Project Director, CASCADE

The CRS agency strategy aspires to catalyze humanitarian and development outcomes at scale. To help institutionalize the capabilities and processes needed to catalyze scale, a foundation has awarded CRS the CASCADE (Catalyzing Scale through Evidence) project, which runs through 2030. CASCADE builds institutional and staff capacity for catalyzing scale across sectoral and geographic lines.  The Director will provide vision, direction and management of the CASCADE project. 

The Director’s strategic leadership and technical knowledge will support CRS in leveraging its deep programmatic experience to convene, accompany and collaborate with governments, private sector actors, donors, peers, and partners within systems to achieve humanitarian and development outcomes that are equitable, inclusive, and at the scale that is appropriate for the size of the problem. The Director will manage a small team and collaborate closely across CRS units in headquarters, regions and countries to strengthen scaling capabilities, institutionalize processes, directly support teams in their scaling efforts, develop resource materials, and identify and share learning.

• Lead all aspects of implementation of the CASCADE Project, including team management, engagement and collaboration with other CRS units, and contributions to thought leadership on catalyzing scale. Serve as the primary point of contact for CASCADE to the GHR Foundation as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders. 
• Facilitate and foster CRS efforts to catalyze change at scale by supporting scaling initiatives including in sectors supported by Strategic Change Platforms, and by supporting scale-sensitive programming that works with system actors with scale in mind. 
• Identify and develop opportunities within the CRS program and funding environment to incorporate scaling approaches and to position CRS as a catalytic actor among governments, civil society, and private sector.
• Lead the development and implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices related to catalyzing scale. Coordinate exchange and learning on scaling across CRS units.
• Work with communications, knowledge management and resource mobilization teams to document learning and develop resource and communications materials focused on CRS’ journey to catalyze scale. Support use of learning in catalytic programming and resource mobilization.
• Represent CRS’ scaling work at external conferences, communities of practice and other forums, presenting and publishing learning and results. Engage with external specialists to exchange learning, share CRS’ approaches and seek guidance for scaling efforts. 
• Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Ensure compliance with GHR Foundation grants, including financial tracking and oversight of budgets, finance, administration and reporting to the foundation. Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors. 
• Supervise CASCADE team members, fostering collaboration and providing coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments. As needed, oversee the development of staffing plans and recruitment.
• Create and maintain conditions conducive to learning. Foster a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and challenges and for identifying and responding quickly to problems. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for staff and ensure the design and delivery of high-quality technical assistance.
• Support the CASCADE Senior Advisor, Regions to collaborate with and support country and regional teams in incorporating catalytic approaches and scaling objectives into program design, resource mobilization, strategies and partnerships.
• Support the CASCADE Senior Technical Advisor, Adaptive Systems for Scale to develop and apply methods for designing, managing and measuring programs with scaling objectives.
• Support the CASCADE Advisor II, Professional Development to understand the processes, needs and priorities of regions and country programs and to enhance the scaling-related skills of CRS staff through professional development activities, learning and training strategies, guidance and curriculums, and mentoring and coaching.
• Support the CASCADE Advisor, KML to identify, document and share lessons, promising approaches, instructive failures, and other insights CRS’ and other actors’ efforts to catalyze humanitarian and development outcomes at scale. 
• Engage periodically with CRS executive leadership to update and discuss progress, learnings, and recommendations for the agency’s efforts to build capabilities and institutionalize approaches for catalyzing scale.   
• Convene representatives from various CRS departments to develop and advance aligned approaches related to scale. 
  • Bachelor’s degree in international development, development studies, or another relevant technical area. 
  • Experience applying the principles and concepts of influence and scaling, which may include evidence translation, advocacy, communication, partnership, or others. 
  • Experience with systems change, change management, accompanying teams and organizations in undertaking organizational change and institutionalizing new ways of working. 
  • Experience influencing governments and/or the private sector in international development/humanitarian contexts. 
  • Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. 
  • 8 or more years of relevant management and technical experience.
  • 7 years of experience managing donor funds, ideally including multi-country grants. 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.

    Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree preferred.

    Required Languages: English required. French or Spanish preferred

    Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 15%

    Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

  • Established leader in the development and humanitarian sector as demonstrated by past leadership positions, publications or other products. 
• Excellent strategic, analytical, systems thinking, political acumen, problem-solving skills, with sound judgement.

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.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.