Job Summary:

You will advise on operations and risk management at the regional, country program and partner levels. You will develop, analyze and implement systems, processes and controls that enhance agency operational efficiency and effectiveness across operational areas, including risk management, supply chain, partner operations, and field management. You will also be instrumental in regional and country-level capacity-building in identification, assessment and management of all categories of risks identified in external & internal Audit reports and Risk Assessments. Your knowledge and guidance will reduce risk to staff, to the effectiveness of our programming and to the people we serve through the application of the principles of stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Responsibilities

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide overall senior leadership to the EARO region in proactive risk management and mitigation.
• Collaborate with audit, risk, and compliance leads, and with regional and CP leadership, in implementing and strengthening internal control systems, developing and maintaining ongoing Risk Registers and continuous process performance improvement.
• In close coordination with the Ethics Unit and country programs, support overall quality and timeliness of EARO fraud case management through coaching country program staff, drafting and reviewing documents, and liaising with partners and Ethics Unit as required. Monitor fraud timelines and ensure timely donor reporting and corrective action plans.
• In collaboration with CP management, plan and perform internal audits, control reviews, fraud allegation reviews, and compliance assessments. Analyze results and provide recommendations.
• In collaboration with CP management, programming, and/or operation leads, design and facilitate relevant operations training sessions and contribute to relevant components of institutional capacity strengthening plans for CRS and partners.
• Contribute to proposal development through drafting and reviewing operational annexes including risk mitigation plans, staffing and management plans, security documentation, etc.
• Review, assist and support in developing operational processes for large grants following donor awards. Ensure full awareness of compliance requirements by the consortium members or partners right from the start of the award.
• As required, travel to high-risk country contexts (for example emergency response, new office or new program start up, staff turnover) to provide temporary direct management support and risk / compliance oversight across operational functions as acting Head of Operations or other operational leadership roles.

Required Languages – Strong verbal and written English.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel 25-50%, particularly to Ethiopia and Sudan, including regular periods as Acting Deputy Country Representative- Operations

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships: 

• Internal: Regional Finance team; country program operations, finance and compliance staff; HQ departments including Internal Audit, Risk and Compliance, and Ethics Unit 
• External: CRS partners and auditors

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong relationship management skills
• Strong analytical, organizational, and systems thinking skills
• Ability to make sound judgment
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s Degree in Accounting, Business Administration or other relevant field preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years work experience with an international organization, with progressive responsibility in operations and risk management. Of this, minimum 3 years country program experience as Head of Operations or similar roles
• Knowledge of donor rules and regulations, including USAID, World Bank, EU, DFID, and UN donors.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using PowerBI, Power Automate, Power Apps, or similar tools
• Knowledge of data analytics techniques and process performance improvement leading practices
• Knowledge of audit standards and compliance regulations; knowledge of COSO’s Internal Control Framework or The Institute of Internal Audit’s International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing
• Knowledge of accounting systems
• Coaching and training abilities.
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and information management systems.