Job Title: Program Manager II-Project Director for
Agricultural Institutional Capacity
Building (Pasder-2)
Location: Parakou, Benin
Reports To: Head of Programming
Band: D
FLSA: Exempt
About CRS: Catholic Relief Services 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.
Background:Catholic Relief Services began working in Benin in 1958. CRS' is in the process of growing its’ Agricultural Livelihoods sector portfolio. The country program's strengths, particularly working at the community level, have allowed the program team to manage significant programs in the health and micro-finance sectors. CRS is seeking a four-year Cooperation Suisse grant for Phase 2 of the « Programme d’Appui au Secteur du Développement Économique Rural dans le Départements du Borgou et de l’Alibori » (PASDER-2). CRS’ role will be as the grant manager. The focus of the project is reinforcing the institutional capacity of regional and local socio-professional organizations (SPO) in ten communes including an agricultural producers union and a stockbreeders union. The project has three main objectives:
- The SPOs at diverse levels have organizational, technical and managerial capacity to effectively and transparently provide services to their members.
- At least four agricultural value chains increase productivity and are sustainably integrated into market channels.
- The economic power of women is reinforced through specifically targeted development activities. The project will be based in Parakou. While the grant officially begins in July 2015, CRS Benin expects the in-coming PM II to be available as of June 2015.
Job Summary: Under the supervision of the HoP and in direct coordination with Cooperation Suisse/Benin, the PM II will be responsible for the overall management of the program. This includes coordination with partners including sub-partners, national and local authorities and strategic partners; timely start-up of activities; close financial management; office management; and staff supervision. It is anticipated that the PM II will directly supervise 7 staff.
The PM II will be responsible for ensuring that the final program results are achieved.
It is anticipated that the PM II will spend approximately 50% of his/her time on program quality and 50% of management quality. Thus CRS Benin is looking for an applicant with prior experience managing institutional capacity building in the agricultural sector with a specific accent on increasing women’s economic stature in agriculture.
Job Responsibilities:
Program Quality and Management
• Establish negotiation mechanisms and implementation of partnerships in the context of the project with SPO partners (URP and UDOPER) and their supporting structures
• Ensure the smooth process of the development, adoption, implementation and review of partners action plans, work programs and budget by providing the necessary guidance to ensure compliance against the results of the program and the resources allocated;
• Define and implement the appropriate mechanism for monitoring the implementation of the program
• Organize the planning sessions, the review and evaluation of activities the entire program, including those specific to the Management Unit
• Use appropriate management tools, including IT solutions, to plan, review and track progress on project implementation as well as the utilization of project resources
• Plan for and seek technical assistance from region and HQ
• Support Cooperation Suisse to organize the monitoring of outcomes and capitalize on program experiences;
Program Quality and Management
• Establish negotiation mechanisms and implementation of partnerships in the context of the project with SPO partners (URP and UDOPER) and their supporting structures
• Ensure the smooth process of the development, adoption, implementation and review of partners action plans, work programs and budget by providing the necessary guidance to ensure compliance against the results of the program and the resources allocated;
• Define and implement the appropriate mechanism for monitoring the implementation of the program
• Organize the planning sessions, the review and evaluation of activities the entire program, including those specific to the Management Unit
• Use appropriate management tools, including IT solutions, to plan, review and track progress on project implementation as well as the utilization of project resources
• Plan for and seek technical assistance from region and HQ
• Support Cooperation Suisse to organize the monitoring of outcomes and capitalize on program experiences;
Management Quality and Administration • Oversee program team to: verify that procurement procedures and policies are in place; establish functioning management systems and structures; and maintain transparent financial systems and records
• Responsible for financial management and tracking of project resources, including those of sub recipients and local partners; provide timely support to project partners to enable regular reporting and financial liquidations
• Provide trouble shooting as and when needed to ensure no significant delays
• Ensure CRS is compliant with internal and donor regulations
• Ensure the smooth and efficient daily functioning of the field office
• Responsible for financial management and tracking of project resources, including those of sub recipients and local partners; provide timely support to project partners to enable regular reporting and financial liquidations
• Provide trouble shooting as and when needed to ensure no significant delays
• Ensure CRS is compliant with internal and donor regulations
• Ensure the smooth and efficient daily functioning of the field office
Staff Supervision • Recruit, orient, and support program staff so that program staff can complete their roles and functions to the best of their abilities
• Supervise, lead and coordinate the activities of direct line advisors and assistants and ensure periodic evaluation
• Support the professional development of supervisees, providing timely, respectful feedback to staff
• Maintain positive work environment within field office
• Supervise, lead and coordinate the activities of direct line advisors and assistants and ensure periodic evaluation
• Support the professional development of supervisees, providing timely, respectful feedback to staff
• Maintain positive work environment within field office
Representation and Communication
• Responsible for all representation activities regarding the program
• Ensure the preparation and organization of meetings with the Coordinating Committee and Steering Committee and ensure the implementation of recommendations issued from these bodies.
