Project Director – EU Project Ma’an Aqwa, Sudan

Job Title: Project Director – EU Project – Ma’an Aqwa Reports to: Head of Programs Department: Programs Salary Grade: 10 Location: West Darfur, Sudan

About CRS Sudan and Program Background CRS Sudan is as dynamic and diverse as the needs of the people we serve. Since 1978, CRS Sudan has been assisting the people of Sudan across the emergency, recovery, and development spectrum. Key sectoral areas for CRS Sudan include food security, livelihoods, nutrition, health, peacebuilding, and natural resource management. CRS Sudan has an expanding portfolio of programs crossing the emergency response and resiliency spectrum. Currently, CRS Sudan oversees programming across five Darfur states and the Red Sea. CRS Sudan is implementing a three-year resiliency project in West and North Darfur, Ma’an Aqwa (Stronger Together), funded by the European Commission and focused on conflict mitigation and climate change mitigation and adaptation. This project is implemented in partnership with the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and two national partners. This project utilizes innovative approaches related to governance and capacity building, peacebuilding, livelihood development, natural resource management, and early warning systems to build individual and community resiliency.

Job Summary: You will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the complex European Commission funded resiliency project focused on conflict mitigation and climate change mitigation and adaptation. You will be responsible for overall management of this project, implemented in partnership with the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), ensuring effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerabl e. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the project impact. You will also play a key role in developing the CP overall strategic approach to resiliency programming and provide senior oversight to other initiatives or projects funded by European donors, including an anticipated GIZ-funded resiliency project.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of Ma’an Aqwa (Stronger Together) project and other projects funded by European donors, including an anticipated GIZ-funded project, 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
• Effectively manage project talent and supervise. Manage overall team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in related technical areas for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact
• Lead overall partnership management and support for the project. Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to resiliency and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches
• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources based on CRS and donor regulations
• Contribute to the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in the area of resiliency and implementation of MEAL policy
• Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP resiliency sector portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP resiliency strategic priorities

Required Languages- English language required. Arabic language is a plus

Travel- This position is based in West Darfur, Sudan, with travel in Country and in the region as needed.

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: Direct supervision of Program Manager I, overall management of project team, and management of partner relationship.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations or in a related technical field required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project/program management experience required especially with EU or European Commission funds , with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of resiliency or related technical fields (climate change mitigation and adaptation, natural resource management, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, or governance and capacity building).
• 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 and the European Union.
• Relevant experience in related technical areas (natural resource management, peacebuilding, or governance and capacity building).
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations
• MEAL skills and experience required.

***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.

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

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.

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.