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 programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary:

Pending a successful bid for the award, you will provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion programming for an anticipated Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA), ensuring effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the country program (CP) delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its anticipated RFSA award. The Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion Advisor will facilitate, monitor, and report on all RFSA project activities related to gender, youth, and social inclusion. S/he will support consortium partners and local partners in coordinating and implementing activities and related data collection for the gender, youth, and social inclusion.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead program quality design, implementation, and measurement of gender, youth, and social inclusion activities under the anticipated RFSA 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 talent for gender, youth, and social inclusion and manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Lead the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in gender, youth, and social inclusion and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in gender, youth, and social inclusion for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to gender, youth, and social inclusion 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.
• Represent CRS with key stakeholders in strategic activities such as coordination platforms, policy meetings and thematic committees / technical groups.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations, Gender Studies, or a related or relevant fields required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 5 years working in gender, youth, disability, and social inclusion.
• Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of functions of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects.
• Experience using intersectional approaches to integrate gender, age, disability and other significant socio-cultural elements in the context of food, nutrition, and economic security programming.
• Demonstrated experience leading data/information collection, analysis and utilization/implementation for program adaptive management.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching.
• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals and reports.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations
• MEAL and research skills and experience required.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Not required but would be advantageous: Previous work experience in Niger, written and oral proficiency in local languages.

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.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented

Required Languages – English, French

Travel Required: – Position based in Niger. Up to 40% travel to project sites anticipated.

Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory Responsibilities: Project gender, youth, and social inclusion project staff

Internal: Chief of Party, Head of Programming, Deputy Head of Programming, CP MEAL/ICT4D Coordinator, Gender Technical Advisor, Disability and Inclusion Technical advisor,Youth Technical Advisor, Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality, Regional Technical Advisors

External – Partner staff, USAID BHA

Agency REDI 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. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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

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 handica , 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.