lead Implementing Organization for this Land Restoration Initiative, in a standing partnership with World Vision Uganda and CARE International Uganda. The team is completed with ICRAF, ECOTRUST, and the Uganda Landcare Network. As Deputy Chief of Party I you will work as part of a team on a large project and provide oversight of the finance and operations function of the Restore Africa project to serve the poor and vulnerable. Your management and technical knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming. As a senior leader you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.

Job Roles and Responsibilities:

• Manage a key aspect of the development, implementation, and consolidation of the Restore Africa project. Serve as a point of contact on area of responsibility to GEA as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders, when needed.

• Manager key function of the project to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget. 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. 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.

• 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.

• Promote, uphold, and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Help ensure compliance with GEA grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration, and reporting to GEA.

• Maintain relationships with key staff of consortium partner organizations in regard to area of responsibility. 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.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in International Development, International Relations or a relevant technical area.

• 5 years’ relevant management and technical experience.

• 3 years’ experience managing donor funds. Knowledge and experience in budget management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Recognized technical experience and qualifications in sector

• Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of functions of complex, multi-activity projects.

• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.

• 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Very good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.

• Very good 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.

• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Required Languages – English fluency, including excellent oral and written skills, required.

Travel Required: Must be willing and able to travel up to 40%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Operations Officer, Grants Officer.

Key Working Relationships: Internal: Project-Specific: Finance and Operations Deputy Chief of Party, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning Project Manager, Technical Unit Project Manager Other: CRS/Uganda Country Representative, Head of Programming, Head of Operations, and US/Regional Technical Advisors. External: Implementing partner managers, Government of Uganda, organizations, representatives from for-profit and other non-profit organizations, representatives of non-traditional public donors including private sector, financial service providers, World Bank, and others.

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.

• Integrity

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Builds Relationships

• Develops Talent

• Strategic Mindset

• Accountability & Stewardship

DISCLAIMER CLAUSE:

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

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding related topics.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer