The Country Representative (CR) is responsible for managing and advancing the mission and objectives of CRS within the country. S/he provides strategic leadership for staff, programs and partnerships. The CR is also responsible for advancing CRS' reputation and impact within the country and for monitoring and mitigating risks and liabilities.

Position Scope and Scale:

CRS has been operating in Zimbabwe for over 32 years and has long-standing relationships with Church, international and local partners, private sector, local and donor governments, and vulnerable communities throughout the country. The Zimbabwe country program implements projects in collaboration with 17 partner organizations in approximately 30 districts in the areas of health, OVC/youth, agricultural livelihoods, emergency response, WASH and peacebuilding. In recent years, CRS has partnered with a range of institutional donors including PEPFAR, USAID/BHA, USAID/CMM and a series of private and foundational donors.

Job Responsibilities:

Develop and Enhance Partnerships

• Manage and develop strategic partnerships with the Church in Zimbabwe; seek out opportunities to pursue and advance common and complementary interests
• Develop strategic alliances with national and international organizations and donors that leverage resources, reputation and expertise
• Ensure CRS partners are supported and developed in accordance with CRS partnership principles
• Seek and pursue opportunities to raise the profile of the work of CRS and its partners, as well as the needs and challenges of our beneficiaries

Manage and Support Staff

• Strategically recruit high potential staff that align with agency core values and will help advance CRS mission and mandate
• Create and model an empowering environment that recognizes and values staff contributions and efforts and promotes staff well-being
• Provide constructive feedback and career guidance through regular coaching and mentoring and the use of the CRS performance management system
• Identify and develop future leaders

Manage and Mitigate Risk

• Remain vigilant regarding national and regional issues that may impact country program and partners; regularly communicate with regional and HQ staff of possible risks or liabilities
• Ensure all staff understand and adhere to CRS staff safety and security policies and plans; adhere to CRS protection policies; ensure plans are continuously reviewed and updated
• Oversee the effective mitigation of emergency situations and proactive implementation of all emergency responses
• Ensure effective and compliant operations within finance, administration, information technology, and audit

Manage and Steward Resources

• Proactively monitor and manage all country program financial, administrative and human resources in compliance with donor and CRS requirements
• Ensure that CRS program quality standards are adhered to in accordance with the CRS Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) policies and procedures
• Provide oversight and analysis regarding monthly expenditures of CRS and partners
• Promote, uphold and model an unswerving commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources

Business Development

• Provide leadership and direction in the pursuit of strategic growth opportunities; actively engage in pre-positioning and capture planning
• Ensure that all projects and programs meet and exceed donor expectations and are designed and implemented for maximum impact and reach
• Ensure strong and visionary representation of CRS to key stakeholders, including the local Church, local partners, national and local government, United States government, international donors, and development organizations

Champion and Lead Strategy

• Champion the vison, mission and strategy of the agency, ensure staff and programs align with and further the agency strategy
• Lead the team in the design and implementation of long and medium-term strategic goals

Required/Desired Foreign Language

• English required, other languages such as Portuguese or French a plus

Travel Required

• Frequent travel required within the country

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Regional Director, Deputy Regional Directors for Program/ Management Quality, Regional Technical Advisors, Overseas Support Department, Program Innovation & Quality Assurance, Human Resources, Finance, Charitable Giving, Mission & Mobilization.

External: Government of Zimbabwe, national and local level officials from Catholic Church, US government, various United Nations organizations, other donor governments, implementing partner organizations, as well as key visitors from the USCCB and CRS partner organizations

Qualifications

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Master's degree in International Development or a relevant field
• 10 or more years' experience managing complex relief and development programs
• Demonstrated experience with USG resources; familiarity with USG regulations
• Experience managing a variety of complex, high-value projects from multiple international donors

Personal Skills

• Results driven; able to set and achieve ambitious goals and instill confidence
• Strong interpersonal skills; able to cultivate strong relationships while working with a wide range of individuals in and outside the agency
• Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences
• Proactive; willing and able to take on additional responsibility, challenge assumptions and facilitate change
• Discerning; able to maintain focus and provide good judgment amidst complexity and uncertainty
• Develops others; excellent listener who is able to coach and mentor
• Aligned; able to support and champion the mission, vision, and values of CRS
• Strategic and innovative thinker; able to formulate guiding questions, leverage resources and find creative solutions