Sr. Program Manager

Job Description

CRS JOB ADVERT – NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

WOMEN ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

CRS is recruiting for Position: X 1 – Director/ Senior Program Manager.

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: Sr. Program Manager

Department: Programs/Urban Resilience

Reports To:      Country Manager 

Country:           Catholic Relief Services Sierra Leone

Duty Location: CRS Freetown

Job Summary: 

The Homes and Community Platform aims to support communities to achieve safe, resilient, and dignified housing and settlement solutions by convening stakeholders, empowering local leadership, and centering community engagement using digital visualization and coordination platforms. Leveraging CRS’s trusted partnerships, technical expertise, and systems-based approaches, the platform advances scalable, sustainable solutions that align with government priorities while remaining rooted in community needs

As the Homes & Community Platform Coordinator you will provide overall leadership to the H&C program team and be responsible for the overall management of the project including the quality of programmatic implementation (including monitoring, evaluation and learning) and administrative elements of the project to serve the poor and vulnerable. You are responsible for ensuring that project results are achieved on time and on budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability, and that the budget is consumed as planned. As a senior leader, you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks. 

This position will be a one-year international assignment, based in Sierra Leone with an expected level of effort of 70% to the development of the Platform in Sierra Leone. This position will also support the rollout of a H&C platform in the Gambia and provide technical guidance to other country led H&C platforms. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, implementation and consolidation of the Sierra Leone Homes and Community Platform project. Provide oversight into all aspects of program quality, program management, representation, and human resources. Serve as the primary point of contact to the Government of Sierra Leone and as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders 
• Ensure strategic objectives and results are accomplished and meet technical quality standards through annual and quarterly activity planning and budget forecasts. Lead quarterly technical review of implementation plans.
• Effectively manage and supervise talent. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and recruitment process of senior staff
• Coordinate with the H&C Global Learning Advisor and Sierra Leone MEAL team to oversee the design and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation system, using appropriate forms, procedures, and tools for data collection and analysis as the basis for measuring, documenting and reporting outcomes. 
• Manage and mitigate risk. Ensure compliance with the grants including oversight of partner budgets, finance and administration, and reporting to donors.
• Coordinate relationships with consortium partner organizations. Contribute to coordination of roles and activities of staff from consortium member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles.
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high-quality training and technical assistance.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, International Relations or a related field.  
• Minimum 8 years of experience managing large scale development grants, preferably focusing on urban planning, emergency recovery, and coordination.
• Minimum 3 years of supervisory experience, including performance evaluation, coaching and mentoring. 
• Experience in supporting programs and projects evaluations, reviews and research. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree Architecture, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, or a related field. Bachelor’s degree in architecture, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, or a related field. 
• Knowledge of CRS Partnership strategy and Partner management experience is an advantage.
• Experience managing large scale development grants, preferably focusing on infrastructure, housing, urban planning, emergency recovery, and coordination.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven track record of successful funded program management, including management of multi-activity projects, complicated logistics and large budgets, as well as commodities.
• Proven leadership and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams
• Proven experience in building and maintaining institutional linkages 
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Excellent knowledge and experience in budget management and project management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Publisher, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.
• Ability to work to meet deadlines in multiple tasking environments
• Excellent organization, planning and analytical skills; detail oriented
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated strength in relationship management 

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

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: Collaborate closely with the Sierra Leone Country Manager (CM), Head of Programming (HoP), Head of Operations (HoOps), and relevant program managers and staff. Provide technical support to leadership and program teams in The Gambia and other country programs as needed. Work in coordination with HRD’s Homes & Communities Global Team, the Shelter and Settlements Team, and colleagues from other technical sectors to ensure integrated and effective program support.

 External: Relevant Government departments, partners, vendors, donors, Church and civil society partners.  

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. 

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, a cover letter, and all other academic credentials to the email below:

sl_recruitment@crs.org on the subject/heading: Senior Program Manager.

Closing Date for the receipt of application packages is Saturday 10th November 2026.