Job Summary:

Leading the implementation of a collaborative soil and water management initiative in the southern region of Malawi specifically in Mangochi, Mulanje and Chikwawa. The project, involving a consortium of four member organizations, aims to deliver sustainable soil and water management interventions to improve water availability, reduce soil fertility depletion, and lessen impact of climate change to improve agricultural productivity. This program will build upon and integrate with existing projects to maximize impact across the region.

Please note that this position is contingent upon approval of funding.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

Program Coordination and Leadership

• Serve as the primary point of contact between the consortium organizations, ensuring alignment on goals, deliverables, and timelines.
• Facilitate collaboration and communication among consortium members to leverage synergies from existing projects.
• Develop and maintain a consolidated project plan, ensuring timely and efficient delivery of activities.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Establish and nurture relationships with stakeholders, including government agencies, community leaders, and international partners.
• Represent the consortium in stakeholder meetings, workshops, and conferences.
• Actively engage with beneficiaries to ensure community buy-in and the sustainability of interventions.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Work with partners and MEAL Lead to develop and implement a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework to measure the project’s impact.
• Coordinate and prepare high-quality progress reports for the consortium, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate identification of project challenges, risks, and opportunities, and provide actionable recommendations.

Resource Mobilization and Budget Management

• Oversee project budgets, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and efficient use of resources.
• Identify opportunities for additional funding to scale or replicate successful initiatives.
• Ensure financial and programmatic accountability across consortium partners.

Capacity Building

• Support member organizations in building technical and operational capacity in soil and water management practices.
• Organize training sessions, knowledge-sharing events, and collaborative workshops.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in environmental science, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• Experience: At least 8 years of experience managing large, multi-stakeholder projects, preferably in soil and water management or a related field.
• Proven track record in coordinating consortia or partnerships involving diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with the Malawian context and experience working on USAID-funded programs in the region is highly desirable.
• MEAL skills and experience preferred.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Key Competencies

• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and facilitation abilities.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in using project management and M&E tools.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of local languages is an asset.

b

Travel – include percentage of required travel, if applicable. Could be stated as Must be willing and able to travel up to 25 %.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none)

Key Working Relationships:

Internal – Land restoration Country Coordinator, HoP, MEAL Manager

External – Donors, Partners and key stakeholder

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development, International Relations or in the field of soil and water management required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing light to moderately complex projects required, preferably with an international NGO.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

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.