Job in Abuja at Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for a Program Director, 4Children

---

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.

Job Title:  Program Director, 4Children
Location: Abuja
 
Background:
Initiated in September 2014, The Comprehensive, Coordinated Care for Children Project (4Children) is a five‐year USAID‐funded consortium of organizations led by Catholic Relief Services with partners IntraHealth, Maestral, Pact, Plan and Westat. 4Children designed to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for OVC affected by HIV and AIDS and other adversities. 4Children draws on global evidence, which illustrates that HIV and other adversities are best prevented and addressed when families and children have access to both high quality health and social welfare services. 4Children helps countries to identify practical and appropriate policies, programs and services that reduce the risk of HIV and maltreatment and promote child well-being. It promotes approaches that address the unique needs of each child and family, including strengthening front line social service workforce and case management systems.
 
The United States Government (USG) has made a significant investment in the prevention and response to HIV and AIDS in Nigeria over the past decade. In fiscal year 2015, more than 800,000 children benefitted from PEPFAR-supported services. Currently, PEPFAR-funded OVC programming is occurring across the country in approximately 180 local government areas (LGAs).
 
Under PEPFAR 3.0, approaches will focus on the highest impact interventions in key geographic areas where data demonstrate the highest prevalence of HIV. In Nigeria, this has resulted in the identification of 32 LGAs where facilities report the highest prevalence of HIV. These LGAs, also referred to as “scale up” LGAs, will be the focus of intense PEPFAR-funded interventions aimed at significantly decreasing the rate of new HIV infections and successfully treating existing cases and controlling the spread of the disease. Future interventions will have an increased focus on linking OVC and their caregivers to HIV testing and counseling (HTC) and treatment and outreach to adolescent girls to prevent new HIV infections.  Through this new focus, it is anticipated that 300,000 OVC will be graduation or transitioned from current programming by end of fiscal year (FY) 2016 and an additional 600,000 OVC by end FY 2017.
 
To achieve these targets, 4Children will implement a two year project focused on the provision of technical assistance to PEPFAR OVC Implementing Partners, Government of Nigeria entities and Networks to graduate and transition OVC households and children from care and support. To support these efforts, the project will strengthen programming around sustainability planning, case management and referral of OVC and vulnerable households to health facilities, household economic strengthening activities parenting, and youth/adolescent girl programming, as well as supporting the development of a HIV-sensitive social service system.
 
Job Summary:
The 4Children Nigeria Program Director will be responsible for overall leadership and project management, including oversight of project activities, monitoring of timelines and outputs, ensuring adherence to technical and financial policies and standards of excellence, control and monitoring of project activities and expenses, compliance with donor requirements, reporting and representation. S/he will ensure project resources are managed according to USG and CRS rules and regulations, and that processes and results are documented in a timely manner. This position will support the daily management and coordination of project staff, oversee communication and collaboration with USAID and CDC, Government of Nigeria entities, 4Children consortium members, short-term technical assistance providers, PEPFAR USG OVC Implementing Partners, civil society organizations (CSOs) and private/commercial stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the 4Children Nigeria project. This position will oversee the initial technical, program, and operational set-up of 4Children’s presence in Nigeria. Subsequently, the position in collaboration with 4Children Core Team and Nigeria-based staff, CRS Nigeria Country Representative and team, and partner technical/program specialists will provide technical leadership in the design, development, implementation, and monitoring of the deliverables and outcomes of the project. The Program Director will supervise the Program Assistant, Sustainability Coordinator, Case Management and Referral Systems Technical Advisor, Parenting and Youth Technical Advisor, Household Economic Strengthening Technical Director, and MEAL Manager.
Specific Responsibilities:
 
Project Quality:

