About CRS:

CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, health, agriculture, education, and peacebuilding.

Background:

CRS has been working on behalf of Afghan communities since 2002 and is currently implementing programs in the provinces of Bamiyan, Daykundi, Ghor, Herat, and Kabul. CRS maintains five main offices in the country as well as several sub-offices that support the direct implementation of program activities. With over 200 staff, the Country Program is growing to meet new needs throughout the country.

Job Summary:

With multisectoral programming and an evolving portfolio, CRS is seeking a Deputy Country Representative to lead efforts that strengthen the Country Program’s operations. As a member of the Country Program’s (CP) Senior Management Team, you will provide leadership and management of the operational functions – Finance, Human Resources (HR), Supply Chain Management (SCM), Administration, Information and Communication Technology, Security and Audit – in support of  CRS’ mission to serve the poor and vulnerable. You will promote stewardship of resources, ensure principled compliance, proactively manage risk, and lead operational improvements. Your strategic management skills will enable you to advance CRS’ reputation and impact while you proactively manage security and mitigate security risks and liabilities.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the design of medium and long-term goals under the guidance of the Country Representative, with a focus on operational excellence and internal controls. Harmonize program and operations objectives in alignment with the strategy.
• Monitor day-to-day operations to ensure all operational services (HR, Finance, Supply Chain, Admin, ICT) are delivered with high quality in an efficient manner and adhere to CRS policies, donor rules and regulations, and national laws.
• Collaborate with programming leads to ensure appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and proper stewardship of material sources. Anticipate, identify and address challenges that affect the proper stewardship, risk, and optimal utilization of program assets and resources (financial, human, and material).
• Effectively manage senior talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff wellbeing. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and contribute to the recruitment process of senior staff.
• Develop strategic partnerships with national and international organizations that leverage resources, reputation, and expertise in line with CRS partnership principles. Ensure strong representation to key stakeholders, including local and national government, local partners, and international donors.
• Under the direction of the Country Representative, oversee the preparation of annual budget plans and grant/project budgets to ensure they reflect maximum operational efficiency and budgetary compliance and mitigate risks. Set and provide technical oversight of internal processes for approving expenses, monitoring spending, and making budget adjustments in line with operational and programmatic needs and with donor requirements.
• Ensure the program is adequately staffed to meet CP needs and HR systems, policies and practices support a high-performance culture, staff development and retention.
• Oversee compliance with agency and donor requirements and local laws and regulations through periodic systems checks, review and assessment of CP’s operations policies and procedures. Act as lead contact and responder to issues that emerge from internal and external audits and provide recommendations and guidance to implement improvements.
• Ensure all staff understand and adhere to CRS staff safety and security policies and plans and ensure the updating of such plans.
• Maintain proper conditions for learning. Ensure a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Promote accountability, learning and knowledge management overseeing application of the MEAL policy, as well as cross-sectoral and cross-department learning.

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.
• Very good relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally.
• Team leadership abilities.
• Very good communications and presentation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Ability to represent the agency at high levels.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Required Languages – English (native/proficient). Dari and/or Pashto could be a plus.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% within Afghanistan and internationally for trainings, workshops, and other events.

Supervisory Responsibilities: To be determined

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: Country Representative, Head of Operations, Head of Programs, Deputy Head of Operations, Deputy Head of Programs, Director of Staff Health & Safety, Finance Manager, Safeguarding & Protection Technical Advisor, Risk & Compliance Manager, Chiefs of Party/Project Directors, Program Managers, Heads of Office, Deputy Regional Director-Management Quality, Deputy Regional Director-Program Quality, Regional People Officer, Regional Safety & Security Advisor, Regional Risk & Compliance Manager, Regional Finance Officer.

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in International Development, International Relations or a related field. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience managing high value relief and development programs.
• Demonstrated experience successfully managing high-value projects from multiple international donors, including USAID, FCDO, and UN agencies, knowledge of relevant donor regulations.
• Understanding of financial systems, including budgeting and budget/expense analysis experience.

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.

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

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Protection Acknowledgment: CRS prohibits all forms of abuse and exploitation towards children and vulnerable adults. As a professional candidate, you commit to adhering to the Agency’s policy on protection, rights and dignity of children and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from abuse and exploitation as defined in CRS’ Safeguarding Policy.