Chief of Party I, Markets and Nutrition 109 views0 applications

Job Title: Chief of Party I, Markets and Nutrition

Job Location: Burkina Faso

Reports To: Head of Programming

Note: This position is contingent upon donor funding and approval

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.

Job Summary:

The Chief of Party will provide the vision and overall leadership to the Markets and Nutrition (M&N) project team. S/he will be responsible for overseeing the overall management of the project including the quality of programmatic implementation (including monitoring, evaluation and learning) and administrative elements of the project, including the coordination of all consortium partners, and monitoring the budget. S/he will also serve as the primary point of contact to USAID as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders. He/she is responsible for ensuring compliance with USAID grants including oversight of partner budgets, finance and administration, and reporting to USAID, with review from the Region. The Chief of Party is responsible for ensuring that project results are achieved on time and on budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability; and that the budget is consumed as planned.

The Chief of Party will be a senior leader from the Markets and Nutrition development sectors responsible for leading all aspects of the revision, implementation and consolidation of the M&N project, including ensuring that the project contributes to the thought leadership of the industry and positions CRS as a leading agency in the Markets and Nutrition field. The Chief of Party is also responsible for leveraging this position for future growth within this sector for the Country Program (CP) and overall agency.

The candidate will operate within the organizational structure of CRS while coordinating the roles and activities of staff from other consortium member organizations in the implementation of the program interventions. The successful candidate will also be responsible for representing the M&N project, to major stakeholders, including USAID and relevant Ministries.

Job Responsibilities:

Program Quality

1. Lead the revision and implementation of M&N project with an innovative program lens, designing pilot solutions to existing development issues.
2. With key program staff and stakeholders, ensure the project’s strategic objectives and results are fully accomplished and meet expected technical quality standards through annual and quarterly activity planning and budget forecasts.
3. Ensure that vision and plans for the project are innovative and are in-line with CRS agency and country program strategies.
4. Lead quarterly technical review of implementation plans for the project and ensure appropriate actions are taken to meet implementation timelines and commitments.
5. In collaboration with program staff, provide guidance and technical oversight to partners and other collaborating agencies to ensure that best practices and lessons learned are documented and disseminated.
6. Coordinate with M&E department to oversee the design and implementation of the program’s monitoring and evaluation system, using appropriate forms, procedures, and tools for data collection and analysis as the basis for measuring, documenting and reporting of project performance and outcomes.
7. Ensure that M&E lessons learned from results of program monitoring and evaluation are incorporated into the design and execution of program activities to meet stated objectives and needs of the beneficiary populations.
8. Integrate project interventions with other CRS programs as appropriate through linkages with other service providers.
9. Ensure that processes are anchored in CRS’s project management Compass guidance, ProPack methodologies, Integral Human Development (IHD), a Justice view, Gender perspective, and CRS Partnership principles.

Management

1. Ensure staff compliance with all CRS administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations.
2. Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors.
3. Carry out quarterly financial tracking and reporting system, review the budget comparison report to ensure that spending and project implementation is aligned while analyzing the progress toward goals and against planned spending rates.
4. Proactively identify and address financial issues and concerns with other staff and partners to ensure adherence to financial guidelines and maintain transparent systems and records.
5. Ensure accurate and timely reporting of program finances and progress status, review actual financial performance against the budget and take corrective action to ensure that program expenses match the execution of activity plans and accurate effort reporting.

Representation and Communication

1. Seek out opportunities to represent CRS programming in international circles and highlight the innovative work under M&N project.
2. Publish on program results.
3. In collaboration with CRS supervisor, act as primary program contact to donor and other local and international stakeholders, and be responsible for addressing all program matters.
4. Represent CRS at external meetings with international and domestic stakeholders.
5. In specific instances, prepare and deliver presentations of the project ongoing activities, challenges/opportunities, and results achieved.
6. Strengthen linkages with existing and potential partner agencies.
7. Oversee the development and implementation of program communication strategies and materials, including compliance with donor’s branding and marketing requirements as well as CRS marketing and communication procedures.
8. Collaborate effectively and regularly with regional/HQ management and technical advisors, especially with regards to sharing and reviewing important communication with DONOR

Human Resources

1. Manage recruitment portfolio for the project, in collaboration with Human Resources Department and CRS country program management, orient, and support the professional development of supervisees, providing timely, respectful feedback.
2. Conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with CRS’ performance management system and mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork.
3. Supervise and coach a team of CRS and consortium staff to meet program objectives.
4. Oversee the management of the relationship with partner organizations, ensure regular communication and organization of review/planning workshops.
5. With program staff, lead the identification of performance gaps and training needs of CRS and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high-quality training, technical assistance, and administrative and financial support to all partner agencies, including the selection and coordination of consultants.
6. Create dynamic environment, ensuring that project team members are engaged, motivated, and enjoy a safe working environment with mutual respect between staff members of different gender, age, ethnic group, and religion.
7. Ensure fair, transparent communication so that all staff at all levels benefit from a proper level of information on project activities, results, and challenges.

Scope: Supervises the project team members and will work closely with others in the Burkina Faso Country Program.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience: Chief of Party I:

• Master Degree in relevant technical area, 7-10 years’ experience and 5 years managing donor funds, demonstrated expertise in sector
• Recognized leader in Markets and Nutrition sectors
• Proven track record of successful program management, including management of multi-activity projects, complicated logistics and large budgets
• Proven track record of resource acquisition
• At least 5 years of supervisory experience, including performance evaluation, coaching and mentoring
• Knowledge of CRS Partnership strategy and Partner management experience an advantage
• Prior experience managing multi country grants
• Excellent report-writing skills
• Excellent knowledge and experience in budget management and project management
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Publisher, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook

Personal Skills

• Proven leadership, and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams
• Proven experience in building and maintaining institutional linkages
• Ability to work to meet deadlines in multiple tasking environments
• Excellent organization, planning and analytical skills; detail oriented
• Ability to think critically, effectively manage change and problem solve
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills, with demonstrated strength in relationship management
• Ability to be flexible, persistent, and diplomatic and to gain respect among staff, local community leaders, church and secular partners, as well as local government ministries and donor organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a multi- cultural team, but be self-motivated and accountable for program implementation and work independently if needed.

Required/Desired Foreign Language

Native fluency in English & excellent English writing skills especially with the ability to produce quality written reports for the donor in English on a timely basis. French language skills also required.

Travel Required

Ability to travel nationally to support teams at the field level, and internationally as required, up to 30% of the time Working Relationships

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: Deputy Project Director,Director of Operations, MEAL Coordinator

Internal: Country Representative, Head of Programs, Resource Management Coordinator, Deputy Regional Director, Regional Technical Advisors, HQ specialists (in PIQA & IDEA)
External: All project partners, Government officials, public and private sector stakeholders, donors, industry experts, local/international NGOs, and local and international Catholic agencies.

This position will report to the CRS Burkina Faso Head of Programs. Competencies

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

* Integrity

* Continuous Improvement & Innovation

* Builds Relationships

* Develops Talent

* Strategic Mindset

* Accountability & Stewardship

What we offer

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

****Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.*

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

EOE/M/F/D/V – CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.