Regional Operations Advisor III, East Africa Regional Office (EARO) – Catholic Relief Services (CRS) – 2024

Regional Operations Advisor III, East Africa Regional Office (EARO) – Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

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• Position: Regional Operations Advisor III
• Company: Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
• Location: Remote – Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda
• Type of Job: Full-Time
• Reporting to: Deputy Regional Director for Operations, EARO
• Application Deadline: November 30, 2024

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Introduction

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is seeking a Regional Operations Advisor III to join the East Africa Regional Office (EARO) team. This is a remote role with a priority for candidates residing in countries where CRS has an operational presence. Successful candidates must overlap with EARO working hours (8 AM to 5 PM East Africa Time) for at least four hours daily.

As the Regional Operations Advisor III, you will be a critical resource in enhancing operational efficiency and risk management for CRS across the East Africa region. This position offers an opportunity to engage with an internationally recognized humanitarian organization, develop innovative operational strategies, and make meaningful contributions to global development and relief efforts.

About CRS:
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic Church in the United States. Operating in over 100 countries, CRS delivers life-saving and transformative programs in emergency response, health, agriculture, education, peacebuilding, and more. CRS is committed to safeguarding human dignity and serving communities without regard to race, religion, or nationality.

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Key Responsibilities

As the Regional Operations Advisor III, you will drive efficiency and risk mitigation strategies across multiple countries and partner organizations. Below are the core responsibilities:

Risk Management and Mitigation

• Provide senior leadership in proactive risk management and mitigation strategies across the EARO region.
• Collaborate with audit, risk, and compliance teams to implement and strengthen internal control systems.
• Develop and maintain Risk Registers for continuous performance improvement and compliance.
• Oversee quality and timely fraud case management, ensuring alignment with donor reporting and corrective actions.

Audit and Compliance

• Plan and conduct internal audits, control reviews, and compliance assessments in collaboration with country program (CP) management.
• Analyze audit findings and provide actionable recommendations for process improvement.

Capacity Building

• Design and facilitate operations training sessions for CRS staff and partners to improve operational competencies.
• Contribute to institutional capacity strengthening plans to address operational gaps.

Program and Proposal Support

• Draft and review operational annexes for proposals, including risk mitigation, staffing, and management plans.
• Support the development of operational processes for large donor grants to ensure compliance.

Emergency and High-Risk Context Support

• Provide on-ground operational leadership in high-risk country contexts or emergency response situations.
• Act as the interim Head of Operations or other operational roles during critical periods.

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Qualifications and Skills

CRS seeks a dynamic and skilled professional who meets the following criteria:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. A Master’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Eight years of experience with international organizations, including three years in a Head of Operations or similar role.
• In-depth knowledge of donor rules and regulations, including USAID, World Bank, EU, DFID, and UN donors.

Preferred Skills

• Proficiency in tools such as PowerBI, Power Automate, and Power Apps.
• Experience in data analytics techniques and process performance improvement.
• Familiarity with audit standards, COSO’s Internal Control Framework, and The Institute of Internal Audit Standards.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Visio).

Key Competencies

• Relationship Management: Ability to build strong relationships with diverse teams and partners.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong organizational and systems-thinking capabilities.
• Ethical Conduct: Adherence to professional and organizational codes of ethics.
• Proactivity: Results-oriented with the ability to identify and address challenges promptly.

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Company Culture and Values

At CRS, we foster a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency. Our mission is grounded in serving vulnerable communities worldwide, and we uphold a commitment to safeguarding the dignity of children and vulnerable adults.

CRS thrives on innovation, agility, and a commitment to collaborative teamwork. As an employee, you’ll work in an environment that values diversity and the unique perspectives of all team members.

Core Values:

• Personal Accountability
• Integrity
• Building and Maintaining Trust
• Collaboration

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Travel Requirements

This position requires 25-50% travel to various countries in East Africa, including Ethiopia and Sudan. Candidates must be prepared to work in challenging and high-risk environments, often assuming operational leadership roles during critical assignments.

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How to Apply

Are you ready to make a difference? Apply now for the Regional Operations Advisor III role and join a mission-driven organization that’s changing lives globally.

To apply:

1. Submit your application through our official Careers Page.
2. Applications close on November 30, 2024, at 6:17 PM.

• TELEGRAM CHANNEL

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Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

CRS is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining talent from diverse backgrounds. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted