Job Summary: 

The Safe and Dignified Programming Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the work of Safe and Dignified Programming within Caritas Internationalis (CI) and across the Confederation, as outlined in the Safe and Dignified Programming Framework. This role will provide technical support and training; manage and promote the package of tools and resources; and will lead on establishing and coordinate a new and unified CI working group on safe and dignified programming.

This position aims to ensure a smooth transition to the newly proposed safe and dignified programming working group, which comes at a pivotal time: the interagency Safe & Dignified Programming Working Group (SDWG) of three CI organisations (Catholic Relief Services, CAFOD, and Caritas Australia) is coming to an end and looking to handover this work; the CI Accountability, Protection Mainstreaming and RTE Working Group (CI APR) and other sectoral working groups are being reviewed and may take on a different format going forwards; and the work on Safeguarding continues to be a priority for the Confederation, an opportunity for strengthening this work at a programming level. The Safe and Dignified Programming Coordinator will ensure the momentum that has been built around safe and dignified programming – in part thanks to the contribution of these different working groups and initiatives – continues and that this work is consolidated, strengthened, and shared to support the wider Confederation.

This position will be seconded to Caritas Internationalis. The post will report to the Humanitarian Committee, and will sit within the CI Emergency Unit and be task-managed by the CI Director of Emergencies. Technical supervision will be managed by CRS’ Safe and Dignified Programming Team.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the design, advocate for, and ensure implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in Safe and Dignified Programming that effectively engage partners, donors, and governments. Ensure a cross-sectoral approach that integrates gender, accountability to affected people (including the Core Humanitarian Standards), and social inclusion.
• Provide technical solutions globally, for the CI confederation, for strategic planning and how to best apply and adapt program design and implementation standards, best practices, partnership principles, tools, and M&E in Safe and Dignified Programming.
• Contribute to the Confederation efforts to pre-position CI for strategic growth opportunities in Safe and Dignified Programming.
• Oversee and lead the delivery of capacity strengthening initiatives in Safe and Dignified Programming for staff and partners through the establishment of a CI Safe and Dignified Programming Working Group to build and sustain commitment to Safe and Dignified Programming across the Confederation and organizing and/or facilitating trainings, workshops and conferences; and mentoring and coaching staff in innovative approaches and tools.
• Contribute to the management, dissemination, and promotion of the Safe & Dignified Programming Framework and suite of resources across the Confederation through helping implement conditions for collective learning that ensure the capturing, documenting, and sharing of key successes, promising practices, lessons learned, and evidence-based implementation research, internally and externally.
• Represent the CI SDWG in targeted global forums to develop opportunities and better ensure collaboration and shared learning in Safe and Dignified Programmingto influence technical partner approaches, future funding opportunities, and policies. Manage communications and information sharing within the Working Group, with other working groups and with external audiences. Network with relevant organizations to increase the CI SDWG profile in Safe and Dignified Programming,influence in the global Protection Mainstreaming, AAP and PSEA community, and donor diversification.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Required Languages – Professional proficiency in English is required, French and/or Spanish is desirable.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 35%. Frequent travel to Rome and some overlap with the working hours of Rome (Central European Time) required.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: HRD, SDP Team members, members of the CI Safe & Dignified Programming Working Group; CI Safeguarding Senior Officer; CI Accountability, Protection Mainstreaming and RTE Working Group (CI APR); CI Safeguarding Working Group; CI Emergencies team; the Institutional Development Committee; the Humanitarian Committee; the Integral Human Development and Integral Ecology Committee; and the CI Confederation Development Unit.

External: Safeguarding Focal Points and Regional Coordinators of Caritas Regional Secretariats; Protection, Accountability, Safeguarding/PSEA, Programme Quality, and humanitarian staff of CI member organisations; institutional funding focal points of CI member organisations to pursue funding opportunities; and other key stakeholders and fora as appropriate.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in social work, international development, humanitarian response, SGBV, international law, or related field.
• Minimum of five years of work experience in protection and safe and dignified programming, or related field, including experience implementing programming in humanitarian or fragile contexts.
• Previous experience providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is required.
• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in Safe and Dignified Programming, including PSEA. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience in business development, project design and proposal development in Safe and Dignified Programming including technical writing.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation and training applying adult learning principles and practices, preferably in the area of protection mainstreaming / safe programming.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including applying data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.
• Direct experience in the application of/training in Safe and dignified programming approaches, as outlined in CI’s Safe and Dignified Programming Framework
• Understand the links between safeguarding and safe programming
• Understand the role of Caritas Internationalis and its Member Organizations.
• Ability to represent Caritas in high-level meetings with donors, local Church, research institutions, private sector, local government, and in policy, advocacy, and sector coordination spaces.
• Excellent facilitation, communication and writing skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative relationships across all levels of the Confederation
• Demonstrated ability to influence, coordinate and motivate people across multiple organizations to achieve a common goal
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals and groups in diverse geographical and cultural settings
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, providing clear goals and priorities and plans to achieve them
• Experience in supporting capacity strengthening, including through online and in-person trainings, webinars and accompaniment focused on Safe and Dignified Programming
• Experience developing programming resources and tools that are accessible and user-friendly for a diverse audience

 

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility 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 priorities.

What we offer

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

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 or global telecommuter, 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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements