Program Manager I – Emergency Response and Recovery (ESARO)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Program Manager I – Emergency Response and Recovery to join its Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) team based in Nairobi, Kenya. In this role, you will provide strategic management and technical oversight across the full project cycle for CRS's emergency response and recovery programming — with a particular focus on large-scale, complex humanitarian interventions across the region.

You will work at the intersection of program quality, partner coordination, and humanitarian innovation — collaborating closely with technical departments including WASH, Food Security, Cash Programming, and Shelter. Your work will directly strengthen CRS's readiness capacity, support country offices, and ensure that vulnerable populations across the region receive timely, dignified, and high-quality humanitarian assistance.

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of all emergency response and recovery projects from design through close-out, ensuring alignment with CRS quality principles, donor requirements, and international humanitarian standards.
• Lead talent management for emergency programs — including coaching, individual development planning, and performance management for direct reports.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity-strengthening activities for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and humanitarian impact.
• Support the development and rollout of hazard and risk mapping, response plans, MEAL readiness frameworks, and donor communication channels across target countries.
• Lead program learning initiatives — identifying opportunities for reflection, evidence generation, and knowledge documentation to continuously improve emergency response approaches.
• Apply CRS program standards and donor requirements consistently, ensuring compliance and accountability across all emergency interventions.
• Support rapid response efforts and lead readiness activities for CRS program offices and partners, promoting efficient and high-quality humanitarian response.
• Establish and strengthen program functions in partnership with program offices, local partners, and technical departments.

• Must be able to manage multiple complex humanitarian projects simultaneously, balancing competing priorities across different country contexts.
• Must demonstrate ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary teams, including coaching staff and managing performance in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Must be able to apply established humanitarian standards (Sphere, IASC, CHS) to program design and implementation decisions.
• Must be proficient in designing MEAL frameworks and applying adaptive management tools in emergency contexts.
• Must be capable of engaging confidently with donors, partners, and government stakeholders to communicate program outcomes and negotiate compliance requirements.
• Must hold a Bachelor's degree in International Development, Humanitarian Affairs, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Must have 1–2 years of relevant experience in emergency response programming, ideally with an INGO operating in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Experience working across technical sectors (WASH, Food Security, Shelter, Cash) in a humanitarian setting is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken) is required; knowledge of French or other regional languages is an added advantage.

CRS offers a competitive INGO compensation package benchmarked to the Kenyan humanitarian sector. Based on the seniority and scope of this role, the estimated monthly gross salary ranges from KES 200,000 to KES 320,000. CRS also provides a comprehensive benefits package that typically includes medical cover, pension contributions, and annual leave in line with organizational policy. Exact remuneration will be disclosed during the recruitment process.

Ideal candidates are early-career humanitarian professionals who have already gained meaningful field experience in emergency response and are ready to step into a management role with regional scope. You are a systems thinker, a strong communicator, and a genuine advocate for the rights and dignity of crisis-affected populations. You thrive in ambiguous environments, can pivot quickly when situations evolve, and are motivated by impact over routine.

Do not apply if you have no prior exposure to humanitarian programming, if you are seeking a purely desk-based administrative position, or if you are uncomfortable with occasional travel to complex or fragile operating environments across Eastern and Southern Africa.

• Visit the CRS official careers portal or the job platform where this posting was listed.
• Prepare and submit your updated CV and a tailored cover letter clearly addressing your experience in emergency response and recovery programming.
• Ensure your application is submitted on or before 4th July 2026 — late applications will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps in the recruitment process.
• Important: CRS does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Report any suspicious requests immediately.