About CRS
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

The earthquake of August 2021 severely impacted rural and urban communities in southwest Haiti. Shortly after the earthquake, tropical storm Grace hit the same region. CRS is currently implementing a rapid response and recovery programming to provide basic needs, shelter, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support, with a cross-cutting objective of supporting the wellbeing of the affected families and communities.

Job Summary:
You will manage, coordinate, and monitor shelter construction and rehabilitation activities and relationships with contractors and other project stakeholders to assist the achievement of the shelter project objectives advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your project management skills and knowledge of the program area will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of this project.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:
• Implement and oversee all shelter programming, including technical assessments, project development and design, tendering and contract administration, in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
o Implement technical assessment procedures for Shelter and prepare detailed cost estimates and unit prices for technical standards to support overall program decision-making.
o Oversee management of shelter construction service providers/subcontractors to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables.
o Implement program methods and operational plans in accordance with the agreed construction and rehabilitation strategy. Ensure that all construction activities are developed in coordination with other sector teams, as appropriate.
o Prepare appropriate design, construction and monitoring methods which draw upon the best practices of CRS; ensure that all CRS construction programs comply with relevant local, national and international standards and regulations, and reflect agency best practices.
o Ensure compliance with quality, safety, and environmental standards for all projects, in keeping with internationally agreed best practices or as otherwise outlined in agency guidelines.
• 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.
• Oversee the development and use of program documentation and tools, in accordance with agency best practices. Coordinate with the MEAL team for shelter activity monitoring and reporting.
• Assist in the development of project documentation, including project development tools, technical designs and cost plans, tender and contract documentation, project tracking tools, and program budgets.
• Participate in the procurement and logistics process for materials and equipment required by the shelter program.
• Liaise with key non-government organizations (NGOs) and national, provincial, and local government, task-force teams and workshops, technical committee meetings, and coordination groups as necessary.
• Prepare and assist in the preparation of concept papers, project documents and other material to develop or promote the shelter programming. This may include taking a supporting role in reviewing proposals and concept papers submitted by CRS’ partners and assisting them in building project proposal and implementing capacity.
• Prepare project reports as required by CRS, relevant Government coordination bodies, external donors, and other interested parties. Provide project documents, operation plans, program schedules and budgets as required by the Emergency Program Manager.
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities following MEAL Policy. Proactively identify issues, report them to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Engage and strengthen partnerships relevant to the RELEVE II project applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Represent the organization with donors, INGO working groups, UN, relevant local partners and relevant local government and community actors for shelter programming.
• Coordinate activities required for ensuring the financial, material and human resources for the quality implementation of the project. Conduct periodic budget reviews and follow-up with partners on timely submission of financial reports to facilitate proper tracking of resource use.
• Identify staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and contribute to capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
• Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and disseminate results. Review project documentation to ensure project file is complete with all required documentation and is filed per agency and donor requirements.

Basic Qualifications
• A Degree or similar professional qualification in an Engineering discipline including Architecture, Construction Management or a related technical field is mandatory.
• A minimum of five years design and/or construction experience, site supervision and contract management, plus a preferred minimum of two years’ experience in developing and implementing infrastructure or shelter infrastructure projects on behalf of development organizations.
• Strong knowledge in preparing technical bid package documents, bid evaluation, and construction contract documents.
• Experience in community development, community mobilization, or similar self-help initiatives, and a desire to maximize integration of program delivery, is preferred.
• Highly knowledgeable in appropriate construction administration systems and procedures, in particular control of works and financial management.
• Familiarity with current standards and guidelines for humanitarian emergency response, including the Sphere Handbook criteria.
• A proven track record in managing a large team of professional technical personnel.
• An awareness of local construction technologies and materials.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills. Ability to read, analyze and interpret administrative reports, technical procedures, or government regulations.
• Ability to write reports, and procedure manuals and effectively present information and respond to questions from CRS senior management.
• Full proficiency in CAD software (AutoCAD) as basic requirement, be proficient in MS Office applications. (Word, Excel, Outlook Access– and ideally MS Project)
• Self-reliance and an ability to work in a challenging and demanding environment, under supervision.
• Awareness, sensitivity and understanding of cross-cultural issues particularly in representing a US-based, Catholic agency.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

Preferred Qualifications
• Project management experience in shelter infrastructure construction, especially for USG awards and other public donors, is highly desirable.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations.
• Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.
• MEAL skills and experience preferred. Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems; GIS and image editing software
• Knowledge of humanitarian codes, principles and practice and experience in their use.


Required Languages – Creole and French required; English is a plus.

Travel - position is based in Les Cayes but will require significant time at project sites within the Grand Sud. Must be willing to travel up to 75%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Oversee the Shelter team on the Earthquake response project, including direct supervision of 4 or 5 shelter engineers

Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Emergency Coordinator; Emergency team; MEAL teams; Shelter Technical Advisor, Operations staff in the Grand Sud and Port-au-Prince; Business development specialist
External: Contractors for shelter repairs and construction, MTPTC, MENFP, Shelter cluster, government agencies and local authorities

Interested candidates should submit a resume along with a cover letter, diplomas, and certificates.

The application process involves the following steps:
o Fill out the form from the link provided:
o Send your application to the email address found in the form;
Any application that does not follow the above instructions will be rejected

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
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.
• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship


***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. 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 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' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

2023-10-15