CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES/LESOTHO
Job Announcement
Job Tittle: Project Manager – Coalition Building Project
Department: Programs
Reports To: Program Quality Manager
Location: Maseru, Lesotho
Grade: 9
CRS Background
Catholic Relief Services (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 and nutrition, WASH, agriculture and food security, livelihoods, education, microfinance, peacebuilding and Integrated Catchment Management (ICM).
Job Summary
The Project Manager will lead the Coalition Building Project. This role provides strategic leadership and technical oversight to ensure coordinated delivery across four pillars: natural resource management, livelihood promotion, social empowerment, and financial inclusion. The Project Manager will guide a multi-disciplinary team, foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders, and oversee planning, budgeting, reporting, and adaptive management. Additionally, the role ensures alignment with the ROLL Theory of Change and Graduation Model, driving high-quality programming and advancing CRS’s mission to serve the poor and vulnerable in Lesotho.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Coalition Building Project, ensuring coordinated delivery across different project components in alignment with the Graduation Model and Theory of Change.
- Guide and supervise a team of thematic experts responsible for implementation in areas such as Natural Resource Management, Financial Literacy, MEAL, Social Cohesion, and Agriculture & Livelihoods.
- Oversee project planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting throughout the project cycle—start-up, implementation, and close-out—ensuring compliance with donor and CRS standards.
- Manage team performance through coaching, mentoring, and recruitment support, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented environment.
- Coordinate development and implementation of landscape development plans and community-based interventions through technical teams.
- Support learning and accountability by overseeing evaluation activities and applying adaptive management based on MEAL findings.
- Maintain strong partnerships with government ministries, traditional leaders, community councils, development partners, and local organizations.
- Serve as the primary liaison with the Ministry of Forestry, Range and Soil Conservation, consortium partners, and other stakeholders.
- Represent the project in donor forums, UN and INGO working groups, and with relevant stakeholders at national and community levels.
- Ensure efficient use of financial, material, and human resources for quality project implementation, including budget reviews and partner financial reporting.
- Identify capacity-building needs for staff and partners and coordinate technical assistance to support quality delivery.
- Promote knowledge sharing, and innovation across project components.
- Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies to ensure compliance and accountability.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Development Studies, Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5–8 years of experience in project management, preferably in multi-sector development programs.
- Proven experience in grant management, compliance, and donor reporting.
- Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge
- Broad understanding of development programming and donor compliance.
- Familiarity with governance, partnership frameworks, and sustainability principles.
Skills
- Strategic leadership and team management.
- Stakeholder engagement and negotiation, including conflict resolution.
- Budget oversight, reporting, and donor communication.
- Problem-solving and decision-making under pressure.
Abilities
- Coordinate multi-sectoral technical teams effectively.
- Translate strategies into actionable plans for community-level impact.
- Navigate dynamic contexts and manage relationships with multiple stakeholders.
- Maintain focus on sustainability, transparency, and results.
Additional Competencies
- Staff supervision and capacity building.
- Skilled in partnership development and representation at high-level forums.
- Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Proactive, results-oriented, and service-driven with attention to detail.
Travel: include percentage of required travel, if applicable. Could be stated as Must be willing and able to travel up to 35 %.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes
Languages:
- Excellent written and spoken Sesotho and English
Submission
Please note that the position is only open to applicants who are Citizens of Lesotho. Interested Basotho candidates should submit their CVS, certified copies of educational certificates, ID copy, cover letterindicating salary expectations all as one document, no later than 23th January 2026 at 10:00am by email to [email protected] with the subject line COALITION BUILDING PROJECT MANAGER. If the subject line does not indicate the position, the applicant will not be considered. HARD COPY APPLICATIONS NOT ACCEPTED. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.
Please be advised that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, all successful candidates will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and their personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate their behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer