Chief of Party II, Resilience Food Security Activity

This post is contingent on donor funding and donor approval of the candidate.  

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 agriculture, livelihoods, emergency response, HIV, health, education and peacebuilding programming. 

CRS programs in Uganda currently support five strategic priority areas, including Health and Social Services Systems Strengthening, Resilient Food Systems, Emergency Preparedness and Management, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Local Leadership. CRS Uganda implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including international and local NGOs, Ugandan government departments and ministries, the Catholic Church, and community-based organizations for maximum impact and sustainability. CRS Uganda employs around 150 staff and has its main office in Kampala, with sub-offices in Yumbe, Kyangwali, Kasese, Hoima and Tororo. 

Job Summary: As Chief of Party II, you will provide vision, leadership and overall management of a USAID Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) project to serve the poor and vulnerable. Your strategic leadership, management and technical knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming, ensure proper stewardship of project resources and advance the position of CRS as a leading humanitarian and development agency in Uganda. As a senior leader you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks. 

Roles and Responsibilities: 

Lead all aspects of the implementation and consolidation of the RFSA project, including ensuring that the project contributes to the thought leadership in the sector. Serve as the primary point of contact to USAID BHA as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders. 

Ensure the project is designed and implemented to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability. Ensure coordination between program and operations leads. 

Ensure the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures. 

Effectively manage senior programming and operations talent. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee 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. Ensure compliance with USAID grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to USAID. Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors. Support programmatic close out and financial reporting close out. 

Represent CRS programming in international circles, highlighting innovative work. Publish program results and deliver presentations. Oversee the development of communication strategies and materials, complying with donor and CRS' branding and marketing requirements and procedures. 

Manage relationships with consortium partner organizations, including organization of review/planning workshops. Coordinate 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 ensure the design and delivery of high-quality training and technical assistance. 

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements: 

Education and Experience 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  

Required Languages: Professional proficiency in English, Luganda an asset 

Travel Required: Position based in Uganda (Field or Capital Location). Up to 50% travel to project sites anticipated. 

Key Working Relationships:  

Supervisory: Directly supervises senior program leadership (Strategic Learning Advisor, MEAL Manager, others) 

Internal: Country Program leadership and Departments, regional office technical advisors and staff, HQ contacts 

External: USAID, multilateral partners and donors, Government of Uganda representatives, local administrative leaders, research institutions, Church partners, among 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 

Accountability and Stewardship 

Build Relationships 

Develops Talent 

Continuous Improvement and Innovation 

Strategic Mindset 

***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.  

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. This position is contingent upon award of the funding opportunity to CRS and USAID’s approval of the proposed candidate. 

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.  

CRS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. CRS does not unlawfully discriminate in any aspect of the employment process on the basis of race, color, ancestry or national origin, religion, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition or pregnancy, protected veteran status, or genetic information and any other non-merit-based status protected by Country law. We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.