Chief of Party at Catholic Relief Services

Reports To: Country Representative

Note: This position is contingent upon grant and candidate approvals by the donor.

Background

CRS will be submitting a proposal in response to the 2019 USAID Food for Peace (FFP) Development Food Security Activities (DFSA) Request for Applications (RFA). CRS Kenya will serve as the prime on the application and will develop the proposal in consortium with other international non-governmental organizations, local implementing partners, and international/national research institutions. The overarching goal of this multi-sectoral activity is to sustainably reduce levels of acute malnutrition in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), focusing on Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu and Turkana counties. The estimated timeframe for this program is October 1, 2019 -- September 30, 2024.

The activity will be implemented in two phases:

• Phase I (1.5-2 years) Research, test approaches and collaboratively design a context-sensitive, multi-sectoral activity that sustainably reduces acute malnutrition
• Phase II (3- 3.5 years): Activity Implementation and System and Institutional Strengthening

CRS Kenya seeks a Chief of Party (COP) to be responsible for the overall management and representation of the DFSA and oversee achievement of project deliverables. The COP will be the primary liaison with USAID and will manage project staff and implementing partners to ensure proper reporting, financial management, and compliance The COP is expected to coordinate with county and national government and other stakeholders to ensure activities complement ongoing initiatives and adhere to both national priorities and global best practices.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Master's degree in development studies, international relations, agriculture, nutrition, public health, business administration or related field. PhD preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressively increasing management responsibility in international projects required, including experience in operational research, institutional capacity building nutrition or food security.
• Demonstrated experience in leading adaptive management and learning techniques.
• 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.
• Must have demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, other donor-funded programs, stakeholders, local organizations, and partners.
• Previous experience managing multi-sector programs focused on reducing acute malnutrition strongly preferred.
• Must demonstrate understanding and commitment to importance of gender and youth issues in food security and nutrition programming, as well as within staff and management.
• Must have demonstrated experience building institutional capacity of government partners.
• Prior Chief of Party experience effectively managing a large complex USAID-funded development program required; USAID Food for Peace COP experience strongly preferred.
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills; ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams.
• Proven experience in managing complex consortium or partnership relationships required.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity, patience and flexibility.
• Understanding of and experience with faith-based organizations, local church structures, and accompaniment and capacity-building principles in local partnerships desired.
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required.
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills required.
• Experience working in a variety of developing environments required; Kenya experience highly preferred.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

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

Equal Opportunity Employer

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.