Project Manager – Coffee, Cocoa, Cashew Value Chains 86 views0 applications

Job Title: Project Manager – Coffee, Cocoa, Cashew Value Chains

(for Sierra Leonean Nationals only, position contingent on award of donor funding)

Department: Programs

Band: 9

Reports To: Head of Programs

Country/Location: Sierra Leone/Freetown

CRS Background

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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.

Country Background

CRS launched its work in Sierra Leone in 1963 supporting relief and development operations in the country. CRS Sierra Lone 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, CRS Sierra Leone has a robust portfolio built around several major programs in Education, Nutrition, Health, Agriculture, and Urban Resilience. CRS Sierra Leone has its main office in Freetown, with over 140 staff in total across the country.

Job Summary:

You will manage, coordinate, and monitor project activities and relationships with partners and other project stakeholders to assist the achievement of the Integrated Approach to Strengthen Coffee, Cocoa, or Cashew (CCC) Production and Quality in Sierra Leone project objectives advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your project management skills and knowledge of the program area will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of this project.

Job Responsibilities:

· You will lead technical, budget management, monitoring and reporting activities through most of the project cycle – start-up, implementation and close-out – in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.

· Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.

· Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities following MEAL Policy. Proactively identify issues, report them to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.

· Engage and strengthen partnerships relevant to Integrated Approach to Strengthen CCC Production and Quality in Sierra Leone, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.

· Represent the organization with donors, INGO working groups, UN, relevant local partners and relevant local government and community actors for Agriculture and Livelihoods.

· Coordinate activities required for ensuring the financial, material and human resources for the quality implementation of the project. Conduct periodic budget reviews and follow-up with partners on timely submission of financial reports to facilitate proper tracking of resource use.

· Identify staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and contribute to capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.

· Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and disseminate results. Review project documentation to ensure project file is complete with all required documentation and is filed per agency and donor requirements.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

· Bachelor’s degree required in the field of Agriculture, livelihoods, agro-enterprise, business development or international development. Master’s degree a plus. Additional experience may substitute for some education.

· Minimum of 5 years of work experience in project management, ideally in the field of Agriculture and Livelihoods and for an NGO.

· Additional experience may substitute for some education.

· Relevant grant management experience, especially for USG or other public donors, a plus.

· Staff supervision experience.

· Experience working with stakeholders at various levels and strengthening community partnerships.

· Ability to contribute to the development of technical proposals, a plus.

· Experience analyzing data and contributing to evaluation reports.

· Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal Skills

· Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.

· Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders. Representation abilities.

· Ability to contribute to written reports

· Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

· Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Language Required

English, Krio, Mende

Travel Required

Occasional travel from Freetown to sub-offices and field sites in Kenema, Kailahun, Bo, Tonkolili, Bombali, Portloko

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: Senior Agronomist, SILC Manager, MEAL Officer, Gender Officer

Internal: Head of Operations, Country Representative, Regional and Senior Technical Advisors for Agriculture and Livelihoods

External: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Sierra Leone Agriculture Research Institute, partners

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

· Accountability & Stewardship

· Builds Relationships

· Develops Talent

· Continuous Improvement & Innovation

· Strategic Mindset

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer, women encouraged to apply