Deputy Head of Programming

Job Description

CRS JOB ADVERT – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL

WOMEN ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

CRS is recruiting for Position: X 1 – Deputy Head of Programming.

If you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below job descriptions, and follow the instructions to submit your application package. 

Job Title: Deputy Head of Programming

Department: Programs

Reports To:        Country Manager

Country:             Catholic Relief Services Sierra Leone

Duty Location: CRS Freetown

Job Summary: 

You will contribute to providing strategic direction and management of the Program office (PO) programming complementing the Head of Programming (HOP) efforts at ensuring the establishment and successful implementation of high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management and programming skills will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its programming. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Complement the Country Manager in providing strategic direction for the design of Program Office’s strategic frameworks and plans, including resource mobilization strategies to optimize the impact of programming interventions in line with regional and agency strategic priorities.
• Lead where appropriate and contribute to high-quality project design incorporating project management standards and MEAL methods, appropriate to scope, context and technical requirements of projects. Coordinate planning of activities for projects to ensure integration of program interventions and efficiency in implementation.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailored individual development plans, and complete performance assessment for direct reports.
• Contribute to creating and maintaining the proper conditions for learning. Help establish a safe environment for the sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to small deficiencies. Promote accountability, learning and knowledge management as part of the implementation of the MEAL policy.
• Coordinate with CP operations staff to ensure appropriate project budgeting and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Coordinate the identification, assessment and strengthening of appropriate partnerships and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Coordinate where needed in the business development cycle to ensure quality proposals per agency and donor standards. 
• Coordinate technical assistance and capacity strengthening for project teams and partners in project management standards and related MEAL, business development and operational activities. Help identify training opportunities, develop training curriculums, and deliver training.
• Collaborate closely with MEAL and Communications staff to produce quality visibility materials and learning events. Support PMs to establish systems to capture, document, and share learning within internal and external stakeholders, maintaining trust and open doors for increased resources. 
• Organize and coordinate regular program reporting and conduct reviews of content, ensuring on-time submission of high-quality reports responsive to CRS and donor standards.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in International Development, International Relations or relevant field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ work experience in a program management position with progressive responsibilities for an international NGO. 
• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, etc., preferably for projects funded by multiple public donors, including USAID.
• Experience with successful business development activities capturing public and/or private donor funding.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Experience working with Church partners is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent English writing skills.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Some experience and abilities in capacity strengthening – developing curricula and facilitating trainings.
• Experience using MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge sharing networks.
• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented

Required Languages: Strong written and oral communication skills in English required.

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 25%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Digital Platform Director, ALLRight Project Manager and Communications Manager.

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: Program Managers, Technical Advisors, Safeguarding Technical Advisor, Head of Operations, Finance Manager, Procurement Manager, Human Resources Manager, and Regional Technical advisors. 

External: Key coordination forums, donors, government ministries.

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

• Personal Accountability – consistently takes responsibilities for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity  – consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust  – shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team principles.

About Us

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. 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 safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, 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 committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct. 

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. 

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to safeguarding-related topics. 

Also send a copy of your application package to the desk Officers, Ministry of Employment and Social Security, New England and Extension Offices in Applicants’ Locations 

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

To apply, please send in your application, updated CV and a cover letter to the email below:

sl_recruitment@crs.org on the subject/heading: Deputy Head of Programming.

Closing Date for the receipt of application packages is Friday 27th March 2026, at 05:00 PM.