Note: This position is contingent on anticipated funding.
Program Background:
This role supports the anticipated 5-year USAID People-to-People (P2P) Reconciliation Project in Somalia. The program aims to transform inter-communal conflict in Somalia’s conflict recovered areas of Middle and Lower Shabelle. P2P seeks to create opportunities for communities in conflict to build mutual understanding, trust, empathy, and resilient social ties by addressing divisions that may be rooted in group differences such as ethnicity, religion, status, gender, class, or political affiliation. This P2P project embraces a Developmental Evaluation (DE) approach to adaptive, agile, and responsive programming able to nimbly shift according to successes, challenges, and changes in the conflict context. DE ensures evidence generated from the activity informs decision-making and program adaptation in real tim e, by using evaluative thinking and feedback in continuous programmatic adaptations.

Job Summary:
As Chief of Party you will provide leadership and overall management and implementation responsibility for the project and be the primary point of contact for USAID. Your leadership, management and technical knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming and advance the position of CRS as a leading agency in the field of peacebuilding. As a senior leader you will lead the program’s Senior Management Team and especially work closely with an embedded developmental evaluator (DE) to continuous analyze, learn, reflect and adjust program activities/approaches to maintain a flexible and adaptive. You will maintain partnerships with key local and international stakeholders to ensure high quality implementation. You will also proactively manage security and mitigate security risks, while promoting a Developmental Evaluation approach to the overall project.
Required Languages – Fluency in English with excellent English writing skills. Somali an advantage.
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel within Somalia.
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; comfortable moving back and forth between details /specifics and the broader picture/ dynamics.
• Maintain a certain comfort with uncertainty and non-linear progress as well as the ability to seize on and leverage emergent good practices. Prioritizes the “plan, act, reflect loop” in technical interventions and project workplanning.
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship or facilitating inter/intra team relationships.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams, as well as coaching skills.
• Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
• Principle- and solution-driven, proactive and resourceful.

Preferred Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• At least 3 years experience working in security challenged environments, with security management experience.
• Experience with USAID funding mechanisms, regulations and policies, preferably on OTI or similar type programming.
• Demonstrated experience of successful program management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
• Ability to represent and present at high levels.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
• Significant experience on P2P, stabilization and adaptive conflict programming a plus.
• Experience with USAID funding mechanisms, regulations and policies.
• Demonstrated experience of successful program management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Project staff

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development, International Relations or a relevant technical area.
• 7 or more years’ relevant management and technical experience in countries similar to Somalia on peacebuilding, reconciliation, and conflict mitigation programs.
• 5 years’ experience managing donor funds, including multi country grants. Strong knowledge and experience in budget and risk management in complex operational contexts.
• 5 years of staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching senior program staff.

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. Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-e mployment medical examination. 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.**

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.