• Ensure that the project execution is in line with the project’s vision and that project plans are effectively implemented and aligned with CRS agency and country program policies and procedures.
• Ensure project objectives and results are fully accomplished and meet expected technical quality standards.
• Lead the planning of project activities and set appropriate performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices, reporting time lines and donor guidelines are respected.
• Ensure standardization of 4Children’s technical approaches across USG OVC IPs in Nigeria including development or adaptation of generic tools/resources or methodologies.
• Ensure key changes in project direction and focus are done in consultation with the 4Children core technical team, and 4Children Nigeria focal points and USAID/CDC Nigeria.
• In collaboration with the 4Children core team, identify needs for technical assistance in a timely manner and contribute to the development of scopes of work (SoW) as well as supervision of technical assistance.
• In collaboration with project staff, provide guidance and technical oversight to USG IPs, government partners and other collaborating agencies to ensure that objectives are achieved.
• When feasible, identify opportunities for linkages with other projects and organizations to support 4Children Nigeria project objectives.
• Oversee the identification, documentation and dissemination of project results in various forms including media stories, lessons learned, case studies, etc. and support learning exchanges among USG IPs, States and other similar programs both within and outside of Nigeria.

Partnership

• Engage 4Children consortium partners, as appropriate, during key stages in the project cycle for their insights on the appropriateness of program approaches and interventions and to support program quality.
• Foster positive collaboration between 4Children, CRS Nigeria and USAID/CDC Nigeria.
• Oversee the identification of capacity strengthening needs and provision of high quality technical assistance to USG OVC IPs, Networks and select Government of Nigeria entities related to household graduation/transition and social service system strengthening.

• Forge and manage complex partnerships with government, USG IPs, civil society, learning institutions, UN agencies, and the donor community in Nigeria and externally as need arises.

 
Management and Administration:

• Prepare annual project budget and manage program budgets, including tracking of financial and material resources.
• Ensure the financial management of the project, as per the project budget, including review and analysis of monthly budget comparison reports and timely submission of annual expenditure analysis reports in PROMIS.
• Review project expenses and cash pipeline and coordinate liquidations with CRS Finance and partners.
• Ensure staff compliance with all CRS administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable to the donor regulations.
• Request approval in a timely manner for program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification from the Deputy Country Representative/Programs.
•  Ensure that program activities comply with CRS financial guidelines, policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Coordinate with operations staff for purchasing and inventory control as per CRS/donor requirements.

Representation and Advocacy:

• In collaboration with the Nigeria Country Representative, Head of Programming and the 4Children Nigeria Consortium, act as primary program contact to the donor and other local and international stakeholders responsible for addressing all program matters.
• In collaboration with the Country Representative, Deputy Country Representative and 4Children core team, strengthen linkages with existing and potential partner agencies.
• Ensure that the program communication strategies, including compliance with 4Children and the donor’s branding and marketing requirements as well as CRS marketing and communication procedures are followed.
• Undertake high level representation, advocacy and influencing work in country and externally based as need arises.

Human Resource Management:

• Lead, manage and supervise staff to meet program objectives.
• Mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork.
• Ensure Performance and Development Planning, coaching and appraisals of staff performance are conducted in keeping with CRS’ performance management system
• Participate in the recruitment of other program staff and the selection and coordination of consultants. 

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

 
Supervisory Responsibility:
The Program Director will supervise the Sustainability Coordinator, Case Management and Referral Systems Technical Advisor, Parenting and Youth Technical Advisor, Household Economic Strengthening Technical Director, MEAL Manager, Program Assistant, and national and international consultants.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: 4Children Core Leadership and Technical Advisors; CRS Nigeria Deputy County Representative for Programming; CRS Nigeria Programming, Finance, Procurement, and HR/Administration, Department of Program Impact and Quality Assurance Technical Advisors in Microfinance, OVC, Agricultural Livelihoods and Capacity Strengthening, and CARO Regional Technical Advisors.
External: Donors, 4Children consortium members, government ministries at the National, State and LGA levels, UN agencies, other PEPFAR implementers including UGM partners, LOPINS and all other IPs, Child Protection and OVC Networks, research institutions, and relevant private sector entities.

---