Job Summary:

CRS Rwanda is positioning to prime the USAID Feed the Future Market Systems for Livestock Activity, with a call for proposals expected in March 2025 and an award expected in July 2025 for a total project value between 10 and 25 million USD, and is seeking a short-term assignment for the position of Chief of Party -Technical Design Advisor to support proposal development and put together a successful response to the RFP or RFA (still to be determined by USAID).

Additionally, CRS has and is actively positioning for multiple USAID contracts around the world. A critical part of preparing and implementing successful USAID contracts has been identified as bringing on board an industry expert to provide time sensitive, high-quality contributions to our bids, providing insights on technical and contractual elements of our responses to RFPs as well as to our overall readiness for USAID contracts. The Chief of Party II – Technical Design Advisor will also be expected to participate in color reviews and provide ad hoc advisory support for other ongoing USAID FTF bids within the agency.

This short-term assignment is planned for six and a half months, from 15th January 2025 to 31st July 2025. This position will be based remotely with frequent travel to Rwanda. The telecommuter will be expected to manage their work visas and living accommodations in the country of their current residence for the period of this assignment.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure the project is designed (and later, 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 CRS program quality standards are adhered to per Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) policy and procedures.
• Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and USAID resources starting with the design. Ensure compliance with USAID contracts, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to USAID as design considerations.
• In close collaboration with current technical design lead, provide leadership during problem analysis and post-RFP design sessions, including review of initial ToC informed by assessments, literature review, and problem analysis.
• In collaboration with current technical design lead, ensure appropriate integration/coordination within and between the proposed project, the previous expired FtF contract, other CRS and USAID-funded projects, and government initiatives for appropriate sequencing, laying, and integrating.
• In close collaboration with CRS Rwanda’s proposal and program team, particularly the current technical design lead, conduct color review as well as review of final deliverables for the CP’s response to the MSLA opportunity.
• Based on design decisions, lead in drafting SOW for potential subcontractors/consultants/partners.
• In collaboration with CP, regional, and HQ leadership, ensure that the final consortium is competitive and responsive to the RFP or RFA.
• Depending on procurement process laid out by USAID Rwanda, lead the preparation of, and present the project design in an oral presentation to USAID.
• In close collaboration with CRS’ IDEA Contracts Support Unit team-led Grants under Contract consultancy, provide technical assistance to ensure that a high quality, industry standard Grants under Contract Manual is ready before the MSLA is awarded.
• Help Budget Lead understand programmatic cost drivers and technical activity costing, support budget negotiations with partners. Ensure “value for money” and cost efficiency considerations are included in the response to the RFP or RFA.
• Advise on project management and staffing plan so that all technical and managerial needs of the project are accounted for in staffing.
• Write portions of the technical narrative and technical annexes, as determined by the proposal writing production plan and in coordination with the lead writer and technical design lead.
• Conduct a compliance check as part of color reviews/deliverables for other CRS FTF bids.
• Provide timely and relevant assistance to CRS’ global efforts to prepare for implementing USAID contracts, as requested.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Excellent 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/mentoring skills.
• Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

• Established leader in sector as demonstrated by peer reviewed publications, conference presentations etc.
• Demonstrated experience of successful program management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
• Ability to represent and present at high levels.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Required Languages – English, (French and Kinyarwanda desired but not required)

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel to Rwanda as often as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: Country Representative, HoP, Programming staff, Finance Manager, Operations Manager, Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality, Regional Technical Advisors, HQ based Public Donor Liaison.

External: Donor, government agencies, consortium partners

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Agriculture, International Development, or relevant field.
• Minimum of 10 or more years work experience in a program management position with progressive responsibilities for an international agency, preferably in leading USAID Feed the Future Contracts as Chief of Party.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience managing donor funds, preferably for institutional donors including USAID. Strong knowledge and experience in budget management.
• Minimum of 5 years of staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching senior program staff.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current USAID rules and regulations
• Demonstrated background in designing similar projects.
• 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.
• Presentation and facilitation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results oriented.

Agency REDI 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 a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is 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 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 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.