Job Title: Program Manager II- COVID-19 Emergency Response
Job Type: Short term, 6 months
Job Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Reports to: Head of Programming, Sierra Leone
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services 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.
CRS/ Sierra Leone and Program Background
Catholic Relief Service (CRS) launched its work in Sierra Leone in 1963 supporting relief and development operations in the country. CRS Sierra Leone has proudly maintained a strong reputation and relationship with partners and the communities we serve in the country implementing a multi-sector program portfolio. Today, the Country Program has a robust portfolio built around several major programs in Health, Agriculture, Nutrition, Education and Urban Resilience. CRS Sierra Leone has its main office in Freetown and northern region field office in Kabala. CRS has a long history of responding to emergencies in Sierra Leone dating to the time of the civil war. CRS responded to the Ebola outbreak as well the mudslides in 2017. CRS implemented the START Fund emergency response to flooding in Freetown between July and September 2019. With the outbreak of COVID-19 globally and in Sierra Leone, CRS is partnering with the Freetown City Council to implement an OFDA-funded grant in Freetown which is the epicenter of the epidemic in the country. Freetown Response to COVID-19 through OFDA Support wi ll be implemented for 6 months and will use a multi-sector approach to mitigate the impact of the outbreak on the population of the city.
Job Summary:
You will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the Sierra Leone and Liberia CP COVID-19 emergency response programming, particularly for large and complex projects, ensuring effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its COVID-19 emergency response programming. As this is a two-country project, you will ensure effective coordination for quality project delivery.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
* Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of all new and existing projects within the CPs COVID-19 emergency response programming throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
* Effectively manage talent for COVID-19 emergency response programming and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
* Lead the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in the area of COVID-19 emergency response programming and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
* Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP COVID-19 emergency response programming sector portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP COVID-19 emergency response programming strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals in COVID-19 emergency response programming per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
* Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in COVID-19 emergency response programming for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
* Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to emergency response programming and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
* Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficien t use and stewardship of project material sources.
* Ensure close collaboration with SMTs and support teams from both Sierra Leone and Liberia as needed to ensure effective budget management and M&E
Basic Qualifications
* Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations or in the field of emergency response programming required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
* Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in WASH and MPCA emergency response programming
* Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.
Required Languages – English required; Krio preferred
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 40%.
Preferred Qualifications
* Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
* Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
* Experience engaging with partner organizations
* MEAL skills and experience required.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Sierra Leone CP COVID-19 emergency staff as required, Oversight/ Liaison to Liberia CP emergency staff team
Key Working Relationships:
Internal Program Director – Urban Resilience, Emergency Response Program Manager, RAIN PM, RAIN Technical Advisor, Head of Programming, BD Specialist, MEAL Coordinator
External City Council, Caritas Sierra Leone, local and international NGOs, MOHS and other relevant line ministries
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
More Information
- Job City Freetown