Senior Program Manager, Strengthening Families for Thriving Children

About CRS

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.

As part of its Vision 2030 agency strategy, CRS is investing in six strategic change platforms to achieve results at scale. One of these key strategic change platforms is Strengthening Families for Thriving Children Strategic Change Platform 5 (SCP5). This Strategic Change Platform is a bold initiative to support vulnerable children to thrive in safe, healthy, and nurturing families, create more resilient and supportive communities, work with our Catholic partners, civil society and governments to establish policies and systems that strengthen families, at scale. SCP5 also aims to influence governments, donors, Catholic actors and other regional and global stakeholders to redirect resources and support to strengthening families. 

The platform is implemented across CRS country programs and works around the world to influence other countries, regions and global actors to change practices, policies and resources in support of family strengthening and family care. In addition, Changing the Way We Care℠(CTWWC), the Platform's flagship initiative, amplifies a global movement to prevent children from entering residential care and to place children currently in residential care in safe and nurturing families. To date, the initiative has been active in five demonstration countries (Kenya, Guatemala, Moldova, Haiti and India). 

 

Job Summary:

As Senior Program Manager you will provide overall leadership and management to a CRS initiative called “Strengthening Families for Thriving Children” which is CRS’ Strategic Change Platform 5 (SCP5). You will also be responsible for the quality of programmatic implementation - including monitoring, evaluation accountability and learning (MEAL) - and administrative elements of the program to ensure programming and operational excellence. Collaborating with CRS staff and strategic partners in ongoing child protection, social services, and other-related programming, you will be responsible for ensuring that program results are achieved on time and on budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability, and that the budget is consumed as planned. You will also represent CRS externally and spearhead fundraising efforts for the platform.

 

• Lead the development, implementation and consolidation of SCP5. Provide oversight for all aspects of program quality, program management, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL), representation, and human resources. Serve as the primary representative for the platform, including within CRS and externally with public, private and non-government stakeholders.
• Lead the development of a strategy that defines the consolidated direction of the platform and CRS’ role in care system reform through 2030 and beyond, ensuring the appropriate integration of CTWWC and SCP5 into a cohesive platform.
• Ensure strategic objectives and results are accomplished and meet technical quality standards through annual and quarterly activity/budget planning and forecasting. Organize planning and review workshops. Provide in-country and remote support, and coordinate between country, regional and global level divisions, colleagues and technical experts so all are informed and have a shared understanding of SCP5. In coordination with country programs, ensure quarterly review of implementation plans is completed.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being, ensuring a safe work environment. Provide coaching and mentoring through direct and matrixed management. Strategically tailor development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports, as applicable. Oversee the development of staffing plans and recruitment process of senior staff in country programs that are engaged with SCP5.
• 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. Facilitate global SCP5 sessions and contribute to global reflection on what is working and what is not within the platform, including through dialogue, research and thematic exploration. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high-quality training and technical assistance. 
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