Chief of Party II – Sustainable, Transformational and Accessible WASH Interventions (STAWI) at Catholic Relief

Job Summary:

As Chief of Party II you will provide vision, leadership, and overall management of the anticipated ‘Sustainable, Transformational and Accessible WASH Interventions’ (STAWI) project. The project aims to build resilience and expand economic opportunities in Kenya ASAL counties through better management of water resources, expansion of water and sanitation services and improved use of water for domestic and productive purposes. The goal of the project is to 1) Improve governance of water resources and water services, 2) increase sustainability of water services delivery, 3) Improve management and efficiency of water use for productive purposes and 4) Change behaviors related to water use, sanitation and hygiene. Your strategic leadership, management and technical knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming and advance the position of CRS as a leading agency in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene field. As a senior leader you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.

This post is contingent on approved donor funding. Qualified Kenyan nationals are highly encouraged to apply.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all aspects of the development, implementation, and consolidation of the WASH project, including sharing how the project contributes to the thought leadership of the industry. Serve as the primary point of contact to USAID as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders.
• Ensure the project is designed and implemented in a gender responsive and/or transformative manner and meets 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 the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures.
• Effectively manage senior programming and operations talent. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of senior staff.
• Manage and mitigate risk through monitoring national and regional issues that may impact staff and programming. Ensure all staff understand and adhere to CRS staff safety and security policies and plans and ensure the updating of such plans.
• Promote, uphold, and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Ensure compliance with USAID grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration, and reporting to USAID. Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors.
• Represent CRS programming in international circles, highlighting innovative work. Publish program results and deliver presentations. Oversee the development of communication strategies and materials, complying with donor and CRS’ branding and marketing requirements and procedures.
• Manage relationships with consortium partner organizations, including organization of review/planning workshops. Coordinate the roles and activities of staff from other consortium member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles.
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high quality training and technical assistance.

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.
• Awareness of and commitment to gender equality standards in operations and programming
• 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.
• Good knowledge of transformative WASH system strengthening and governance principles, methods and monitoring tools adapted to Kenyan context
• Knowledge/experience in working with finance and business development agencies to improve WASH services
• Knowledge/experience in market-based approaches to develop WASH services.
• Knowledge/experience in behavior change strategy development in ASAL context
• USG contracting experience is a plus

Required Languages – Fluency in English.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel in-country up to 25%

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none): Project staff

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Country Representative, Head of Programming, Programming staff, Finance Manager, , Regional Technical Advisors, HQ based Public Donor Liaison.

External: Donor, government agencies, partner INGOs and local NGOs, peer agencies, community representatives, private sector actors, including financial institutions.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in International Development, International Relations, or a relevant technical area. PhD preferred.
• 10 or more years’ relevant management and technical experience.
• 7 years’ experience managing donor funds, including multi country grants.  Excellent knowledge and experience in budget management.
• 5 years of staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching and mentoring senior program staff. 

 Agency-wide 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.

1. Integrity
2. Continuous Improvement & Innovation
3. Builds Relationships
4. Develops Talent
5. Strategic Mindset
6. Accountability & Stewardship 

***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.

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

Note:  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.

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.

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 an Equal Opportunity Employer