Head of Programming I, Honduras

Job Summary

As a member of the Honduras Program (CP) Senior Management Team, the Head of Programming (HoP) I provide strategic direction, leadership, and management of the CP’s programming to ensure the establishment and successful implementation of high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. The HoP leadership, management, and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its programming. As part of the Senior Management Team, the HoP proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Country Manager (CM) Provide strategic direction for the design of the Country Program (CP) strategic frameworks and plans upon CM request, including the development of resource mobilization strategies to optimize the impact of programming interventions in line with regional and agency strategic priorities.
• Engage with local authorities, donors, UN agencies, peer organization and other stakeholders to develop strategy partnerships for influence and scale.
• Lead high-quality project design incorporating project management standards and MEAL methods, appropriate to the scope, context, and technical requirements of projects. Coordinate planning of activities across various projects from different sectors to ensure integration of program interventions and efficiency in implementation.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise (direct and matrix supervision). Manage team dynamics and staff well-being to foster a positive working environment.
• Provide coaching, strategically tailored individual development plans, and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Contribute to developing staffing plans for projects and to the recruitment process of senior project staff. 
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing ideas, solutions, and difficulties, and the capacity to detect, analyze, and respond quickly to deficiencies and challenges. 
• Lead and supervise accountability, learning, and knowledge management, overseeing implementation of the MEAL policy, as well as cross-sectoral and cross-department learning.
• Coordinate with Country Program operations and finance teams (Honduras Operation management committee) to ensure appropriate project budgeting and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Lead and supervise positioning and communications strategies, activities, and staff to ensure strong engagement with key stakeholders and greater organizational visibility. 
• In coordination with resource mobilization staff in the Region and CP, oversee and support the business development cycle, including proposal development, to ensure quality proposals per agency and donor standards. 
• Oversee the identification, assessment, and strengthening of appropriate partnerships and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools, and approaches. Identify, assess, and strengthen partnerships with government, private sector, and church partners.
• Ensure technical assistance and capacity strengthening for project teams and partners in project management standards and related MEAL, business development, and operational activities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Excellent and probed English writing skills.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience and abilities in capacity strengthening - developing curricula and facilitating training.
• Experience using MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge sharing networks.
• Excellent strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to see the big picture and the ability to make sound judgments 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
• Presentation and facilitation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented

Required Languages: Fluency in Spanish and English is required to perform the job.

Travel: This position required 35% of time spent traveling to the field. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in International Development, International Relations, development management or relevant field. 
• Minimum 6 years of relevant field-based program management, with at least 2 years of senior management experience in projects or a portfolio of projects. Direct implementation of projects in areas of agriculture, education, youth, and environment-water is desired.
• Experience in the development of successful proposals, reports, strategic alliances, project design, project management, and monitoring and evaluation. Experience in partner capacity strengthening, staff development, training, and mentoring, as well as in team building and strategic planning initiatives.
• Experience in community development, community mobilization, or similar grassroots, self-help initiatives.
• Experience in project grants management, including project design, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, etc., preferably for projects funded by multiple public donors, including USAID or other USG agencies.
• Experience with successful business development activities capturing public and/or private donor funding.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master degree is preferred in relevant areas.
• Experience working with Church partners and local partners.

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• 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.

What we offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.  Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.  CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world. 

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  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 safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, 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 committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

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.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.