Job Description

CRS seeks a Chief of Party I for the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) Reaching Every At-risk Community and Household with Malaria Services (REACH Malaria) global project in Zimbabwe. REACH aims to provide implementation support services and technical assistance to countries to accelerate progress in comprehensive delivery of facility and community-based malaria services, including malaria case management, prevention of malaria in pregnancy (MiP), seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), community health, data collection and use for service delivery, and other malaria prevention interventions.

The Chief of Party I (CoP) will be responsible for coordinating and supporting implementation of all key project activities, with emphasis on high-quality outputs and compliance with USG requests. The CoP is also responsible for overall strategic development and oversight, project monitoring and evaluation, and general program management.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the project's primary liaison with USG Mission(s), international and regional partners, and host-country government officials, while serving as the point of contact with PATH, in coordination with CRS’ REACH Team Director.
• Coordinate implementation according to REACH contract expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget. Ensure coordination between program and operations leads. Ensure the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per CRS MEAL policy and procedures.
• Ensure proper financial management of PMI REACH Malaria activities in country, working with country office teams through analyzing financial data, monitoring project expenses against budgets, and forecasting, with support from the CRS PMI REACH Malaria Finance and Operations Officer.
• Collaborate with CRS REACH Project Lead and technical advisors and PATH PMI REACH Malaria technical advisors for technical inputs into project deliverables and activity plans.
• Effectively manage senior programming and operations talent. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of senior staff.
• Manage and mitigate risk through monitoring national and regional issues that may impact staff and programming. Ensure all staff understand and adhere to CRS staff safety and security policies and plans and ensure the updating of such plans.
• Promote, uphold, and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Ensure compliance with the sub-contract, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to PATH and USG. Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors.
• Coordinate country buy-in planning, review meetings, and relationships with consortium partner organizations, including organization of review/planning meetings to track progress of implementation of interventions. Contribute to coordination of the roles and activities of staff from other consortium member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles.
• Work closely with the relevant stakeholders, including Ministry of Health, universities, NGOs, civil society, and private sector partners in coordinating activity implementation.
• Develop and write technical documents, such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), tools, checklists, guidelines for training and capacity building of staff as needed.
• Document activities and field observations for program reports, support in the creation of presentations for updates and meetings.
• Oversee the development of communication strategies and materials, complying with any donor and REACH branding and marketing requirements and procedures.
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze, and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high-quality training and technical assistance.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree with at least eight (8) years of work experience in public health, international development, or related field.
• At least eight (8) years of experience managing multi-million-dollar health programs in developing countries, including experience and technical knowledge of malaria.
• At least five (5) years of experience as a Chief of Party of USG awards and contract with strong knowledge of and experience in effective budget management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage technical teams and multi-partner collaborative projects, with in-depth knowledge of developing country government systems and procedures for managing complex programs with multiple sites and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with stakeholders in the malaria services space, including malaria case management, community health, prevention of MiP, SMC, surveillance, data collection and use for service delivery.
• Recognized leader in malaria as demonstrated by peer reviewed publications, conference presentations, etc.
• Demonstrated experience of successful program management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships.
• Ability to represent and present to high-level USG and government officials.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• 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 with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching skills.
• Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Required Languages – Strong written and oral communication skills in English required.
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 25%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Project staff (specific positions to be determined)

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: CRS Zimbabwe Country and Regional Leadership and Operations, PMI REACH Malaria Team Lead, Senior Program Manager, and other PMI REACH Malaria staff, Senior Technical Advisor, Malaria, and other global technical advisors.

External: PMI REACH Malaria Consortium Partners, Department of State, PMI, Government of Zimbabwe (Ministry of Health, National Malaria Control Program), other malaria and health partners in Zimbabwe.
Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
· Personal Accountability – consistently takes responsibilities 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 principles.

How to Apply

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States of America to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as 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. Registered in Zimbabwe under PVO Act number 6/2002, CRS works with church and non-church organizations to assist the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality.

CRS is the Major Subcontractor of the USG-funded contract led by PATH for the project titled “PMI REACH Malaria (Reaching Every At-Risk Community & Household with Malaria Services).”

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

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.

Applicant Instructions: Please email a cover letter, and curriculum vitae which should include three references to: [email protected]. Please include the position you are applying for in the subject line.

The closing date for applications is Monday, 17th November 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

CRS does not charge application fees or processing fees to potential applicants or any fee throughout the recruitment process.

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 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.

By applying for this job, the candidate understands and acknowledges that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect. Further, s/he understands that if successful, s/he will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate the candidate’s behaviors related to safeguarding-related topics.