Deputy Chief of Party II – Basic Education Activity

JOB DESCRIPTION

Note: This position is dependent upon funding as well as the donor’s approval of the proposed Deputy Chief of Party.

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.

CRS has been present in Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza (JWBG) since 1961 and currently supports programs in the sectors of humanitarian relief, livelihoods, civil society strengthening, and social justice promotion through its field offices in Jerusalem, Gaza, and Bethlehem. For further information about CRS, please visit: www.crs.org.

Job Summary:

CRS is seeking applicants for the Deputy Chief of Party (D/CoP) II position for an anticipated USAID Basic Education Activity (BEA). The objective is to strengthen non-governmental education services for Palestinian children of KG 1 through Grade 6 that enable them to thrive and reach their full developmental potential. CRS will seek to work with the private sector, non-formal, non-governmental, community-based, and civil society partners to strengthen non-governmental early childhood and primary educational opportunities through high quality early childhood education services and supplemental support structures to strengthen foundational pre-primary and primary education for children in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.

As D/COP II, you will work as part of an interdisciplinary teamand provide management support for all aspects of the project including, but not limited to, overseeing operations and finance, ensuring quality of work, and achieving results, abiding by USAID rules and regulations, safeguarding project personnel and property, meeting reporting requirements and representing the project on behalf of the COP when required. As a senior leader you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Manage key aspects of the development, implementation and consolidation of the BEA project, Serve as the primary point of contact to USAID as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders, when needed.
• Manage key functions 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 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.
• 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. Help ensure compliance with USAID grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to USAID.
• Maintain relationships with key staff of consortium partner organizations. 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications:

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

• 7 or more years’ relevant management and technical experience.

• At least 5 years experience managing donor funds, including multi country grants. Strong knowledge and experience in budget management.

• Recognized technical experience and qualifications in sector as demonstrated by peer reviewed publications, conference presentations etc.

• Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of functions of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics.

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

Required languages: Fluency in Arabic and English.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel within up to 30% and travel internationally when requested.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving 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, solutions oriented and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least seven years of experience in senior management positions, preferably managing and leading large, complex education activities in developing countries.
• Experience in managing field operations, maintaining relationships, and managing sub-awards and partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders, including donors, implementing partners, and private sector entities.
• Experience in managing similar programs in the MENA region.
• 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 (**Program team for BEA)

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Chief of Party, Country Program staff, including Head of Programs, Country Representative, Head of Operations, finance and procurement teams, CRS regional and headquarters teams

External: Consortium partners and donor counterparts, participating civil society organizations, private sector and universities.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, 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.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices. Women, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented populations are encouraged to apply and to seek CRS support on the application process where additional accommodation is required.

Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.

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