Deputy County Head of Office - Isiolo job at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Deadline: Expired

Reports to: County Head of Office, Isiolo

Length of Contract: Until 30th September 2026

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners, people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

CRS is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity, race or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners, including the Government, to implement its programs.

CRS opened operations in Kenya in 1965. For over 50 years, we have worked throughout the country to implement programs in agriculture, livelihoods, health and nutrition, water, sanitation, emergency relief and peace building. We have built deep relationships with the Government of Kenya and the Catholic Church through ongoing collaboration and support.

Background

CRS is leading the Nawiri Project, a consortium of international non-governmental organizations, local implementing partners and international/ national research institutions to implement a multi-year USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA). Our partner agencies include Isiolo and Marsabit county governments, Isiolo and Marsabit Caritas, JSI, Village Enterprise, Concern Worldwide, IBTCI, Tufts University and Kenyatta University. The overarching goal of this multi-sectoral activity is to sustainably reduce levels of Persistent Acute Malnutrition (PAM) in Marsabit and Isiolo Counties of Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). Following completion of Phase 1 (Oct. 2019 – Feb. 2022), the project is now in its implementation phase, focused on systems and institutional strengthening. An extension period means the project will now run until 2027, but with less presence over time as local actors including county governments increasingly take over.

Job Summary

The Deputy County Head of Office – Isiolo will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. The coordination and relationship management skills of the Deputy County Head of Office will ensure that Nawiri project applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

S/he will work closely with the County Head of Office, and in coordination with Technical Leads and Deputy Chief of Parties, to ensure strong and effective management systems are in place and program implementation is carried out with high quality and efficiency.

Job Responsibilities

Operation roles and responsibilities

Coordinate local project stakeholders and serve as the project liaison between Nawiri technical teams, county officials, local actors at sub county and ward level. Act as alternate PREG (Partnership for Resilience and Economic Growth) focal point for the project.
Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned project activities at sub county and ward level as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
Work with Head of office in coordination of logistics as per CRS policy and standards.
Build Capacity and support Nawiri LIP-Caritas in proper tracking of resources used for project activities through periodic activities/budget reviews and effective follow up to track the spending’s against the plans and ensure they are implemented within the budget frame in compliance with financial program requirements.
Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
Plan and coordinate with Head of office to establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies.
Serves as alternate security focal points to ensure implementation of project activities in a safe environment.
Supervise and conduct on boarding of new hires within the county and sub-county teams.
Work with all Nawiri Consortium Member staff in ensuring timely procurement process for goods, and services to support various project activities.
Approval of project expenses in line with CRS policy and as guided by CRS country approval matrix.
Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.

Programmatic Roles And Responsibilities

Ensure quality programmatic field level implementation through the county and subcounty teams’ sequence, layer and integrate (SLI) project activity implementations and coordinate periodic programmatic focused biweekly, monthly review, and planning session.
Coordinate project reporting and documentation to ensure it is undertaken as per agency and donor requirements.
Facilitate program team planning processes and quarterly reflection sessions to ensure learning and accountability accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle.
Undertake critical analysis of project outcomes and guide teams on key learnings to adopt for quality programming.
Proactively work hand in hand with Head of office in planning and executing field level visits by donors and/or other partners.
Contribute to enhanced networking and represent Nawiri at the lower administrative units: sub counties, wards, and community levels.
Provide program and operational support to project teams based on emerging needs.
Represent the Head of Office at County level and other external meetings as needed. decisions.

Personal Skills

Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
Team leadership abilities
Proactive, resourceful, solution-oriented, and results-oriented
Able to live in an environment where everyday comforts may not be readily available.
Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion including gender equality.

Required/Desired Foreign Language

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; ability to draft and edit reports.
Excellent verbal communication skills in Kiswahili.
Dialects local to Isiolo County a plus.

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Chief of Party Nawiri, Head of Programs, Head of Operations, Head of County Office, DCOP Operations/Programs-Nawiri, System Strengthening Specialist Isiolo, Nawiri Program team, and Nairobi based operations staff.

External: Local government officials, Local/international NGO offices, and UN agencies operating in the project area.

Qualifications

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education And Experience

Bachelor’s degree in development studies or related field.
Minimum of 5 years’ working experience in a non-profit, development, and/or humanitarian organization with progressive responsibilities.
Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
Experience working with projects funded by multiple donors, including USAID.
Experience in stakeholder management and establishing and strengthening community partnerships.
Knowledge of procurement and general office administrative/management issues
Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information management systems.
Experience working and or living in Isiolo County a plus.

Agency REDI Competencies (for All CRS Staff)

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

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.

Leadership and Management Competencies