CRS Moldova is hiring DI Project Manager

Note: This position is contingent on donor approval.

Job Title:  DI Project Manager   

About CRS 

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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. In Moldova, CRS is implementing Changing the Way We Care^SM (CTWWC), a global initiative to promote safe, nurturing families for children from residential institutions and children at-risk of family separation.  This work involves coordination among a variety of government and non-government stakeholders at the national and regional levels to advance childcare reform and strengthen families. 

Background: Moldova has been reforming its childcare and protection system for more than fifteen years with remarkable achievements. This includes a strong legal and policy framework supporting family care and social services, strengthened and expanded alternative family-based care, and a reduction of children in institutional care from a peak of 17,000 in 2003 to approximately 500 children in 2024. In 2022, the Government of Moldova articulated its commitment to translating these legal provisions into practical implementation through the National Child Protection Program (2022-2026) and more recently the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (MoLSP) committed to reaching zero children in institutions. In early July 2024, a national workshop on the transformation of the remaining residential care facilities in Moldova was held, led by the MoLSP and attended by child protection teams from all regions of the country. The main outputs of this workshop were a draft National Plan for Deinstitutionalization of Children and Reorganization of Residential Institutions and regional transformation plans. The national and regional transformation plans were designed to achieve the transformation of the remaining residential care facilities in Moldova and the transition the remaining children into safe, nurturing family-based care. In close collaboration with other partners, CTWWC intends to remain the Government of Moldova’s technical partner in the implementation of the said national and regional plans.

Job Summary:  The DI Project Manager will be responsible for supporting the MoLSP in coordinating and managing the implementation of the National Plan for Deinstitutionalization of Children and Reorganization of Residential Institutions and regional transformation plans. This will include engaging regional social assistance agencies, local child protection departments, civil society partners and other relevant stakeholders in the achievement of the objectives of the National Plan for Deinstitutionalization of Children and Reorganization of Residential Institutions and regional transformation plans.

CRS is hiring for this position for two years.

Roles and Key Responsibilities: 

• Serve as the primary focal point for coordinating and managing the implementation of the National Plan for Deinstitutionalization of Children and Reorganization of Residential Institutions and regional transformation plans, working with the MoLSP team, Regional Social Assistance Agencies, non-government organizations, international organizations, and consultants supporting the transformation of residential care facilities in Moldova and the transition of the remaining children into safe and nurturing family-based care.
• Coordinate the effort of local consultants supporting the transformation activities, including evaluation and reorganization of the residential care facilities, reintegration of children into safe and nurturing family-based care, capacity building of local teams, and ensuring compliance with international and local standards on child wellbeing and safeguarding.
• Serve as the primary liaison with civil society and development partners supporting the coordination effort, ensuring efficient coordination and complementarity of technical assistance and other support in the transformation process.
• Represent and report on the work done to transform the remaining residential care facilities, including capacity building efforts with the local child protection specialists involved in the transformation efforts in various meetings, consultations, and working groups, as needed.
• Coordinate information-sharing about activities, progress, technical materials, and other communications in support of the National Plan for Deinstitutionalization of Children and Reorganization of Residential Institutions and regional transformation plans.
• Lead, as appropriate, in the preparation of periodic reports, policy guidelines, correspondence, presentations, case studies, and other documentation related to the implementation of the National Plan for Deinstitutionalization of Children and Reorganization of Residential Institutions and regional transformation plans and participation in national and international fora, as the opportunity arises.
• Ensure adequate participation and engagement of the regional social assistance agencies, child protection departments from Chisinau municipality and UTA Gagauzia, and care reform partners in regular coordination meetings and in the implementation and monitoring of the National Plan for Deinstitutionalization of Children and Reorganization of Residential Institutions and regional transformation plans.
• Establish and coordinate technical working groups and task forces, as relevant, aligned to the objectives and activities of the National Plan for Deinstitutionalization of Children and Reorganization of Residential Institutions and regional transformation plans consisting of diverse participants from government institutions, local public authorities, civil society, faith communities, and others.
• Assure that groups contributing to the National Plan for Deinstitutionalization of Children and Reorganization of Residential Institutions and regional transformation plans do so in accordance with minimum international standards for program quality and safeguarding.
• Promote the participation of People with Lived Experience (PWLE) in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the National Plan for Deinstitutionalization of Children and Reorganization of Residential Institutions and regional transformation plans.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in social work, Child protection, Law or other relevant social sciences
• At least ten years of programming experience, including significant team management in the field of social protection.
• At least five years of experience implementing internationally funded projects, preferably in care reform and transformation of residential care facilities.
• At least five years of experience working with international and national organizations and central government.
• Strong understanding of the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children, the UN CRC, CRPD, and commitment to family-based care.
• Experience in developing effective working relations including successful advocacy with a range of stakeholders from government agencies, international organizations, donors, academics and thought-leaders, and community-based and grass roots organizations.
• Excellent, planning and coordination skills with the ability to effectively organize a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal competencies, with experience leading a multi-cultural, multi-location values-driven team.
• Excellent analytical, monitoring and evaluation, and report writing skills
• Experience in, and commitment to, the implementation of robust performance management and team capacity building.

Required Languages – Fluency in Romanian required. Working proficiency in English required.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel to locations across Moldova. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Supervisory Responsibilities: No direct supervisory responsibilities, however, the position will work with a team of technical advisors to collectively carry-out the duties of the position.

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

• Trusting Relationships
• Professional Growth
• Partnership
• Accountability

Disclaimers: 

• 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; CRS is always looking for qualified, diverse and compelling candidates to join our agency and support our great work.
• By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics. 
• Please note that applications will be continuously reviewed, and CRS reserves the right to close the vacancy before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified.
• We thank all applicants for their interest, however only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

How to apply :

 Interested candidates are welcome to apply by sending their CV with email to crsapplicationsmd@crs.org mentioning in the subject line the title of the position “DI Project Manager”.