About CRS

Catholic Relief Services-USCCB “CRS” 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 Sudan is as dynamic and diverse as the needs of the people we serve. Since 1978, CRS Sudan has been assisting the people of Sudan across the emergency, recovery, and development spectrum. Key sectoral areas for CRS Sudan include food security, livelihoods, nutrition, health, peacebuilding, and natural resource management. CRS Sudan Program has an expanding portfolio of programs crossing the emergency response and resiliency spectrum. 

This position will be based in El-Geneina (West Darfur), working for the Sudan country program and is a member of the Senior Management Team.

Job Summary:

As Head of State offices (HOSO), you will manage and advance the programming and operations objectives across Sudan under the guidance of the Country Representative in support of Catholic Relief Services-USCBB (CRS) mission to serve the poor and vulnerable. Program implementation is managed by Head of Programming and operations are managed by Head of Operations. Each state office and offices in the localities are managed by State Office Managers / Area Coordinators and you will provide overall leadership for CRS state offices across Sudan. You work with the teams to ensure offices continue to be operational where the security context allows. Your strategic management skills will enable you to advance CRS’ reputation and impact while you proactively manage security and mitigate security risks and liabilities.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership for CRS State offices across Sudan, including line management of State Office Managers.
• Contribute to the Country Program (CP) strategic planning and programming by providing input on needed investments in operations capacity – systems, processes and staffing – that meet CRS’ standards, donor requirements, and local regulations and support high-quality programming. 
• Plan, integrate, coordinate, and monitor day-to-day operations, in coordination and collaboration with the Sudan Program Head of Operations, to ensure all support services are delivered with high-quality in an efficient manner. Address issues where operations support needs to be adapted for complex programming. 
• Effectively manage senior talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and contribute to the recruitment process of senior staff.
• Develop strategic partnerships with local government, national and international organizations that leverages resources, reputation, and expertise in line with CRS partnership principles. Ensure strong representation to key stakeholders, including 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.
• Keep the Country Representative and other SMT members updated and advised on different risks related to CRS programs and operations in Sudan and support the development, updating and maintenance of standard operational procedures (SOPs) and Contingency Plans to mitigate those risks. 
• Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Ensure compliance in operations functions. Provide oversight regarding monthly expenditures.
• Safety, Security and Health Management, take primary responsibility for overall management of safety, security and Health for the country program and oversee the management of issues, including appropriate response to emergency situations as they arise.
• Create and maintain a culture of safety and security awareness throughout the country program, including training and briefings that prepare all country program staff for security incident prevention and response.
• Maintain close coordination and communication with the Regional Safety and Security Advisor on safety and security concerns and evolving issues that could adversely affect CRS staff or operations.
• As needed, play an acting role to fille in gaps for Office Managers. 

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development, International Relations or a related field. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience managing high value relief and development programs. Preferably with an International or local NGO, with at least five in a senior management/leadership role with an international organization with strong knowledge of best practices and standards. Experience outside of Sudan with similar International NGOs will be a plus. 

Required Languages - English; Arabic strongly preferred

Travel – Within Sudan, with at least 50% travel to other field offices.

CRS is advertising specifically for Sudanese nationals with Sudanese passports, who are willing to work in remote field locations. CRS is offering a competitive and attractive package of benefits for this opportunity. The Head of State Offices position will be based in El Geneina, West Darfur, with extensive field travel.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Very good relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. 
• Team leadership abilities.
• Very good communications and presentation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience successfully managing high-value projects from multiple international donors, including USAID, FCDO, and WFP and other UN agencies; knowledge of relevant donor regulations.
• Experience with and demonstrated ability to analyze, interpret and advice on laws & regulations, policies, principles, concepts, and practices within Sudan.
• Proven experience in presenting, facilitating, coaching, and capacity building.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. 
• Ability to represent the agency at high levels.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships and working with Church partners a plus.

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

Supervisory Responsibilities: State Office Managers,  Health, Safety and Security Manager (HSSM)

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: CRS programming and operations staff

External: Partners, government representatives, local donor representatives

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 protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer