Job Title: Program Manager II-DFAP Technical Design Lead
Dept./Location: CARO/Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Band: D
FLSA:Exempt
Reports To: Business Development Specialist
About CRS:
Dept./Location: CARO/Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Band: D
FLSA:Exempt
Reports To: Business Development Specialist
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:
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the most populous, vast, and resource-rich countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Decades of mismanagement, neglected infrastructure, corruption, and conflict involving seven national armies over the course of 20 years have left the Congo with an 80 percent poverty rate, an annual per capita income of just over $120, inadequate social and health services, and weak governmental institutions.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the most populous, vast, and resource-rich countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Decades of mismanagement, neglected infrastructure, corruption, and conflict involving seven national armies over the course of 20 years have left the Congo with an 80 percent poverty rate, an annual per capita income of just over $120, inadequate social and health services, and weak governmental institutions.
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. CRS has operated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 1961, successfully implementing programs in health; agriculture livelihoods; emergency; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); education; protection; and peace-building. Today, the DRC is among the agency’s top twelve priority countries, with a FY15 budget of nearly $25 million. CRS/DRC currently has over 170 national and 25 international staff operating out of a national office in Kinshasa; four sub-offices in Goma (North Kivu), Bukavu (South Kivu), Kananga (Kasai Occidental), and Lubumbashi (Katanga); and several satellite offices.
In FY2016, CRS/DRC will apply for an expected USAID 5-year DFAP cooperative agreement. Preparation of a competitive proposal requires many months of work, both before and after USAID’s release of the RFA. The primary role of the DFAP Technical Design Lead is to coordinate development of overall technical approaches and design frameworks, while ensuring quality completion of the full technical narrative.
Specific Responsibilities:
• Works with Sector Technical Leads to develop a holistic/integrated program approach and strategy:
o Ensures project design is linked to specific local context (problem statement)
o Ensures cohesive approach to beneficiary and geographic targeting
o Ensures strong exit/sustainability strategy
o Ensures appropriate integration/coordination within the project and between the project, other projects and government initiatives
• Participates (Co-facilitates) project design workshop(s)
• Ensures alignment of approaches/strategies with donor priorities, country specific guidance, CRS/industry best practices, and local realities
• Advises decision-maker on necessary technical partners, appropriately qualified implementing partners, and other private partners as relevant, and contributes to scopes of works as requested
• Coordinates development of design frameworks (e.g. Results Framework, Proframe, Detailed Implementation Plan)
• Coordinates with Management Lead to ensure a management and staffing structure that reflects the technical design
• Works with Management Lead and M&E Lead to define Trigger Indicators and Early Warning System
• Writes technical sections as assigned
• Compiles all technical sections into a single coherent and consistent technical narrative that responds to the RFA, USAID FtF priorities, and includes CRS/industry best practices
• Provides input on budget and M&E sections to ensure alignment with technical sections
• Revises technical narrative, based on feedback, as per proposal timeline and needs
• Works with proposal coordinator and Sector Technical Leads to address all technical threshold comments
• Ensures entire technical application meets USAID and CRS standards for quality, responsiveness to RFA, completeness and competitiveness
Specific Responsibilities:
• Works with Sector Technical Leads to develop a holistic/integrated program approach and strategy:
o Ensures project design is linked to specific local context (problem statement)
o Ensures cohesive approach to beneficiary and geographic targeting
o Ensures strong exit/sustainability strategy
o Ensures appropriate integration/coordination within the project and between the project, other projects and government initiatives
• Participates (Co-facilitates) project design workshop(s)
• Ensures alignment of approaches/strategies with donor priorities, country specific guidance, CRS/industry best practices, and local realities
• Advises decision-maker on necessary technical partners, appropriately qualified implementing partners, and other private partners as relevant, and contributes to scopes of works as requested
• Coordinates development of design frameworks (e.g. Results Framework, Proframe, Detailed Implementation Plan)
• Coordinates with Management Lead to ensure a management and staffing structure that reflects the technical design
• Works with Management Lead and M&E Lead to define Trigger Indicators and Early Warning System
• Writes technical sections as assigned
• Compiles all technical sections into a single coherent and consistent technical narrative that responds to the RFA, USAID FtF priorities, and includes CRS/industry best practices
• Provides input on budget and M&E sections to ensure alignment with technical sections
• Revises technical narrative, based on feedback, as per proposal timeline and needs
• Works with proposal coordinator and Sector Technical Leads to address all technical threshold comments
• Ensures entire technical application meets USAID and CRS standards for quality, responsiveness to RFA, completeness and competitiveness
Supervisory Responsibilities:
• DFAP Sector Technical Leads
• DFAP Sector Technical Leads
Key Relationships:
Internal: Country Representative, Deputy CR – Programs, Sector Coordinators, MEAL/ICT4D Coordinator, Business Development Specialist, Grant Compliance Manager, Finance Manager, CARO DRD PQ, CARO RTAs, HQ based Public Donor Liaison, HQ technical staff.
Internal: Country Representative, Deputy CR – Programs, Sector Coordinators, MEAL/ICT4D Coordinator, Business Development Specialist, Grant Compliance Manager, Finance Manager, CARO DRD PQ, CARO RTAs, HQ based Public Donor Liaison, HQ technical staff.
External: Donors, partner INGOs and local NGOs, partner Caritas offices, DRC ministry staff.
Competencies: 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
Qualifications: • Existing senior CRS staff member with HoP, DFAP CoP, or MYAP Coordinator experience
• Strong English writing skills; previous Title II writing experience strongly preferred
• Experience writing technical sections of proposals
• Strong understanding on project design; familiarity with Propack I preferred
• Familiarity with the CRS project design frameworks tool (or similar tools)
• Familiarity with Title II
• French language skills strongly preferred
• Able to be engaged in the process for several months
Competencies: 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
Qualifications: • Existing senior CRS staff member with HoP, DFAP CoP, or MYAP Coordinator experience
• Strong English writing skills; previous Title II writing experience strongly preferred
• Experience writing technical sections of proposals
• Strong understanding on project design; familiarity with Propack I preferred
• Familiarity with the CRS project design frameworks tool (or similar tools)
• Familiarity with Title II
• French language skills strongly preferred
• Able to be engaged in the process for several months
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 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
