Program Manager II,Ita na Ita Project Lead , Central African Republic 126 views0 applications

About CRS:

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.

Background

CRS has been working in CAR since 2007 with the main office in the capital Bangui and current field offices in Boda, Boali and Bouca. Its program portfolio includes food security, agricultural value chains, peacebuilding, social cohesion, reconciliation and emergency response activities. CRS continues to respond to the emergency and recovery needs of the people of CAR, who have been, and continue to be, severely impacted by the events in the aftermath of the March 2013 violent political crisis. As part of its emergency response and recovery programming, CRS implements shelter reconstruction, food security and market support activities with attention to social cohesion integration throughout.

In consortium with other international and national NGOs, CRS leads the implementation of its flagship integrated peacebuilding project, called the Central African Republic Interfaith Peacebuilding Partnership (CIPP). CIPP is a five-year, multi-sector engagement covering peacebuilding, capacity strengthening, livelihoods, trauma healing, and peace education.

CRS is seeking a Program Manager II, Ita na Ita Project Lead to support assessment, program development, implementation, operations, monitoring and reporting as part of its USAID CMM-funded project entitled “Ita na Ita” (People to People in native Songo). The project is a two-year project with the goal that “communities in the CAR prefecture of Lobaye build and maintain peace within and across identity lines.” Its lines of intervention cover social cohesion, trauma healing, and conflict management and leadership trainings while delivering community infrastructure, savings and internal lending communities (SILC), and economic association services to these same beneficiary groups.

Primary Responsibilities

The Program Manager II, Ita na Ita Project Lead serves as the focal point for CRS’ emergency response and recovery in implementing Ita na Ita in the Lobaye prefecture of southwestern CAR. S/he will be responsible for general planning, implementation, and monitoring of activities in emergency response operations under this project and in the geographic zone while supporting partners to improve their technical and managerial capacity to take on additional responsibilities.

S/he will coordinate with CRS staff, local and Church partners, local and national authorities, and other humanitarian agencies to avoid overlap and ensure quality implementation of the emergency activities. S/he will ensure the understanding and application of CRS’ Partnership Principles and will be a resource person for CRS and partner staff engaged in joint programs and/or other partnership activities, with the primary purpose of ensuring that partnerships are effective and mutually beneficial. S/he will also provide general programmatic support as needed to the Country Program, including assisting in the development of proposals, financial and administrative management, and technical oversight of the programming department’s responsibilities.

Specific Responsibilities

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Program Management and Quality:

• Support high quality project implementation to establish a reputation of CRS as an exceptional responder
• Ensure all CRS and partner grants are managed effectively and within the duration of the agreement
• Ensure there is close coordination of Emergency Response and Recovery activities with other CRS social cohesion and development programs in CAR
• Ensure adherence with CRS guiding principles, program quality statements and standards by promoting the use of CRS Program Quality tools and manuals, including the Project Management Standards (PMS) and the ProPack III /SMILER for MEAL
• Coordinate with the MEAL department to ensure quality, timely, and relevant monitoring and evaluation, ensuring the program has quality beneficiary feedback mechanisms
• Spearhead consistent innovation and documentation of lessons learned as well as dissemination of those — both positive and negative — to the humanitarian community and donors
• Provide support for the operationalization of Information, Communication and Technology for Development (ICT4D) in the zone and with regards to the project
• Track and support budget management, conducting timely budget maintenance reviews and working with finance and field staff on correcting problems as they arise
• Ensure accountability, gender equity, and protection principles are mainstreamed in all steps of the project cycle.
• Coordinate field visits for staff, visitors, and teams travelling to the affected areas
• Ensure that all activities strive to attain SPHERE and in-country Clusters’ standards
• Develop and maintain strong collaboration with CRS technical experts in the areas of emergency programs, social cohesion, shelter, SILC, cash & vouchers, and other relevant sectors as needed
• Be responsible for producing and maintaining up to date Past Performance References and Gateway records on all concerned activities
• Support cohesive leadership to CRS programming in CAR, ensuring that priorities and opportunities identified are in line with the emergency strategy and goals

New Programming and Business Development:

• Ensure new programming is in line with the CAR emergency strategy
• Lead the development of evidence-based, quality emergency response proposals as opportunities arise. Perform as proposal coordinator or support writer as needed
• Work with senior CAR staff to strategically use Country Program and regional private allocation funds to position CRS for further donor funding
• Ensure needed project documents (such as proposal, SMILER, DIP) are in place for each new initiative and update as needed
• · Ensure CDJP, Caritas, and other partners’ capacities and visions are reflected in all activities

Partnership and Capacity Building:

• Ensure the effective sharing of information, including key decisions, status updates, successes and challenges, with partners
• Build and/or maintain strong and effective relationships between CRS and partners, through the committed application of Partnership Principles and other relevant methods
• Identify concerns of significance related to partnerships and/or partner implemented projects, and work to address them, ensuring they are brought to attention of the HOP and the Country Manager and other senior management as needed
• Ensure completion and dissemination of reports/documentation of partnership initiatives in keeping with established requirements
• Promote a work culture in line with CRS values: promotion of international and national talents, collaboration, and uniform adherence to CRS programming principles
• Whenever appropriate, organize CRS, CDJP, and Caritas combined responses to promote cross learning
• Ensure that adequate staff (CRS and from partner organizations) are allocated to emergency activities to ensure quality implementation and follow up
• Facilitate the necessary trainings (i.e. SPHERE standards, voucher methodology, etc.) for staff to implement quality programs.

Representation:

• Develop contacts and partnerships with other humanitarian organizations in CAR
• Coordinate with implementing partners through regular communication
• Collaborate with key individuals in the zone, relevant Government Ministries, the local Catholic Church, counterpart institutions and NGOs, foreign and local NGOs, and UN agencies
• Ensure CRS CAR is an influential and relevant actor in national and regional level humanitarian coordination structures
• Promote the implementation of local area coordination in the CAR response

Agency-Wide Competencies (for all CRS staff):

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

• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Program Manager Competencies:

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

• Sets clear goals and manages toward them.
• Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders.
• Manages financial resources with integrity.
• Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning

Emergency Competencies:

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

• Communicates strategically under pressure.
• Manages stress and complexity.
• Actively promotes safety and security.
• Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations, Community Development, or a related field is required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Significant (minimum 5 years) experience in managing programs and human and financial resources, preferably in complex emergency situations and in remote locations
• Proven experience in establishing and maintaining effective partnerships
• Proven track record of developing winning proposals for the US government, EU, UN, and/or other funding opportunities
• Commitment to and understanding of gender sensitive approaches to programming and operations management
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to navigate the humanitarian coordination system
• Proven expertise in coordinating management and technical skill training programs to support the development of emergency response staff
• Knowledge of CRS programming, Integral Human Development, SPHERE standards and Catholic Social Teaching principles preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge/experience of integrating cross-cutting themes such as capacity building, gender, good governance, and peacebuilding
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Excellent professional communications skills in both oral and written English and French required, with knowledge of local languages such as the national Sango a plus
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions independently
• Extremely flexible, and able to cope with stressful situations in emergency environments
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership in strategic planning initiatives
• Ability to work both as a motivating member and a leader of a diverse team
• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point) necessary; familiarity with the application of ICT and GIS products in emergency preparedness and response an asset
• Experience with staff care in emergency settings

Disclaimer: This JD is not an exhaustive list of the responsibilities of the position, and should the program transition into emergency response mode this position will include additional responsibilities as appropriate.

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