Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. 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 is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

PLEASE NOTE: Tentative start date will be September 2023

Job Summary

As Country Representative you will lead, manage and advance the programming and operations objectives and the mission of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to serve the poor and vulnerable. Your strategic leadership will enable you to advance CRS’ reputation and impact while you proactively manage security and mitigate security risks and liabilities.

CRS Mali has been in operation since 1999 and has proven success in coordinating complex and multi-sectoral emergency and development programs in nearly all regions of the country. In 2022, CRS reached millions of participants in Mali via a total of $35 million in programmed resources. CRS is Principal Recipient for the country’s flagship malaria grant working hand-in-hand with the Government of Mali’s National Malaria Control Program. In addition, CRS implements a USDA School Feeding program with the Ministry of Education and manages USAID/BHA’s Rapid Response Mechanism to support Internally Displaced Persons fleeing violence as a result of the country’s ten-year conflict, across the country, among other important interventions. CRS offices are located in the capital, Bamako, with sub-offices in Mopti, Gao and Timbuktu.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

Champion and lead the vision, mission and strategy. Lead the design of medium and long-term goals. Ensure program and operations leads coordinate their objectives in alignment with the strategy.

Ensure that all projects meet and exceed donor expectations and are designed and implemented for maximum impact and reach. Ensure the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures.

Effectively manage senior programming and operations talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring for HOP and Head of Operations. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans for large and complex projects and the recruitment process of senior staff.

Lead the development of strategic partnerships with national and international organizations that leverages resources, reputation, and expertise in line with CRS partnership principles. Ensure strong representation to key stakeholders, including Church partners, local and national government, US government and international donors.

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 in operations functions. Provide oversight and analysis regarding monthly expenditures.

Lead and direct the pursuit of strategic growth opportunities, prepositioning and capture planning.

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. Promote accountability, learning and knowledge management overseeing application of the MEAL policy, as well as cross-sectoral and cross-department learning.

Required Languages – English and French

Travel – 15% within the country and participating in 1-2 meetings regionally per year.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  Head(s) of Programming/Operations, BD Specialist, Risk and Compliance Officer, Partnership Manager.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Regional Director, Deputy Regional Directors for Program/Operations, Regional Technical Advisors, Humanitarian Response Department, Overseas Support Department, US Operations, Program Quality & Support Department, Global People Resources, Finance/Supply Chain Management Department.

External: Government of Mali national and local level officials from the Catholic Church, local and international PVOs, US government, various United Nations organizations, other donor governments, as well as key visitors from the USCCB and CRS partner organizations.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development, International Relations or a related field.
• 10 or more years’ experience managing complex relief and development programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working closely with host government agencies as local, implementing partners and with a view to strengthen their systems and structures.
• Capacity to successfully execute complex, high-value projects from multiple international donors, including USAID, EU, Foundations, and UN agencies, understanding of relevant donor priorities and regulations and building relations with them.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Experience working with Church partners required.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching and mentoring senior program staff, and succession planning.
• Ability to represent the agency at high levels.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

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.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

*** Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. 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 safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer