Job Recruitment at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

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Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established presence in Nigeria in 2000 and currently focuses on vulnerable children, agriculture, health and HIV, extractives and governance, and peace building programming. We are recruiting to fill the position below:     Job Title: Markets Program Manager Req Number: I3835 Location: Maiduguri, with frequent travel in Northeast Nigeria Department/Country: Emergency Program, Nigeria Position Type: Full-time, 6-months Reports To: Emergency Coordinator Background

• Now in its eighth year, the Lake Chad Basin crisis has been estimated to affect 10.7 million people in one of the world's poorest, most drought-prone regions. As of February 2017, 7 million people in Northeast (NE) Nigeria are in severe need of humanitarian assistance, of which 4.7 million people are estimated to be food insecure. Despite a scale up in humanitarian assistance, significant gaps remain, as thousands of people affected by the conflict have not been reached with adequate humanitarian support.
• CRS began implementing markets-based food assistance humanitarian programming in Yobe State in 2015, with expansion into Borno State in 2016.
• Through a multi-sectorial, holistic approach, CRS also supports conflict-affected households with WASH, shelter, agriculture, nutrition, social cohesion, and early recovery programming. Markets-based modalities are integrated across CRS programs using CRS' online Cash and Asset Transfer (CAT) system, allowing beneficiaries to purchase items from local vendors using e-voucher cards.
• Food for Peace and ECHO-funded food assistance programs reach over 80,000 individuals, while other programs use e-vouchers to distribute of NFI, agricultural inputs, and other items.

Specific Responsibilities Program Quality and Management:

• Under direct supervision of the Markets PM II, lead the planning and implementation of project activities and set high quality performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices and donor guidelines
• Under direct supervision of the Markets PM II, lead design and implementation of improved financial control systems and accountability practices across CRS markets-based programming
• Support the CRS Markets team to implement best practices in community accountability and management; feedback response mechanisms; gender, conflict sensitivity, and protection mainstreaming; adaptations to local contexts, and other participatory practices throughout project design and implementation, and that diverse, vulnerable people's feedback is frequently solicited and incorporated
• Provide technical support to program teams on the use of CAT technology including training, set up, troubleshooting, innovation, asset management, documentation of Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs)
• Lead market assessments, needs assessments, and price monitoring as well as regular data analysis to improve program quality
• Together with the Markets PM II, ensure the selection of program beneficiaries based on approved criteria and strategies, and that beneficiaries are consulted and their views taken into account at all stages of program implementation
• Together with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) team, ensure the development and implementation of strong monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning systems using appropriate CRS tools and resources
• Assist with the development of new markets-based projects and programs, particularly within the sectors of food assistance, nutrition, WASH, shelter, agriculture, and livelihoods recovery

Partnership and Capacity Building:

• Involve partners at all stages of the project cycle for their insights on the appropriateness of program approaches and interventions as well as their perspectives of the operating environment and cultural sensitivity
• Accompany and strengthen capacity of local partners through learning-by-doing, recognizing the respective strengths and contributions of each partner and CRS in successfully implementing programs
• Lead training of CRS and partner staff in all relevant aspects of markets-based programming, including use of ICT4D, CAT platform, data analysis, internal controls, accountability and feedback systems, and community-based implementation best practices

Programmatic Reporting:

• Under direct supervision of the Markets PM II, ensure timely and quality preparation of donor project narrative reports, monthly indicator tracking tables, baseline and final evaluation reports, as well as other reports needed/required by the local government, donors, the region or headquarters.
• Prepare short success stories and communications briefs on innovation/best practices
• Advise senior management about issues affecting project implementation, or key local issues affecting future grants/projects developments.

Budgeting, Financial Planning and Reporting:

• Under direct supervision of the Markets PM II, ensure grant management compliance with donor regulations
• Under direct supervision of the Markets PM II, review and analyze budget comparison reports and take necessary steps to ensure proper management and utilization of grant/project budgets

Coordination and Communication:

• Represent CRS at appropriate Cluster or Sector coordination meetings
• Liaise with key non-government organizations (NGOs) and national, state, and local government actors as necessary
• Support the research, documentation and sharing of lessons learned/best practices for CRS emergency interventions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise and mentor Markets Team Program Officers and Program Assistants in adherence to the CRS Performance Management System, as appropriate
• Support Markets Team Program Officers and Program Assistants to design, plan, and implement performance management of community-based teams of CRS and partner staff
• Prepare performance plans and performance appraisals for project staff, as appropriate

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

CRS Emergency Competencies:

• Each CRS staff member working in emergencies is expected to have the following competencies 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

CRS 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 Responsibilities:

• Manage a team of program officers and assistants, as appropriate.

