Advisor II, Project Management - (US Only)

NOTE: The above Pay Range only applies to applicants who perform the job within the US and to applicants classified by CRS as International Assignees.  Staff hired on local payroll would follow the respective Country pay range.  Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your anticipated work location during the candidate selection process.

Job Summary  

The Advisor, Project Management provides programmatic guidance, coordination, and implementation support to a portfolio of projects in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) principles, funder requirements, and established agency standards. The Advisor works closely with regional, country office, and project teams to support the effective application of project and award management processes, contributing to compliant, timely, and quality delivery of programs for the poor and vulnerable.

Roles and Key Responsibilities 

Project Support

• Collaborate with staff across finance, legal, risk and compliance, supply chain, HR, and program quality to support award compliance and smooth project implementation, ensuring alignment with established processes and requirements.
• Contribute to the development and support the application of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in project and award management, helping ensure consistent implementation across projects.
• Assist in managing communications with donors and stakeholders for assigned projects, including coordinating inputs, updates, and responses in collaboration with CO and regional teams.
• Provide practical guidance to regional and country teams on day-to-day project and award management processes, helping apply existing tools, templates, and procedures to support implementation.
• Strengthen the capacity of staff and partners in project and award management by supporting training, mentoring, and knowledge sharing initiatives.
• Support the preparation and consolidation of reports, deliverables, and required documentation to meet funder requirements, ensuring completeness and timeliness.
• Serve as a leader in project and award management, exercising sound judgement and developing innovative solutions to implementation challenges.
• Contribute to proposal development efforts by supporting coordination, documentation, and compliance checks, ensuring alignment with funder requirements and CRS processes.
• Assist in gathering inputs, organizing documentation, and facilitating reviews for proposals, due diligence, and award start-up requirements.
• Support award negotiation processes by preparing documentation, coordinating with relevant teams, and leading negotiations with the funder.

Proposal Development

• Contribute to proposal development efforts by supporting coordination, documentation, and compliance checks, ensuring alignment with funder requirements and CRS processes.
• Assist in gathering inputs, organizing documentation, and facilitating reviews for proposals, due diligence, and award start-up requirements.
• Support award negotiation processes by preparing documentation, coordinating with relevant teams, and leading negotiations with the funder.

Coordination

• Act as a key facilitator and connector across functions, helping teams navigate processes, access technical support, and address operational challenges, while escalating complex technical or strategic issues as needed.
• Coordinate closely with country and project teams to support day-to-day implementation needs, including tracking actions, facilitating communication, and resolving routine issues.
• Promote consistent use of established project and award management practices and tools across the assigned portfolio.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, International Affairs, Development or a related field.
• Minimum of eight years relevant international working experience with progressive responsibilities.
• Minimum of two years of experience traveling and working in low-resource settings. 
• Experience contributing to successful proposals for external funder funding.
• Four years of relevant experience in project management, project support, award management, compliance or similar fields.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Working knowledge of institutional funders, including funding cycles, compliance requirements, and reporting expectations, with ability to support alignment of project deliverables to funder standards.
• Knowledge of project and award management principles. A general understanding of related functional areas (e.g., finance, risk/compliance, supply chain) to support cross-functional coordination.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and familiarity with web conferencing tools, information systems, and knowledge-sharing platforms to support project coordination and reporting.
• Strong relationship management and coordination skills, with ability to work effectively across teams, partners, and diverse cultural contexts, and support engagement with funders and stakeholders.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and ability to identify issues, recommend solutions, and support decision-making within defined processes.
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal), including ability to support presentations, facilitate discussions, and contribute to trainings and capacity strengthening activities.
• Service-oriented, proactive approach, with ability to manage multiple priorities, follow through on tasks, and support teams in meeting deadlines and requirements.

Required Languages: English

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 25 % of job time. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, International Affairs, Development or a related field.
• Minimum of eight years relevant international working experience with progressive responsibilities.
• Minimum of two years of experience traveling and working in low-resource settings. 
• Experience contributing to successful proposals for external funder funding.
• Four years of relevant experience in project management, project support, award management, compliance or similar fields.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master's Degree in Business, International Affairs, Development or a related field.
• Experience working in an INGO.
• Competency in a language other than English.

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• 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.

WHAT WE OFFER

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.  Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.  CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

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

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

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.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.