Program Manager II – El Niño Preparedness (South America)

About the role

The Program Manager II will lead time‑bound program management, technical support, accompaniment and training for EMPOWER partners across South America, strengthening El Niño preparedness and readiness for rapid, partner‑led emergency response.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the El Niño preparedness process across priority countries, coordinating with partners, country program teams, RAPID counterparts, technical advisors, MEAL and supply‑chain colleagues.
• Develop and maintain an integrated workplan and deliverable calendar linking program, MEAL, cash‑voucher assistance, supply‑chain, finance, safeguarding and operational readiness activities.
• Coordinate hazard, vulnerability, exposure and scenario analyses to identify hotspots, population groups, likely needs and preparedness triggers.
• Map stakeholders and services with partners, including government authorities, Caritas structures, humanitarian coordination bodies and community actors.
• Support partners in updating contingency plans, response strategies, sector options, targeting approaches and scalable response scenarios.
• Define minimum program quality standards, intervention packages, eligibility criteria, transfer values and referral pathways with sector technical leads.
• Validate proposed relief modalities and logistics arrangements in collaboration with the Supply Chain Management Technical Advisor II.

Required profile

• Residency in a country where Catholic Relief Services has an office, preferably in the LACRO region or the United States.
• Ability to work remotely and coordinate across multiple countries and partners.

Required skills