Key Relationships

• Internal: Emergency Director, Emergency Coordinator, sectoral Program Managers, and other CRS programming and operational staff in Nigeria, regional staff, and technical advisors including CRS Humanitarian Response Department.
• External: Appropriate Sector leads, UN OCHA, state and local government offices, local and international NGOs, UN agencies, CRS partners, donors, community members and beneficiairies

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in International Development or related field, or equivalent work experience
• Minimum 3 years of experience working within international development or humanitarian aid, including direct experience in fast paced emergency environments
• Experience conducting market and needs assessments, beneficiary registration, in-kind distributions, social mobilization, and monitoring and evaluation in emergency situations preferred
• Excellent computer skills including complex data management and analysis with Excel, with experience using cash and asset transfer systems (RedRose, Segovia) and other database software preferred
• Ability to work independently and flexibly to respond to needs as they arise, but also to coordinate effectively as part of a team
• Ability to lead a multi-cultural team with a high level of respect for local culture
• Strong analytical, organizational, management, and leadership skills.
• Experience with capacity strengthening and partnership building
• Experience managing project implementation and community-based field teams, with experience in and technical knowledge of cash and markets-based humanitarian programming and CaLP standards strongly preferred
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English, with Hausa or Kanuri a plus
• Experience in working with grants funded by USAID and UN Agencies preferred
• Ability and willingness to work and live in diverse, challenging and potentially insecure environments, adhering to strict security protocols

Required Foreign Language:

• Fluent English. Hausa or Kanuri a plus.

Required Travel:

• Travel within Nigeria, frequent vehicle travel to project sites

Work Environment:

• This position is based in Maiduguri, Borno State, with frequent travel to Damaturu, Yobe State
• CRS will provide accommodation in a guest house or approved hotel

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.

    Job Title: Program Manager, Partnership and Capacity Strengthening Req Number: I3816 Location: Maiduguri-Borno Primary Responsibilities

• The Program Manager - Partnership and Capacity Strengthening (PM-PCS) serves as the lead staff person for all aspects of partnership and capacity strengthening in the North East (NE) Nigeria, Emergency Response and Recovery Program including Strategy Leadership, Communication and Relationship Management, and Coordination.
• In addition, the EC-PCS is responsible for supervision of staff in the PCS unit.
• S/he serves as primary liaison between CRS and its partners, and is responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships.
• S/he ensures the understanding and application of CRS' Partnership Principles, and is 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 ensures relevant information is shared appropriately and effectively.
• S/he is responsible for ensuring partnership and capacity strengthening tools, including the Memorandum of Understanding, Partnership Reflections, Partnership Scorecard, etc. are developed and applied appropriately and in keeping with CRS standards and best practice.
• S/he leads or supports partnership-related groups, including advisory committees, task forces, etc, ensuring meetings are held, information is shared, and action plans are implemented and tracked.
• S/he further serves as primary liaison with regional and HQ-based partnership and capacity strengthening staff, and ensures the adoption and sharing of CRS and peer agency best practice.
• S/he supports projects or components of projects that are focused on capacity strengthening.

Specific Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to the following: Strategy leadership:

• Provide overall leadership of partnership strategy and related initiatives, including goal and target development and related monitoring and evaluation;
• Ensure the application of specific methodologies, including partnership reflections and scorecards, designed to ensure the appropriateness and quality of the partnership strategy;
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities to support/enhance the partnership strategy;
• Identify potential new partners using CRS tools, including partner mappings and assessments.

