Job Title: Field Manager

Duty Station: Afar, Semera

Department: Operations

Job grade: 9

Reports To: Deputy Head Of Operation

Number required:   1(one)

Term of employment: Definite period (i.e. till July 20, 2027)

Country/Location:   CRS Ethiopia

Job Summary: 

You will manage and represent Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) activities operating through its sub-office Afar, Semera to support implementation of high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. Out of the Afar, Semera sub-office you will support the development and effective management of operational systems and resources and the delivery of high-quality programming in coordination with the CRS main office in Addis Ababa.  You will also provide general oversight of local partner projects and activities supported by CRS to recommend capacity building needs and identify inefficiencies and potential concerns. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Support the planning and implementation of all key activities at the sub-office level ensuring alignment with Country Program (CP) and agency strategic programming and operations excellence priorities and standards.

• As the primary representative of CRS in Afar, enhance existing relationships and establish new, robust partnerships with local and regional government entities, UN agencies, implementing partners, clusters, and community organizations. Regularly engage with partner management staff to review program and operations management, support capacity-strengthening initiatives, and address critical issues, fostering collaboration and mutual growth.

• Approve expenses and monitor spending in line with operational and programmatic needs and donor requirements.

• Serve as the safety and security focal point and coordinate with the CP security manager and local UNDSS and other relevant actors. Proactively manage security and mitigate security risks. Ensure a safe work and living environment through leading the implementation of safety and security protocols and staff care and well-being best practices.

• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports. Monitor and assess performance to ensure adequate capacity. Contribute to staffing plans and recruitment process of field staff. 

• Represent the JEOP program in a variety of internal and external forums, including meetings (within CRS, the JEOP consortium) and regional bodies such as the Afar DRMC, JEOP and WFP cluster level meetings, regional ECC, and regional access working groups. As the JEOP operation unit focal person for the Food cluster in the assigned region, actively participate in these meetings by sharing updates on program activities and responding to questions and concerns.

• Serve as a key point of contact for donor and high-level delegate visits to JEOP CRS warehouses and partner distribution sites. Provide necessary support and facilitation to ensure smooth and successful visits.

• Proactively and effectively manage resources and promote stewardship, ensuring program and operations teams and partner staff have and optimize the appropriate human, financial, and material resources and tools. Recommend partner staffing needs, general administrative concerns and possible areas where CRS can provide a greater level of assistance to its local partners.

• Manage day-to-day operations to ensure all operational services (HR, Finance, Supply Chain, Admin, ICT, fleet) are delivered with high quality in an efficient manner and adhere to policies. Manage risk and address challenges that affect the proper stewardship, optimal utilization and maintenance of program assets and resources (financial, human, and material).

• Create and maintain the proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for the sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to small deficiencies. Identify capacity strengthening needs for staff and partners and coordinate with CRS Ethiopia program and operations teams to address capacity strengthening.

• Provide oversight to overall commodity management and ensure that needs related to staffing levels, capacity, and compliance to USAID/FFP regulations are monitored and addressed as needed. 

Job Requirements

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Master's Degree in Business Administration, International Relations, or relevant field required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.

• Minimum of 5 years work experience in a non-profit, development, and/or humanitarian organization with progressive responsibilities and some project management experience. Experience with an international organization is a plus.

• Experience working with projects funded by multiple public donors, including USAID. 

• Experience in stakeholder management and establishing and strengthening community partnerships.

• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.

• Knowledge of procurement and general office administrative/management issues

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information management systems.

Personal Skills 

• Excellent strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgments 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

• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

• Able to live in an environment where everyday comforts may not be readily available.  

Required/Desired Language: 

Proficient in Afar, English, and Amharic languages

Travel Required: Travel to field locations with Afar. Occasional travel (<5%) to Addis Ababa for meetings and trainings.

How to Apply

If you are ready to take on this rewarding opportunity and make a difference in the lives of others, you may fill out the application form through THIS LINK and attach your up-to-date CV on/before the application deadline on December 12, 2024. You will be contacted only if selected for a written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted, and these job opportunities are open to Ethiopian nationals only. 

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

Qualified females and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer