Global Project Director, Farmer to Farmer

As the global Project Director (PD) you will provide vision, leadership and overall management of CRS’ Farmer to Farmer (F2F) Leader with Associates award currently being implemented in Benin, Ethiopia, Nepal, Rwanda, Timor Leste, and Uganda. The USAID funded F2F program facilitates delivery of a broad range of U.S. agricultural expertise, using U.S. volunteers who work with farmers, agricultural support systems and agribusinesses in developing countries. Volunteers’ work helps improve the quality of the agricultural sector workforce through training and advisory services provided to a wide range of agriculture sector actors. 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 agriculture. As a senior leader you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.
**Roles and Key Responsibilities:
? Lead all aspects of the development, implementation and consolidation of the F2F project, including sharing how the project contributes to the thought leadership of the industry. Serve as the primary point of contact to USAID as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders.
Lead the positioning of CRS to access additional funding to expand this program through buy-ins and Associate awards; provide technical support to resulting project awards as appropriate (approximately 5% LOE).
? Ensure the project is designed and implemented to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability. Ensure coordination between program and operations leads in HQ and country programs. Ensure the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures.
? Effectively manage senior programming and operations talent. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of senior staff.
? 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 risk mitigation plans are updated.
? Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Ensure compliance with USAID grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to USAID. Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors.
? Oversee the development of communication strategies and materials, complying with donor and CRS’ branding and market ing requirements and procedures.
? Coordinate relationships with new host organizations, in line with CRS partnership principles.
? 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. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for staff and ensure the design and delivery of high quality training and technical assistance. Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a subject relevant to international agricultural development (technical agriculture, business administration, international development, economics, rural sociology, etc.)
• 7 or more years’ relevant management and technical experience in international development. Experience with the US agricultural sector; experience with agriculture and rural development.
• 5 years’ experience managing donor funds, including multi country grants. Strong knowledge and experience in budget management.
• 5 years of staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching and mentoring senior program staff.

Required Languages* – Fluency in spoken and written English. Proficiency in a relevant second language is a plus.
*Travel:* Up to 20%, conditions permitting.
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Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience of successful program management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics.
• Experience successfully leading a culturally diverse and geographically dispersed team.
• 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.

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: Direct supervision of four HQ core team members
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Farmer to Farmer team, Global Grants team, Ag/Livelihoods staff, business development specialists, other HQ department staff, and country program leadership.
External: USAID representatives in Washington, DC and country missions, Farmer to Farmer community of practice, volunteers, and host organizations.
*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 vulnera ble 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.**

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.

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