Communication and Relationship Management:

• Support the development and adoption of a common language around partnership, capacity strengthening and institution strengthening among CRS and partner staff;
• Ensure the effective sharing of information, including key decisions, status updates, successes and challenges, with the appropriate people within CRS and partners (in keeping with situational demands and the requirements of established agreements);
• Identify and apply effective communication methods (meetings, bulletins, presentations, reports, etc.) to ensure regular and effective communication is maintained;
• 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 Deputy Country Representative (DCR), the Emergency Director, the Emergency Coordinator for Program Quality and other senior management as needed;
• Ensure completion and dissemination of reports/documentation of partnership initiatives in keeping with established requirements.

Capacity Strengthening and Institution Building:

• Work with key staff to develop a strategy for capacity strengthening and leadership development for partners;
• Provide strategic leadership in the development, identification and dissemination of standardized approaches and best practices to implement the strategy;
• Work with partners to apply relevant tools (Holistic Organizational Capacity Assessment Implement -- HOCAI, Sub Recipient Financial Management Policy -- SRFMP, etc.), to help identify capacity and institution strengthening needs, develop corresponding strategies, and monitor implementation;
• Work with staff of relevant program, finance and operations sectors, to develop/ adapt and provide training, tools, etc. for targeted CRS and partner staff;
• Develop/adapt, provide and/or oversee technical assistance activities with partners, including accompaniment and mentoring;
• Identify any gaps in understanding or application, by relevant CRS and partner staff, of key partnership terms and principles, and address them through dialogue, training, provision of tools, etc;
• Participate in field activities such as strategic planning processes and evaluations to ensure an appropriate approach to capacity strengthening;
• Remain current on agency guidelines, learning initiatives and policies related to capacity strengthening.

Coordination (Internal/External):

• Identify and support the creation of strong inter-organizational networks that contribute to CRS and partner goals;
• Serve as focal point for issues that may affect key partnerships, including issues with program implementation, reporting, etc.;
• Lead efforts with key CRS staff to ensure appropriate level of coordination of partner activities, including sub-recipient management, reporting requirements, monitoring visits, trainings, etc.;
• Serve as primary liaison with regional and HQ-based partnership/capacity strengthening staff, ensuring efforts are integrated with agency strategy, best practices are being applied, and success stories are shared;
• Coordinate with peer/donor agencies, especially Catholic agencies, in their partnership and institution-strengthening efforts, working to ensure complementarity of effort.

Program Support:

• Advise on projects or project components that are focused on capacity strengthening at all stages of project cycle, including design and development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL), budget tracking, reporting, etc.
• Provide guidance on project agreement processes;
• Support the implementation of the Sub-Recipient Financial Management Policy (SRFMP) and develop/adapt corresponding support tools;
• Advise program, finance and other operations staff on assisting partners to be in compliance with donor regulations, reporting requirements, etc., and provide related guidance and training;
• Support monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) activities and processes for partners using CRS' standard tools, including training partners on MEAL standards and practices.

Staff supervision:

• Supervise partnership and capacity strengthening staff, including the provision of mentoring and on-the-job training as needed.

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 Development, Project Management, Business, Organizational Development, Non-formal Education, Psychology or Public Administration;
• Minimum of five years of experience in project management, within international organizations or the private sector, including: management of human resources, project activities and/or budgets;
• Minimum of three years of experience with partnership activities and institutional strengthening, preferably with a religious partner;
• Experience with capacity building, including training and mentoring as well as developing training materials;
• Experience in Institution Strengthening, including developing and/or improving business processes, policies and procedures;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, representation and networking skills;
• Strong capacity to facilitate collaboration between partners and different departments (programs, finance, etc.);
• Strong leadership, advisory and negotiation skills;
• Strong understanding of the Catholic Church and its internal structures;
• Strong understanding of CRS history, mission and vision particularly as it relates to the Catholic Church;
• Demonstrated experience working successfully in cross-disciplinary teams and facilitating team efforts in the workplace, as well as working independently;
• Proven ability to use Microsoft WORD, EXCEL and PowerPoint;

Working Relationships:

• Internal: Deputy Country Representatives, Head of Operations, Business Development, Emergency teams, Global and Regional Technical Assistants (including the Humanitarian Response Department),
• External: Caritas Internationalis, Local Partners, Cluster leads and members, Emergency PVO Community, UN agencies, Donor agencies

  How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should: Click here to apply Note: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.   Application Deadline: 9th September, 2017.

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