• Support efficient management of partnerships and facilitate interaction and synergies mechanisms between the project and other programs funded by Cooperation Suisse in Benin
• Assist Cooperation Suisse to ensure complementarities between the PASDER and other Cooperation Suisse programs and with other projects / programs (other PTF) involved in the sector and the harmonization of approaches and intervention strategies
• Regularly prepare and share reports, including success stories
• Regularly communicate and coordinate with project stakeholders and other key partners.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
• Responsible for all representation activities regarding the program
• Ensure the preparation and organization of meetings with the Coordinating Committee and Steering Committee and ensure the implementation of recommendations issued from these bodies.
• Support efficient management of partnerships and facilitate interaction and synergies mechanisms between the project and other programs funded by Cooperation Suisse in Benin
• Assist Cooperation Suisse to ensure complementarities between the PASDER and other Cooperation Suisse programs and with other projects / programs (other PTF) involved in the sector and the harmonization of approaches and intervention strategies
• Regularly prepare and share reports, including success stories
• Regularly communicate and coordinate with project stakeholders and other key partners.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.
• 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:
Senior management team
Senior management team
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Head of Program, Country Representative, Admin/Finance Coordinator, Technical Advisors (Financial Officer, RISA, Agriculture, Gender, Institutional Capacity Building)
Internal: Head of Program, Country Representative, Admin/Finance Coordinator, Technical Advisors (Financial Officer, RISA, Agriculture, Gender, Institutional Capacity Building)
External: Cooperation Suisse/Benin, Ministry of Agriculture, Key partners.
Qualifications • Masters degree in Agriculture, International Development, or related field
• Prior knowledge and experience in agricultural institutional capacity building
• Prior knowledge and experience with gender in agriculture
• Experience in West African agriculture
• Minimum of 5 years program management experience in a developing country
• French fluency, written and spoken
• Previous supervisory experience required
• Ability and willingness to work in remote areas
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, but be self-motivated and accountable for program implementation
• Ability to think and plan strategically; able to multi-task and prioritize
• Strong computer skills.
• Prior knowledge and experience in agricultural institutional capacity building
• Prior knowledge and experience with gender in agriculture
• Experience in West African agriculture
• Minimum of 5 years program management experience in a developing country
• French fluency, written and spoken
• Previous supervisory experience required
• Ability and willingness to work in remote areas
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, but be self-motivated and accountable for program implementation
• Ability to think and plan strategically; able to multi-task and prioritize
• Strong computer skills.
Required Foreign Language: French
Required Travel: Up to 50%
Note:Parakou is an accompanied post, but recommended for spouse and non-school age children only. There is no international school in Parakou, approximately an eight hour drive from Cotonou.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties and responsibilities associated with the position.
Internal applicants are encouraged to apply within the first 10 business days of posting.
CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
EOE/M/D/F/V
