Chief of Party I at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary: 

CRS is seeking a Chief of Party (CoP) for an anticipated project titled, “Strengthening immunization program implementation in sub-national consequential geographies,” which is funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC seeks to partner with to reach children in consequential geographies with routine immunizations and support health systems with capacity strengthening and resources for infectious disease surveillance. As Chief of Party, you will provide leadership and overall management of the CDC funded Immunization project. The CoP’s 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 immunization field. As a senior leader you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.

The CoP will be responsible for the successful implementation of the CDC-funded project to identify and vaccinate zero and under-dose children, support polio eradication, measles mortality reduction and regional measles and rubella elimination, hepatitis B and maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination, and other vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) surveillance; global laboratory networks for polio and measles/rubella; planning and implementation of supplemental immunization campaigns; and strengthening of immunization delivery systems and capacities in high priority countries.

The CoP is responsible for providing overall strategic leadership, oversight, and coordination for project activities and staff. S/he will possess both deep applied experience in immunization, surveillance, health system strengthening, and primary health care in fragile and conflict settings. S/he will have demonstrated abilities in leadership, strategic thinking, development of effective teams, and change management. S/he must also have a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and efficiently with host country agencies, including national and local governments, development partners, civil society, and community-based organizations.

The CoP will provide leadership in the design and implementation of the project to ensure effective and streamlined management of program operations that are in alignment with the CDC’s goals, objectives, and requirements. The CoP will serve as a liaison between the CDC, project personnel, consortium partners, and key stakeholders; lead communications with supported states and develop Country Operating Plans (COP); plan annual targets; ensure appropriate use of resources with the support of the Leadership Team (LT); and supervise and mentor interdisciplinary teams. S/he will lead the project’s LT to identify areas of concern within the project and work with the program team to find viable solutions. S/he will work with the MEL team to ensure continuous quality improvement. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all aspects of the development, implementation, and consolidation of the project, including sharing how the project contributes to the thought leadership of the industry. Serve as the primary point of contact to CDC as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders. 
• Ensure the project is designed and implemented to meet 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 CDC grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration, and reporting to CDC. Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors.
• Oversee the development of communication strategies and materials, complying with donor and CRS’ branding and marketing requirements and procedures.
• Coordinate relationships with consortium partner organizations, including organization of review/planning workshops. Contribute to coordination of 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

• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Strong 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 skills.
• Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

• Recognized 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.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development, International Relations, or a relevant technical area. PhD preferred.
• 7 or more years’ relevant management and technical experience.
• 5 years’ experience managing donor funds, including multi country grants.  Strong knowledge and experience in budget management.
• Experience in health program implementation in fragile/conflict settings including experience in health systems strengthening, immunization, surveillance, supply chain management, and community mobilization.
• Experience as a chief of party of senior expert advisor required.
• 5 years of staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching senior program staff.