Program Manager / CRS Senior Project Officer at Catholic Relief Services

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 agriculture, health and emergency programming.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Program Manager / CRS Senior Project Officer

Job ID: 2100006K
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Schedule: Regular
Shift: Standard
Employee Status: Team Leader
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Level: Day Job
Travel: Yes, 75 % of the Time

Context:

• For the 2018-2020 Global Fund Malaria grant, CRS remained a Co-PR with NMEP, strengthening the synergy and collaboration with NMEP to improve efficiency and impact. CRS worked closely with NMEP, Society for Family Health (SFH), Malaria Consortium, various state governments and other stakeholders to coordinate and implement the 2018-2020 long lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) mass campaigns in 13 states. CRS provided oversight and ICT4D leadership for the LLIN campaigns and implemented directly in some of the states. In addition to SFH, CRS provided oversight to 2 other SRs (Management Sciences for Health and Malaria Consortium), in providing support to the 13 states supported by the Global Fund, for a range of malaria treatment and prevention services at the state level. These services included Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) implemented by Malaria Consortium with oversight from CRS.
• For the 2021-2023 Global Fund Malaria grant, CRS will remain a Co-PR with NMEP and provide robust oversight to the 3 SRs (Society for Family Health, Management Sciences for Health and Malaria Consortium). CRS will work closely with NMEP, 3 SRs and other partners, to scale up the implementation of life saving interventions and improve access to quality malaria services in the 13 GF supported states. These critical interventions include malaria treatment and prevention services such as Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention, LLIN campaigns, Social and Behavior Change campaign, and testing and treatment interventions.

Specific Job Responsibilities

Program and Case Management:

• Represent CRS in relevant coordination and planning meetings, including (but not limited to) the Malaria Technical Working Group meeting, Programme Management and Case Management Subcommittee meetings
• Manage the relationship with and oversee the work of 3 SRs (Management Sciences for Health, Malaria Consortium and Society for Family Health) under the Global Fund Malaria Grant
• Oversee the implementation of iCCM by the iCCM SR under the Global Fund Malaria Grant while coordinating with the other iCCM stakeholders
• Oversee the implementation of Malaria Case Management by the SRs under the Global Fund Malaria Grant while coordinating with the other Malaria Case Management stakeholders
• Work closely with the ACSM team in overseeing the implementation of ACSM activities by the ACSM SR under the Global Fund Malaria Grant while coordinating with the other ACSM stakeholders
• Ensure that CRS Nigeria’s “cashless” approach and policies are being respected by all CRS Global Fund Malaria partners
• Ensure proper monitoring and supervision of program activities implemented by the SRs and the elaboration of the various trip reports with the assistance of the multidisciplinary team

GF Malaria Internal Displaced Person Intervention:

• Supervise IDP Case Management Officers in Gombe, Adamawa, Yobe and Taraba state
• Oversee the implementation of GF malaria IDP intervention in Gombe, Adamawa, Yobe and Taraba state

Sub-Recipient Oversight:

• Support in managing SR program implementation, budget tracking and reporting, and ensure that the SRs are adhering strictly to the SR Agreement as well as the Global Fund policies and guidelines
• Conduct program-wide quarterly programme and operational review meetings with the SRs and follow up with appropriate actions and feedback
• Participate in PR-SR meetings to review grant achievements, analyze reports and SR performance ratings; and provide technical support where required
• Participate in PR-PR meetings to review grant achievements and agree on strategies for improving grant performance
• Participate in quarterly grant review meetings with the Global Fund Country Team and partners, for improving grant efficiency and effectiveness
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting on case management activities by the SRs
• Ensure timely SR reporting on all grant activities
• Implement an efficient feedback mechanism between PR and SRs, including (but not limited to) the quarterly SR report submissions and PR feedback
• With key program staff and stakeholders, ensure the Global Fund Malaria Program’s strategic objectives for malaria implementation and LLIN mass campaign activities are fully accomplished, meeting expected quality standards
• Work with relevant key stakeholders to identify pertinent operational research questions which can be answered within the program, design appropriate studies, implement them, analyze data and document the findings

Budget Management:

• Actively participate in activities to ensure appropriate budget planning and financial reporting by SRs, including budget management, forecasting and analysis of burn rates
• Actively participate in activities to ensure sub-recipients remain in compliance with CRS and Global Fund donor rules and regulations for management of resources
• Participate actively in the monthly CRS Budget Comparison Report (BCR)/budget review meetings
• Actively participate in reviewing actual financial performance against the budget for the various SR budgets, and explain variances on a regular basis

Partnership Management:

• Act as Case Management contact/support for CRS sub-recipients, including sharing new information and ensuring healthy relationships are maintained between the sub-recipients and the state governments
• Represent CRS at national level technical meetings with other malaria partners as delegated by the Deputy Chief of Party and/or the Chief of Party
• Carry out any other duties assigned by the supervisor

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL):

• In collaboration with the MEAL team, track progress towards relevant performance indicators, analyzing reasons for shortfalls and adapting program strategies as needed
• Support the design and implementation of feedback and response channels to enhance accountability of malaria program services
• In collaboration with program and SRs staff, provide guidance and technical oversight to partners and other collaborating agencies to ensure that lessons learned and best practices for malaria programming are documented and disseminated
• Facilitate learning exchanges among SRs and between SRs and government ministries on malaria program management and support quality improvement initiatives

Management and Administration:

• Support elaboration of Program Update/Disbursement Requests (PU/DR) in collaboration with other program staff
• Review SRs program reports and provide feedback on implementation progress and performance, identifying solutions to address challenges and weaknesses
• Ensure implementation of activities in compliance with all CRS and Global Fund administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations.

Required Languages:

• English

Travel:

• Must be willing and able to travel up to 75%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Global Fund Malaria Program Team, Deputy Country Representative, Country Representative, Head of Operations, Finance, Procurement and Administration Staff, Regional and Senior Technical Advisors, Deputy Regional Directors for PQ and MQ
• External: Global Fund’s Fund Portfolio Manager and Nigeria Country Team, SRs, State Ministries of Health (SMOH), National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) within the Federal Ministry of Health (MoH), Technical and Financial Partners, partner health facilities, Local Fund Agent (LFA)

Qualifications

• M.D / MBBS required with significant field experience in clinical and/or community-based malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment OR post graduate degree in health management or public health.
• At least 6 years of post NYSC relevant experience in public health with a strong preference for candidates with at least 4 years’ experience in malaria programming. Some health-related community development experience is required.
• Ability to work both in a team and independently and ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training.
• Experience with, and a demonstrated commitment to, community-based approach to development.
• Experience with GF donor funding requirement is a plus.
• Ability to interface with multiple stakeholders, representatives, and partners in a professional manner on an ongoing basis.
• Excellent analytical and information seeking skills, good decision-making skills.
• Experience with participatory planning and evaluation methods preferred
• Experience managing development sector programs is required.
• Experience in malaria programming at the field level and providing technical assistance to partner organizations; knowledge and experience of programmatic and technical service delivery challenges highly desired.

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.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:     
Click here to apply

Note

• Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
• 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.
• All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.
• 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. (For all US and International positions)

Application Deadline  28th June, 2021.