Director I, Emergency Program Response Team (EPRT)

NOTE: The Pay Range referenced in this job announcement only applies to applicants who perform the job within the US and to applicants classified by CRS as International Assignees.  Staff hired on local payroll would follow the respective Country pay range.  Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your anticipated work location during the candidate selection process.

Pay Range
$112,838 - $137,943 Annually

The Humanitarian Response Department (HRD) provides leadership and support to CRS emergency programming. The HRD strengthens CRS’ impact through high quality, innovative programs; improved technical and management capacity at the field level; and active engagement in global efforts to promote excellence and learning in humanitarian response. The HRD has technical staff that supports emergency program planning, rapid response, and capacity strengthening of staff and partners worldwide.

Job Summary 

The primary role for the Director I for Emergency Program Response is the overall management of the HRD’s Emergency Program Response Team (EPRT) team, which includes over 15 Technical Advisors focusing on emergency program leadership and management, strategy development, business development, information management, risk management and capacity strengthening of staff and partners.  In this role, you will also represent CRS within key internal and external discussions related to Emergency Response and Recovery (ERR) programming; develop and promote the uptake of best practices for emergency response and recovery programming; and support capacity building of staff and partners. Your advice, knowledge, and support will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive and innovative CRS’ ERR programming will be across the globe.

 Roles and Key Responsibilities: 

Management of HRD PQM team 

• Provide leadership and direction for HRD’ EPR Team, including strategic vision, organization and action planning to support advancement of CRS’ programming in ERR.
• Provide oversight for the design and management of HRD-managed projects related to general ERR programming (e.g., MACP Emergency Rapid Response Fund)
• Coordinate closely with HRD and Regional leadership to monitor ERR support needs for CRS programs and partners; identify and support successful completion of deployments for EPRT members, including providing timely follow up on any challenges encountered.   
• Provide oversight to direct reports regarding EPRT activities, operational challenges, and the attainment of established departmental goals and objectives.
• Accountable for staff hiring, training, performance appraisal, and career development. 
• Recommends salary actions, disciplinary actions, and terminations. Ensure adherence to CRS Performance Management system, completion of development plans, coaching and performance reviews. 
• Commits to developing a high-performing team through personal mentoring and capacity strengthening. Identify and support access to opportunities for learning for EPRT – both internal and external. 
• Support wellbeing and staff care for EPRT team members.

ERR Program Quality and Capacity Strengthening 

• Support EPR team members in keeping abreast of trends, best practices and donor requirements in humanitarian programming.   
  • Ensure provision of remote ERR program quality support to requesting CPs and partners, including sharing of forms/templates/guidance, review of proposals, remote support for proposal development, etc.
    • Ensure the EPRT identifies and develops/updates learning and guidance resource needs related to ERR Program Quality, Information management, risk management and Capacity Strengthening. 
      • Promote the appropriate use of technology for humanitarian programming and the development/adaptation of CRS ICT4 platforms, as needed.
      • Foster close linkages between the EPRT and CP-based Emergency Coordinators/ Emergency Managers via regular ERR capacity strengthening/learning calls, webinars and COP meetings. 
      • Coordinate with and support HRD technical teams to ensure sound ERR program quality, management and MEAL practices are factored into technical approaches.
      • Work with Technical team and HRD Emergency Communications Director on the development and dissemination of learning including research opportunities, case studies and other publications. 

Representation and Coordination 

• In coordination with other HQ-based HRD staff and working closely with the Advocacy and IDEA teams, ensure strategic and consistent representation of CRS in Interaction, USG emergency donor  and UN meetings focused on humanitarian programming in the US. 
• Prepare and make presentations to internal and external audiences for HRD, as needed. 
• In the event of a major emergency response, serve as the convener for the HQ level Emergency Response Working Group in the absence of the HRD Department Lead and HRD Technical Director. 

HRD Team Leadership 

• Represent the EPRT on the HRD SMT and support SMT initiatives, as requested.
  • Provide HRD representation and/or leadership for agency-wide initiatives or policy/process changes (e.g., Agency strategy development; Enterprise Risk Management Council), as requested; ensure that these initiatives are adapted to ERR programming needs, as relevant.

  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Knowledge of humanitarian codes, principles and practice and experience in their use
• Knowledge of design requirements and regulations of major donors including the United States Government, Caritas, the EU/ECHO, DfID and UN agencies. 
• Strong proposal development and writing skills; including leading proposal development efforts.
• Excellent technical and non-technical writing skills.
• Excellent representation and speaking skills. 
• Strong negotiation and persuasion skills. 
• Good practical knowledge and experience in Information and Communication technology (ICT) and Information Management. 
• Ability to maintain performance expectations and strong working relationships in diverse cultural contexts, including psychologically and physically stressful environments. 

Required Foreign Language:

• Professional level in either French, Spanish, Arabic, or Portuguese is required.

Travel: 

• Travel is expected to be approximately 40% (up to four months of the year); duration of a deployment will generally be from 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on the needs of the country program. 
• Candidates should have capacity to live and work in difficult/stressful environments and serve wherever agency needs dictate. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• The position will oversee the 15+ member EPRT, directly supervising five EPRT unit leads.   
• The position may undertake temporary supervision/management roles within CRS country programs during deployments, as requested.   

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required. 
• Minimum of eight-ten years of relevant work experience
• Minimum of five years of management experience. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Masters degree in International Development or related field required.  
• Minimum of eight to ten years of relevant work experience required, with a minimum of five years of management experience leading teams in emergency response and recovery contexts. 
• Experience working with and through local partner organizations and in building the capacity of local organization to manage programs/resources in emergency contexts.
• Experience in emergency multi-sector program design, proposal development, supply chain, administration and financial oversight, response coordination, information management, and monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL), as well as integrating cross-cutting themes (e.g., capacity strengthening, safe and dignified programming, gender, good governance and social cohesion) into emergency programming. 
• Highly proficient in security protocols and management of emergency programs in insecure environments.
• Experience with and enthusiasm for coaching, mentoring and on the job training. 
• Experience promoting staff care in emergency settings.

Agency 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 U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.  Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.  CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture 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, 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.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.