Job Title: Deputy Chief of Party II Operations – Feed the Future Flagship Agricultural Activity, DRC

Job Location: Kinshasa

Reports to: Chief of Party

Salary Grade: 11

*This post is contingent on donor funding and donor approval of the candidate.

About CRS

CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, health, agriculture, and education.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the most populous, vast and resource rich countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Decades of conflict and other challenges over the past decades have left the Congo with 73% of its population living under the internationally recognized poverty rate of $1.90 per day and 43% of children are malnourished due to inadequate social and health services. Given its fragility and weak institutions, the country is susceptible to health crises, including recent outbreaks of Ebola, measles, cholera and potentially COVID-19. CRS has operated in the DRC since 1961, successfully implementing programs in nutrition, agriculture, livelihoods, emergency, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health, microfinance, and peacebuilding throughout the country.

CRS DRC plans to respond to USAID/Democratic Republic of Congo’ anticipated Feed the Future Flagship Agriculture Activity which will be for 4 to 6 years with a total budget of $50-99 million and will focus on two provinces, Kongo Central and Kasai Central.  The project will aim to support economic growth from the agriculture sector that is inclusive and sustainable; strengthen resilience at an individual, community, national and systems-level; improve the nutritional condition of women and children. This position may be based in either Kinshasa or Kananga.  This position is being posted both internationally and locally with a preference for Congolese nationals.

Job Summary:

CRS is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party II (DCoP) – Operations (Deputy Project Director – Operations) for the USAID-funded Feed the Future Flagship Agricultural Activity in the Kasai Central and Kongo Central provinces. The DCoP – Operations will play a pivotal role in ensuring rigorous financial management, risk mitigation, and resource stewardship to support the effective implementation of programs benefiting the poor and vulnerable populations. In collaboration with the Chief of Party and Senior Management Team, you will oversee the administrative, operational, financial, and human resource components of the project. You will anticipate and address operational management and risk challenges and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Additionally, you will lead on operational oversight on procurement, logistics, contracts, grants, asset management, ICT, and general administration to facilitate the timely and efficient delivery of the program activities. You will promote stewardship of resources, help ensure principled contract compliance, proactively identify risk issues, and lead operational improvements.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Chief of Party (Project Director) to lead the operational and contractual aspects of the USAID Feed the Future project, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and donor requirements.
• Manage operations functions – systems, processes and staffing – for the consortium that meet CRS’ standards, donor requirements, and local regulations and support high-quality programming. Collaborate with consortium programming leads to ensure appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and proper stewardship of material sources.
• Monitor day-to-day operations to ensure support services are delivered with high-quality in an efficient manner under the Feed the Future project. Identify and help address challenges that affect the proper stewardship and optimal utilization of program assets and resources (financial, human, and material).
• Implement and enhance internal organizational and financial processes to optimize efficiency and effectiveness in Feed the Future project implementation.
• Ensure compliance with local and national rules, regulations, and policies regarding contracts, grants, procurements, and financial management, fostering transparency and accountability.
• Manage the planning and implementation of field activities, overseeing budgets, grants, operational and procurement plans, and reporting to ensure procedural and financial compliance for Feed the Future.
• Provide operational guidance and support to program staff and managers responsible for implementing Feed the Future, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability within the team.
• Supervise the recruitment and management of local operational/financial staff and consultants, promoting diversity and inclusion in staffing practices.
• Manage talent effectively, providing coaching, strategic development planning, and performance management to direct reports, fostering a high-performing and motivated team.
• Ensure compliance with agency and USAID contract requirements and local laws and regulations through periodic systems checks, review and assessment of operations policies and procedures. Manage response to issues that emerge from internal and external audits and provide guidance to implement improvements.
• Maintain the proper conditions for learning: a safe environment for the sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to small deficiencies. Provide operational oversight to the consortium capacity sharing strategy, ensuring strong sharing of knowledge and experience among consortium members such that member organizations and the consortium as a whole develop strengthened capacities.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree strongly preferred; degrees in International Development, International Relations or a relevant technical area are also welcome.
• 7 or more years’ relevant management and technical experience.
• 5 years’ experience managing donor funds, including multi country grants.  Strong knowledge and experience in budget management.
• Previous experience managing contract mechanisms funded by USAID or a similar donor are highly desired.
• Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of functions of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Very good planning, monitoring, and organizational skills.
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results oriented.
• Ability to work collaboratively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred 8+ years of progressively responsible operational management experience in support of large-scale international development programs.
• Substantial budgeting, budget/expense analysis, and accounting experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of USAID rules and regulations (ADS, FAR) and USAID procurement regulations (22 CFR 228).
• Knowledge of local laws in taxation and local regulatory reporting procedures.
• Staff supervision and team management experience.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills (financial management topics).
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications.

Required Languages – Fluency in English and French is required.

Travel – This position is anticipated to be based in Kinshasa. Must be willing and able to travel up to 30% within the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes. Specific supervisory responsibilities to be determined.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal – Chief of Party (Project Director), Deputy Chief of Party – Technical (Deputy Project Director – Technical), Country Representative, Head of Operations, Deputy Head of Operations, Finance Manager, HR Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Head of Programming, RFSA Chief o Party II, Deputy Regional Director – Operations.

External – Donors, partner INGOs and local NGOs, private sector actors, relevant government ministries, and peer agencies.

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.

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 welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, 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 an Equal Opportunity Employer