International Programs Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Cross Catholic Outreach is a Catholic ministry with an ecumenical staff of Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox believers working in unity to provide food, water, housing, education, orphan support, medical care, micro-enterprise, and disaster relief, and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ to the poorest of the poor in more than 30 countries around the world. We believe strongly in unifying Christians in this mission of mercy, and we believe that creating a welcoming work environment for all Christian faiths is essential to achieving our ministry goals.

Best Christian Workplace Certified 2026

Position Title: International Programs Officer (IPO)

Department: Programs, International Programs

Reports to: Senior International Programs Director (SIPD)  

Position Location: Remote (Travel Required)

Position Type: Full-Time

Position Summary:

The International Programs Officer (IPO) monitors ongoing overseas programs in the Caribbean (Belize, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Haiti) to ascertain compliance with funding and other requirements.  In addition, the IPO serves as the primary point of contact within the Programs team for informational needs regarding the promotion of Integral Human Development initiatives of the various fundraising departments within Cross Catholic Outreach.

Educational or Certification Requirements:

·        B.A. in International Relations, Business Administration, Health, Education and/or related discipline; M.A. preferred.

·        Fluency in Spanish & French or Haitian Creole.

Experience Requirements:

·        Two or more years of experience living and working in relief/development program oversight or related field in developing countries.

Knowledge, Skills, & Character Required:

·        Believes in and supports the mission and ministry of Cross Catholic Outreach and agrees with the conduct policies and conduct expectations of Cross Catholic Outreach.

·        Is a consistent witness for Jesus Christ; maintains a courteous, Christ-like attitude in dealing with people within and outside of the ministry. Feels a calling to serve God through serving Cross Catholic Outreach in this capacity.

·        Possesses a servant leadership mindset and a passion for serving the Church and the poor.

·        Builds relationships through professionalism, integrity, responsiveness, and attentive follow-through. Exercises sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.

·        Is self-motivated and capable of working independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment.

·        Ability and willingness to work effectively in a difficult environment.

·        Foreign cultural awareness/sensitivity.

·        Strong program management, conceptualization, and strategic planning skills.

·        Budgeting experience.

·        Marketing/communications skills and experience.

·        Ability to effectively present information and respond appropriately to questions from donors, government officials, and other stakeholder organizations.

·        Highly detail-oriented with the ability to manage large volumes of data.

·        Experience with databases and strong working knowledge of Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

·        Experienced individual and/or group traveler, with knowledge of basic international travel requirements/guidelines.

·        This position may require occasional domestic and/or international travel to attend meetings, trainings, conferences, or organizational events. Travel may be conducted by airplane, automobile, bus, or other reasonable means. Travel frequency is expected to be limited and scheduled in advance when possible.  Total Travel does not exceed 40%.

Duties:

·       Monitors ongoing cash & material aid programs in the Caribbean countries.

·       Identifies and vets potential new partners.

·       Provides verbal and written reports on current program activities to the SIPD.

·       Makes management recommendations about partners.

·       Ensures that scope, schedule, or cost changes are identified and communicated accurately and on a timely basis to the SIPD.

·       Works closely with in-country partners and colleagues, International Programs Officers (IPOs), and the SIPD in tasks to ensure accurate and timely reporting.

·       Creates written status performance and program visit reports and updates to the President, Vice President for Missions, Communications, and other executive management as needed.

·       Presents Mission Report to staff on programs visited following a trip to the field.

·       Makes own travel and other logistical arrangements for trips to the field and as needed, for other potential travelers.

·       Prepares regional annual budgets and schedules monthly payments to ministries that receive support from CCO.  

·       Organizes and leads staff/consultant trips to visit overseas partners.

·       This role requires the ability to perform standard office functions, including prolonged sitting, standing, and computer use. Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving materials weighing up to 20 pounds may be required.

·       Other duties as assigned.

Cross Catholic Outreach is a 501c3 Catholic relief and development ministry that provides food, shelter, medical care, water, education, self-help programs, care for orphans, and emergency relief to the poorest of the poor around the world in the name of Christ.

We mobilize the global Catholic Church to transform the poor and their communities materially and spiritually for the glory of Jesus Christ. Cross Catholic Outreach’s priority is to help “the poorest of the poor.” Our efforts reach those suffering extreme poverty in countries throughout the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Projects include relief for earthquake, flood, and tsunami victims, care and education for orphans and other vulnerable children, housing for the homeless, medicines and health care for the indigent, food for families suffering extreme malnutrition, and clean water for communities that have none, as well as micro-enterprise programs and other long-term development efforts to break the cycle of poverty.

In every case, our method of outreach is the same: Cross Catholic locates needy Catholic-based ministries serving the poor and distributes material aid through their existing programs. In this way, we can supply meaningful help where it is needed most. In all our work we remain dedicated in our service to the Lord as good stewards of His resources in every challenge we seek to overcome. We partner with Dioceses all over the world.

Company Description

Cross Catholic Outreach is a 501c3 Catholic relief and development ministry that provides food, shelter, medical care, water, education, self-help programs, care for orphans, and emergency relief to the poorest of the poor around the world in the name of Christ. \r\n\r\nWe mobilize the global Catholic Church to transform the poor and their communities materially and spiritually for the glory of Jesus Christ. Cross Catholic Outreach’s priority is to help “the poorest of the poor.” Our efforts reach those suffering extreme poverty in countries throughout the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.\r\n\r\nProjects include relief for earthquake, flood, and tsunami victims, care and education for orphans and other vulnerable children, housing for the homeless, medicines and health care for the indigent, food for families suffering extreme malnutrition, and clean water for communities that have none, as well as micro-enterprise programs and other long-term development efforts to break the cycle of poverty.\r\n\r\nIn every case, our method of outreach is the same: Cross Catholic locates needy Catholic-based ministries serving the poor and distributes material aid through their existing programs. In this way, we can supply meaningful help where it is needed most. In all our work we remain dedicated in our service to the Lord as good stewards of His resources in every challenge we seek to overcome. We partner with Dioceses all over the world.