Job Title: Country Representative

Location: Dakar, Senegal

Reports to: WARO Regional Director

Department: Senegal

Salary Grade: 12

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.

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.

Catholic Relief Services has worked in Senegal for over 60 years. One of the first international NGOs to begin working in Senegal after it gained independence in 1960, CRS’ long-term presence has allowed us to respond effectively to changing conditions within the country. With two sub-offices in Tambacounda and Ziguinchor, and a main in Dakar, CRS Senegal also supports activities in its CRS program offices located in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau and assists partner organizations in Cape Verde. CRS supports poor and vulnerable populations from all four countries through its work which responds to natural disasters, food insecurity, social cohesion, youth employability, health systems strengthening, malaria elimination and primary education. With a strong focus on local partnership and capacity sharing, CRS and its partners implement projects that yield immediate results and that are sustainable for years to come.

Please Note: This position is vacant and we would like the person to start as soon as possible.

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 Senegal, 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.

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.

• Personal Accountability
• Open to Learn
• Collaborates with others
• Builds and maintains trust
• Acts with Integrity
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Leads Change

***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

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.