Catholic Relief Services International Development Fellows Program (Fully-funded)

Are you passionate about international development and ready to embark on a transformative journey? Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States, invites you to explore the International Development Fellow Program (IDFP) – Global Placements.

About CRS

CRS is committed to saving, protecting, and transforming lives in over 100 countries, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. Through various programs encompassing emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding, CRS aims to make a positive impact on communities worldwide.

Job Summary

The International Development Fellow Program is tailored for individuals dedicated to a career in international development, with a particular focus on program management or operations. As a fellow, you’ll undergo comprehensive practical training covering a wide range of crucial areas, including project management, project design and proposal development, partnership and capacity sharing, monitoring and evaluation, budget and resource management, supply chain and logistics, human resources, and security protocols. Successful completion of the fellowship often leads to roles within CRS.

Each fellow will be stationed within one of CRS’ country programs for a 12-month period. To ensure a thorough understanding of the fellowship, its objectives, structure, benefits, and application requirements, please visit the IDFP website before applying.

Responsibilities

Under the guidance of experienced staff members, fellows will contribute to programming and operations in the following areas:

Project Management

• Support the implementation of ongoing projects, including activity planning with CRS staff and partners, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning activities.
• Assist in producing timely and accurate reports and documenting lessons learned.
• Contribute to effective management of financial resources, including budget analysis, cash forecasting, financial reporting, and commodity management.
• Act as acting project manager, when appropriate.

Project Design and Proposal Development

• Support research and analysis to inform new project design, including data collection/assessments, problem identification, stakeholder analysis, gender analysis, gap analysis, and theory of change development.
• Collaborate with CRS staff and partners to develop proposals, including facilitating design workshops and handling technical and cost applications.

Partnership & Capacity Sharing

• Collaborate with CRS partners to support activity planning and implementation, project design, proposal development, and monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning.
• Contribute to partnership strengthening and capacity sharing, including participation in partnership reflection workshops and learning events.

Operations

• Support procurement processes, such as bid analysis and vendor selection, contracting, and the receipt and warehousing of goods.
• Play a role in staff recruitment by drafting job descriptions, reviewing applications, and participating in interview panels.
• Assist in reviewing security protocols and manuals.
• Contribute to supply chain management by assessing systems for delivery, storage, and distribution of goods, assisting with inventory counts, data collection, analysis, and verification.
• Support financial management by analyzing budgets/spending and reviewing supporting documentation for financial transactions.
• Assist with risk management and compliance, including reviewing internal controls, systems for fraud prevention, CRS & donor guidelines, and the implementation of safeguarding policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Graduate degree (Master’s level or higher) in a relevant field (e.g., Sustainable Development, Global Affairs, Development Economics, Public Administration, Agriculture, Health, Business, Supply Chain).
• At least six months of work or volunteer experience in a developing country.
• Must be willing and able to work in locations with tropical and infectious diseases and limited access to medical facilities.

Required Languages

• Fluency in English with strong oral and written communication skills.
• Professional proficiency in a second language is preferred, with a preference given to major languages where CRS operates (e.g., French, Arabic).

Travel

• Must be willing and able to travel within the country of assignment for 10 – 25% of the time.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong relationship management skills, able to work effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds, both in person and virtually.
• Effective communicator, capable of crafting tailored and persuasive messages for varied audiences in virtual work settings.
• Proactive and willing to take on additional responsibility, challenge assumptions, and facilitate change.
• Results-driven, capable of setting and achieving ambitious goals while instilling confidence.
• Strategic thinker, able to formulate guiding questions, leverage resources, and find creative solutions.
• Discerning, able to maintain focus and provide good judgment amid complexity and uncertainty.
• Ability to develop others, including listening, coaching, and mentoring.
• Agile and effective in a stressful, fast-changing environment where security conditions may change unexpectedly.
• Alignment with CRS’ mission, vision, and values.
• Motivated and interested in a career in development and/or emergency relief.
• Flexible and willing to work in developing countries worldwide.

Agency-wide Respect, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) Competencies

Based on the mission, values, and guiding principles of the agency, CRS REDI competencies are to be exemplified by all staff in fulfillment of their respective roles and responsibilities:

• Personal Accountability
• Acts with Integrity
• Builds and Maintains Trust
• Collaborates with Others
• Open to Learn
• Strategic Mindset
• Develops and Recognizes Others
• Leads Change

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships Internal: CRS Country Representative, Head of Programming, Head of Operations, Program Managers, Operations staff, Talent Pipeline Team in Global People Resources.

External: CRS partner organizations, local bilateral and multilateral institutions, host government, donor agencies, local/international NGO offices.

Our Catholic Identity

Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. CRS carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

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

If, due to a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please e-mail: recruitmentsupport@crs.org.

APPLY NOW

Job Identification: 3000897 Job Category: Cross-Functional Posting Date: 09/20/2023, 09:01 PM Job Schedule: Full time Job Shift: Day Locations: 228 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD, 21201, US (On-site)