Job Title: Program Manager I, Emergency Response in Mali
Position Type: Full Time
Area of Interest: Emergency
Location: Sevare, Mali
Region WARO
Report to : Emergency Coordinator
Background: CRS has been working in Mali for over 16 years, implementing a variety of WFP, FAO, UNICEF, USAID, USDA, Buffet Foundation funded projects in emergency, education, nutrition, community health, food security, WASH, tuberculosis, agricultural livelihoods, and microfinance (SILC) and resilience. The program has grown significantly in the last several years expanding its reach and impact across Mali. CRS Mali has project offices in Sevare, Mopti Region and works with three of 6 dioceses, through Caritas Bamako, Caritas San and Caritas Mopti, as well as 4-6 non-Church partners. Over the past several years, communities in Mali have faced severe security, political and economic challenges, which have created large-scale food insecurity throughout the Sahara and Sahel zones. In 2011/2012 drought throughout Sahelian West Africa created a widespread food crisis that challenged the coping strategies of millions of vulnerable households living in these zones. The rebel advancement from northern zones into Sahelian zones (Mopti and Segou Regions) in 2012 created displacement and further difficulties for households living within the affected and surrounding areas by impacting markets, government services and undermining local livelihoods. The impact of the conflict and remaining insecurity, coupled with insufficient rains in parts of the country have once again in 2014 led to a food security crisis in Mali. In response to these crises, CRS has increased its emergency portfolio significantly, beginning with food and cash transfers for the first wave of IDPs in northern Mopti in March 2012, followed by innovative cash transfers for IDPs in Bamako and Mopti Town. Privately funded emergency projects have supported recuperation of livelihoods for war affected populations and flood survivors in Bamako. CRS is currently completing a USAID Emergency Food Security Program (EFSP)-funded project worth $1.8 million assisting over 4,500 households. CRS Mali is now expanding programming to respond to the emergency and early recovery needs of the people in the Gourma Rharous Circle of the Timbuktu Region of Mali, within “Faaba” project funded by OFDA and CRS Private funds. CRS Mali is seeking an Emergency Response and Recovery Program Manager to support assessment, program development, implementation, monitoring and reporting for “Faaba” project. The Program Manager will be expected to spend 100% of his/her time in Sevare and surrounding zones of intervention.
Primary Responsibilities:In line with the CRS Strategy, applicable CRS Competencies, and under the direction of the Emergency Coordinator, the Program Manager (PM) will ensure high quality implementation of the emergency response and recovery programs under his/her direct management and supervision, with particular focus on the “Faaba” project, whose purpose is to alleviate immediate needs and support livelihoods recovery within the conflict-affected and highly food insecure areas in three communes of Gourma Rharous Cercle, Timbuktu Region. The project interventions will promote restoration of household livelihood capacities through cash/vouchers for productive inputs, training in improved agriculture/NRM/animal husbandry techniques; economic recovery and rehabilitation of productive infrastructure through cash for work; strengthening of community-level security and disaster preparedness planning. The program management includes both technical and budgetary oversight, working closely with local partners under the support of the Emergency Coordinator. In this role, s/he will be responsible for supporting local partners to develop capacity in various aspects of program management. The PM will be responsible for preparing donor reports in coordination with the Emergency Coordinator. Finally, s/he will be responsible for supporting the performance development of National staff under “Faaba” project.
Job Responsibilities: Program Quality and ManagementFor the “Faaba” project, s/he will:· Oversee and ensure the successful implementation of emergency and recovery programming· 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.· With support from the MEAL department, support the development and implementation of strong MEAL systems using CRS tools and resources to maximize project impact on project participants.· Support the research, documentation and sharing of lessons learned/best practices for CRS emergency interventions. Continuously support the professional development of his/her team by providing clear orientation, feedback and learning opportunities.· 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 food security; and livelihoods recovery. · Maintain up to date documentation related to project approval, monitoring and implementation.
Partners’ accompaniment 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. · Accompaniment offers a critical opportunity for both the local partner and CRS for capacity building through learning-by-doing, recognizing the respective strengths and contributions of each partner in successfully implementing programs.
Reporting and Visibility· 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. · Provide regular updates to government and non-government coordination bodies.· Prepare short success stories and briefs on innovation/best practices. · Support the regular mapping of CRS Mali program activities as well as regular updating as needed.
Budgeting, Financial Planning and Reporting
· Ensure proper review of partner budgets and liquidations in coordination with the Country Program finance team.· Ensure grant management compliance with donor regulations with support from the Country Program Compliance team.· Work closely with local partners to ensure timely and quality advance tracking and liquidation as per CRS guidelines.· With support from the finance and compliance teams, prepare finance reports for projects under his/her supervision.· Coordinate with operations staff for purchasing and inventory control as per CRS/donor requirements. · In collaboration with the finance/compliance teams, review and analyze budget comparison reports and take necessary steps to ensure proper management and utilization of budgets.
Coordination and Communication · Represent CRS in coordination and cluster meetings.· Ensure that CRS maximizes impact on communities through coordination with other actors providing complementary services.· Regularly communicate project progress, major issues and security incidents to the immediate supervisor and Security focal point, as appropriate.· Promote CRS as a leader in emergency programming.
Security· Ensure adherence by staff and self to CRS security protocols and contribute to updating as requested.
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.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Includes managing the performance of a CRS “Faaba” Project team.
Key Relationships:
Internal: Country Representative, Head of Programs, Emergency Coordinator, Sevare Head of Office, other PMs, Grants Compliance Manager, Finance staff.
External: Local Partner staff, representatives of other humanitarian agencies operating in Ghourmas Rharous.
Qualifications:
· Master’s Degree in international relations, international development or related field. · Minimum 3 years of experience working within international development, including direct experience in fast paced emergency environments. · Demonstrated ability with project grants management, 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.· Strong written and spoken communication skills in French.· Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point). · Experience in vulnerability assessments, beneficiary registration, distributions, monitoring and evaluation in emergency situations preferred.· Experience in business development/proposal development, preferred.· Experience in working with grants funded by OFDA. · Knowledge of CRS and Sphere emergency guidelines preferred.· Ability and willingness to work and live in diverse, challenging and potentially unstable environments.
Physical Requirements/Environment: The position is based in the CRS Mali sub-office in Sevare.
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EOE/M/F/D/V
