Prior to applying, please read important application instructions on the International Development Fellows Program webpage: https://www.crs.org/about/careers/fellowships 

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 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.

Background

The Fellows Program is designed for individuals dedicated to a career in international development. While contributing to impactful work, Fellows hone their skills and gain experience in program management and operations. All Fellows complete a comprehensive practical hands-on training in project management, project design and proposal development, monitoring and evaluation, and operations (human resources, supply chain, security, safeguarding). Each Fellow is based in one of CRS’ country programs for the 12-month fellowship. Many Fellows build a career with CRS after completing the Fellowship.

Before applying, please visit the IDFP webpage (https://www.crs.org/about/careers/fellowships) to learn more about the Fellowship learning objectives, structure, placement process, benefits, and application requirements.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of an experienced staff member, the Fellow is responsible for applying their experience and knowledge to programming and operations, including project management, project design and proposal development, and monitoring & evaluation.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

Project Management

• Develop early start-up plans and budgets, including procurement and distribution plans (in collaboration with operations staff).
• Facilitate start-up workshops with partners (moving from proposal to implementation– review roles & responsibilities, activities, partner budgets, etc.).
• Develop detailed implementation plans for new projects or review/update existing plans with CRS staff and partners. Proactively identify changes based on lessons learned and monitoring data.
• Facilitate quarterly project planning meetings with CRS staff and partners.
• Monitor project activities through field visits, identify challenges/risks and propose solutions to senior management.
• Analyze project spending rates against detailed implementation plans and propose corrective actions if needed.
• Write and/or edit donor reports in collaboration with CRS staff and partners, ensure accuracy of data, document lessons learned, provide recommendations to overcome issues identified.
• Serve as Acting Project Manager and/or independently lead a larger-scale project activity. Responsibilities will include organizing activities with partners, proactively managing potential risks and issues, ensuring compliance, managing project/activity budget, donor reporting, leading decisions on timing, scale and adaptations per CRS and donor protocols.
• Support planning and implementation of site visits for donors and partners.
• Lead updates to country program strategy through collaborative process with senior management.

Project Design and Proposal Development

• Prepare competitive environment mapping exercises, participate in go/no-go decisions around new funding opportunities for country program, support development of strategic partnerships.
• Write project concept notes for various sectors and donors per country program strategy.
• Co-facilitate participatory design workshops with the following output: problem & stakeholder analysis, results framework, theory of change, proframe, etc.
• Coordinate proposal team, serve as lead writer for technical and/or cost proposals, lead final packaging/editing of proposal, draft responses to issues letters from donors.
• Document learning from program results (prepare one-pagers, success stories, past performance reviews).

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning 

• Lead research & analysis of primary and secondary data to inform new project design.  Coordinate collection of primary data through surveys and/or rapid assessments by designing survey tools, training data collectors, etc.
• Support design and/or implementation of baseline or final project evaluations (e.g. prepare SOW for external consultants per CRS and donor M&E requirements, review data collection tools).
• Develop sections of both evaluation and performance management plans (in collaboration with technical staff) for a new proposal and update per award agreement.
• Co-create MEAL Manual for a new project by facilitating interactive partner workshop with the following output: communication maps, data collection tools, reporting templates, reporting plans, etc.
• Enhance data quality by participating in field data collection exercises (e.g. conduct quality checks, build capacity of data collectors).
• Participate in development of a new accountability mechanism and/or review effectiveness of an existing accountability mechanism.
• Support evidence-based decision making and adaptive management by analyzing project monitoring and evaluation data and proposing program adaptations accordingly.
• Organize a learning event for a project or project activity with key partners, document lessons learned, propose adaptations as needed.

Operations

• Support staff recruitment by preparing job descriptions, reviewing applications, shortlisting candidates, preparing panel interview questions, participating in interviews and recommending candidates for hire.
• Support procurement by participating in bid analysis and vendor selection, receipt, and warehousing of goods.
• Review security protocols and propose updates to the field security plan as needed.
• Support supply chain management by reviewing systems for delivery, storage and distribution of goods, assisting with inventory counts, data collection, analysis & verification.
• Support strong risk management and compliance by reviewing internal controls, systems for fraud prevention, CRS & donor guidelines and flagging areas of potential concern for CRS staff and partners.
• Co-facilitate trainings for CRS staff and partners on safeguarding policies and procedures.

Basic Qualifications

• Graduate degree (Master’s level or higher) in relevant field (e.g. Sustainable Development, Global Affairs, Development Economics, Public Administration, Agriculture, Health, Business, Finance, Supply Chain).
• Minimum of two years of work experience, including minimum of six months of work or volunteer experience in a developing country.
• Able to be based in locations with infectious diseases and limited access to medical facilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Strong relationship management skills, able to work effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds (in-person and virtually), able to influence without authority.
• Effective communicator; able to develop tailored and influential messaging for varied audiences, proficient in virtual work setting.
• Develops others; able to listen, support and mentor.
• Flexible; willing to work in developing countries around the world.

Required Languages

• Fluency in English with strong oral and written communication skills.
• Professional proficiency in a second language (preference given to major languages where CRS works (e.g. French, Arabic).

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel within country of assignment 10 -25% of the time.

Agency-wide Respect, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) Competencies  

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 responsibilities 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 principles.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  None

Key Working Relationships

Internal: CRS Country Representative, Head of Programming, Head of Operations, Program Managers, Operations staff, Talent Pipeline Team in Global People Resources.

External: CRS partner organizations, local bilateral and multilateral institutions, host government, donor agencies, local/international NGO offices.

***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. 

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

If, due to a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please e-mail: [email protected].