About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is United States Based international humanitarian agency. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS has been operational in Pakistan since 1954. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through program of emergency response, food security/livelihood, education and disaster risk reduction (DRR). Currently, CRS is responding to monsoon floods in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. CRS has been working with local national partners to support government led efforts for implementation of 2022 flood response and recovery in Pakistan.

This year, CRS will launch a 2-year, land restoration and watershed restoration project funded by CRS private funds (Strategic Change Platform 3 and HQ) in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Under this project, CRS will work with communities and local stakeholders to implement initiatives that contribute to improved watershed management by developing Pakistan guidelines for watershed management while using CRS global guidebook on watershed restoration.

Job Summary:

You will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the Country Program (CP) land restoration, watershed management/resilience programming, particularly for this project, ensuring effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its land restoration/watershed management and community-led development programming.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of new and existing land restoration/watershed management projects within the CP throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide strong and intentional coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports. The Program Manager is expected to invest significantly in working with national staff to strengthen their capacity for leadership roles within the CP.
• Lead the development of program learning: identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in the area of land restoration and watershed management, and implementation of MEAL policy that are aligned with CRS, SCP 3 and Headquarters priorities for learning. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices for adaptive management and improved decision making.
  • Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP Agriculture and livelihoods resilience portfolio, including watershed management and DRM, water, and agriculture/livelihoods sector portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP strategic priorities for strengthening community resilience. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals for opportunities for community-led resilience strengthening per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
  • Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in agriculture and livelihoods resilience, including watershed management and DRM, water, and agriculture/livelihoods for staff, communities, and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
  • Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to community-led development in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
  • Manage the engagement of stakeholders in the project through participatory approaches and other means. Provide thought leadership for efforts to engage stakeholders in the scaling and replication of project activities.
  • Lead efforts to ensure that programming takes a Do No Harm approach and has strong integration of safeguarding and protection principles. Ensure that targeted communities take an active leadership role throughout the project, with strong participation and inclusion of vulnerable, marginalized, and diverse groups.
  • Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources. Work closely with Finance colleagues to develop and maintain strong tools for financial tracking and management.
  • Lead efforts to identify, manage, and mitigate risks associated with CRS’ programming. In collaboration with the Program and Operations staff, develop a risk register with strong mitigation measures that are regularly reviewed and updated over the course of the project.

Basic Qualifications

• Master's degree in International Development, International Relations or in the fields of natural resource management, Forestry or agriculture required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working on development programming focused on building resilience, including in the areas of watershed/natural resource and/or disaster risk management, Water and/or agriculture/livelihoods.
• Experience in managing moderately complex and multi-sectoral projects, preferably with an international NGO.
• Strong demonstrated staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment and staff growth.

Required Languages – Fluency in English, Urdu and Pushto is required.

Travel – This position will be based in Upper Dir, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province, with 70% travel to targeted communities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions.
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

• Good experience in project management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors.
• Experience managing community-led development projects.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals and reports.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations.
• MEAL skills and experience required, including PRA methodology and approaches.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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. 

• 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Project Officer

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Country Manager, Head of Programs, Program Manager (MEAL), Head of Operations, Finance Manager and Safeguarding Officer.

External: SCP3 team (donor), Headquarter focal persons; peer organizations (international and national); Academia, relevant Government departments/entities and Working Groups

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 protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

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

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

Applications are considered on an ongoing basis.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer