Program Manager I – Emergency Response and Recovery

Position Title: Program Manager I - Emergency Response and Recovery
Dept/Location:Boda, Central African Republic (CAR)
Region: Central Africa (CARO)
Job Band:D
Reports to: Head of Office

Background:
CRS operates in the Central African Republic in a challenging and complex humanitarian crisis environment, and has been working in the country since 2007, with the main office in the capital Bangui and current field offices for a USAID-funded program in the cities of Obo, Zemio, and Rafai in the southeast of the country, and Bossangoa and Bouar in the northwest. CRS expanded programming to Bossangoa and Boda to respond to the emergency and early recovery needs of the conflict-affected population, who continue to be severely impacted by the political transition following the coup of March 2013. CRS's current program portfolio includes: community-based early warning systems, food security, agriculture recovery, livelihoods/cash assistance, and social cohesion/peacebuilding.

CRS is seeking an Emergency Response and Recovery Program Manager to support assessment, program development, implementation, operations, monitoring and reporting.

Primary Responsibilities:
The Program Manager (PM) will ensure high quality implementation of the emergency response and recovery programs under her/his direct management and supervision. All activities and projects will include the mainstreaming of protection and conflict sensitivity/social cohesion, with close collaboration with Peacebuilding PM to ensure synchronicity between projects. Project management includes both technical and budgetary oversight, and working closely with local partners. The PM will be responsible for preparing donor and other external reports, as well as for maintaining close professional relationships with other nongovernmental actors, UN Agencies and relevant cluster leads. In this role, s/he will be responsible for supporting local partners to develop capacity in various aspects of program management. Finally, s/he will be responsible for contributing to the identification of gaps within the sector of emergency response and recovery and the development of projects in response to those gaps.

Job Responsibilities:
Program Quality and Management

• 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.
• Develop and implement strong MEAL systems using CRS tools and resources to maximize project impact on project participants.
• 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 follow up with potential TA from the region/external, as appropriate.
• Collaborate with other CRS and Caritas Network 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, social cohesion and reconciliation; shelter; food security; and livelihoods recovery.
• Maintain up to date documentation related to project approval, monitoring and implementation.
• Promote strong linkages and exchange with other CRS/CAR programming in relevant emergency response/recovery program areas to ensure the sharing of best practices and expertise across the country program.
• Closely monitor events in CAR (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.

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.

Administration/Finance

• Ensure the financial management of projects assigned to PM, as per the project budget.
• Review project expenses and cash pipeline and coordinate liquidations with CRS Finance and partners
• Ensure that program activities comply with CRS financial guidelines, policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ensure that all project documentation is well organized and easy to access on Sharepoint.

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, as requested.
• 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

• Ensure proper financial management systems are in place and followed 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.
• Review project expenses and cash pipeline and coordinate liquidations with CRS Finance and partners

Coordination and Communication

• Represent CRS in coordination cluster meetings.
• Support the research, documentation and sharing of lessons learned/best practices for CRS emergency interventions.

Security

• Adhere 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:Project Officers

Key Relationships:
Internal: Country Representative, Head of Programs, other PMs, Grants Compliance Officer, Finance staff.

External: local Caritas program staff, other local partner staff, UN agency representatives, representatives of other humanitarian agencies.

Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in international relations, international development or related field.
• Minimum 2 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 Church partners.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English.
• 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 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.

Physical Requirements/Environment:The position is based in Boda (Lobaye Province). Field office has basic living and work environments, with shared housing accommodation.

Foreign Language Required:
Excellent English and French language oral and written communication skills required; knowledge of Sango or other local languages desired.

Disclaimer Clause:This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Due to the environment of the job location, this position is a non-accompanied post.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

NOTE: All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application.

Internal applicants are encouraged to apply within the first 10 days of posting.

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

EOE/M/F/D/V

HOW TO APPLY:

https://www5.apply2jobs.com/CRS/ProfExt/index.cfm?fuseaction=mExternal.s...