Program Manager, Emergency Response & Recovery at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

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: Program Manager, Emergency Response & Recovery

Location: Maiduguri, Borno

Specific Responsibilities
Program Quality and Management:

• Oversee and ensure the successful implementation of emergency and recovery programming in allocated geographical zones.
• Together with sectoral Program Managers, lead the planning of project activities and set high quality performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices and donor guidelines.
• Use appropriate project management tools to plan, review and track progress on project implementation as well as on the utilization of project resources.
• Together with the MEAL Coordinator, develop and implement strong Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems using CRS tools and resources
• Continuously support the professional development of his/her team by providing clear orientation, feedback and learning opportunities.
• Identify technical assistance needs for CRS and partners, and take the lead in developing SOWs and following up with sectoral PMs, CRS technical advisors, and other resources, as appropriate.
• Collaborate with other CRS and partner Program Managers to ensure effective program coordination/sharing of shared resources.
• Support efforts for the appropriate integration of ICT into new or ongoing programs, where appropriate.
• Assist with the development of new emergency and recovery projects and programs, particularly within the sectors of protection, WASH, shelter, social cohesion, food security, and livelihoods/ economic recovery.
• Ensure quality cash- and market-based approaches where appropriate
• Ensure protection principles are mainstreamed throughout program activities as necessary
• Maintain up to date documentation related to project approval, monitoring and implementation.
• Promote strong linkages and exchange with other CRS programming across Northeast Nigeria program areas to ensure the sharing of best practices and expertise across the country program.
• Closely monitor events in Gubio and the Northeast (humanitarian situation, politics, and security, etc.) in order to contribute to an accurate analysis of the fluid operating environment and identify other potential program areas and partners for CRS work in the region in order to be appropriately responsive to the evolving context.

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.

Programmatic Reporting:

• Together with sectoral Program Managers, prepare and submit required donor project narrative reports, quarterly performance indicator tracking tables, baseline and final evaluation reports, as well as other reports needed/required by the local government, donors, the region or headquarters.
• Advise sectoral Program Managers and senior management about issues affecting project implementation, or key local issues affecting future grants/projects developments.
• Provide regular updates to government and non-government coordination bodies, as appropriate.
• Prepare short success stories and briefs on innovation/best practices.
• Support the regular mapping of CRS program activities as well as regular updating as needed.

Budgeting, Financial Planning and Reporting:

• With support from the CRS Northeast Nigeria Operations team, ensure proper financial management systems are in place and followed
• Together with sectoral Program Managers, ensure grant management compliance with donor regulations
• Work closely with local partners to ensure timely and quality advance tracking and liquidation as per CRS guidelines.
• Coordinate with operations staff for purchasing and inventory control as per CRS/donor requirements.
• Together with sectoral Program Managers, review and analyze budget comparison reports and take necessary steps to ensure proper management and utilization of budgets.

Coordination and Communication:

• Represent CRS in local area 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 Gubio-based program and partner staff in adherence to the CRS Performance Management System, as appropriate
• 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:

• Includes managing the performance of a CRS/Caritas program team.

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 beneficiaries

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in International Development or related field, or equivalent work experience
• Minimum two years of experience working within international development, including direct experience in fast paced emergency environments.
• Demonstrated ability with managing project grants, including project design, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, supervision and performance management, etc.
• Ability to work independently, but also 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, and management and leadership skills.
• Experience with capacity strengthening and partnership building.
• Capacity to work closely with, understand, and support local partners.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English.
• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point).
• Experience in vulnerability assessments, beneficiary registration, distributions, monitoring and evaluation in emergency situations preferred.
• Familiarity with cash- or market-based programming approaches preferred
• Experience in working with grants funded by USAID and UN Agencies preferred.
• Knowledge of CRS and Sphere emergency guidelines preferred.
• Ability and willingness to work and live in diverse, challenging and potentially unstable environments.
• 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 other NE states
• CRS will provide accommodation in a guest house or approved hotel

Application Closing Date
1st September, 2017.

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