Deputy Program Coordinator, Cameroon

Job Title: Deputy Program Coordinator
Department/Country: Programs/Cameroon
Position Type: Full Time, short-term (12 months)
Band: D
FLSA: Exempt
Job Location: Bertoua, East Region - Cameroon
Reports To: Program Coordinator

**This position is contingent on donor funding.**

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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.

CRS has been working in Cameroon since 1961, with the main office in the capital Yaoundé. The current portfolio is largely health and emergencies oriented: one health program funded by USAID/PEPFAR currently provides services to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Emergency programs improve WASH, social services and livelihood opportunities for host communities and Central African refugees in the east. In addition, CRS is supporting the Church’s National Justice and Peace program as well as programming in the Far North region through a program for inter-religious dialogue.

Background:

Known as a relatively stable country, Cameroon has long been a haven for refugees from Central African Republic (CAR), Nigeria, and elsewhere. Since the most recent conflict began in CAR in late 2013, an additional 150,662 CAR refugees have fled to Cameroon, bringing the total to 250,569. Of this population, 177,613 reside in the East region of Cameroon, vastly overwhelming the region’s limited resources. While the region is relatively calm, tensions around access to resources threaten to increase, and many fear that the violence in CAR may spill over to East Cameroon. In response to these identified needs, CRS proposed an integrated program focusing on education, the promotion of peaceful coexistence between refugees and the local population, and the specific needs of persons with disabilities and older persons.

CRS looks to implement the Integrated Social Assistance Program II (ISAP II) from January – December 2017. The program will use a multi-sector approach to address the needs of refugees from the Central African Republic, along with their host communities. The program will address five objectives: 1) Community mobilization; 2) Social cohesion; 3) Education; 4) Community services and 5) Livelihood. ISAP II will be based out of a regional sub-office in Batouri, with field offices in Bertoua and Garoua Boulai. CRS will implement the program directly.

Job Summary:

CRS is looking for a Deputy Program Coordinator for the upcoming ISAP II. The Deputy Program Coordinator will be responsible for working with the Program Coordinator to ensure the success of ISAP II. In collaboration with the Project Coordinator, (s) he will effectively manage and leverage project resources to meet deliverables, as agreed with UNHCR. (S) He will coordinate day-to-day activities and support the supervision of the sectoral Program Managers to achieve program results.

Specific Responsibilities:

To work with the Project Coordinator (PC) to ensure that services are managed efficiently and effectively and in accordance to the project aims and values of the organization. The Deputy Project Coordinator will work with, and cover specific functions of, the Project Coordinator where appropriate. (S)he is responsible for supporting the Project Coordinator in:

Leadership and Representation

1. Carrying out strategic vision and leadership to the CRS project team;
2. Serve as primary point of contact for key in-country stakeholders, including the Government of Cameroon, UNHCR, and peer organizations;
3. Represent CRS and the project at all relevant donor and stakeholder meetings.

Program Quality and Management

1. Oversee the planning and implementation of all project activities and set high quality performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices, and donor guidelines;
2. Ensure strong communication and coordination between CRS, UNHCR, and the Government of Cameroon as a means to effectively achieve program objectives;
3. Emphasize and ensure the multi-sector project is implemented in an integrated manner by coordinating between sectoral Program Managers and between sectoral working groups at the regional level;
4. In collaboration with the PC, MEAL Manager, and sectoral Program Managers, direct the measurement, documentation, analysis and reporting of project performance and outcomes.
5. Ensure implementation of strong MEAL systems using CRS tools and resources, including MEAL in Emergencies guidance, to maximize project impact on beneficiaries;
6. Coordinate development of monthly narrative reports and quarterly financial reports;
7. Work with PC to proactively seek technical input from relevant HRD Sectoral TAs;
8. Work with PC to effectively integrate ICT4D as a tool for data collection and management;
9. Work with PC and gender focal point to ensure effective gender and protection mainstreaming;
10. Help plan and coordinate appropriate learning activities and project reviews;
11. Ensure project documents are complete in Gateway.

Budgeting, Financial Planning, and Compliance

1. Ensure project compliance with UNHCR regulations and CRS policies;
2. With support from the Country Program finance team, review monthly budget comparison reports and assess spending rates;
3. Ensure a timely pace of implementation, with spending in line with budget forecasts;
4. Approve project expenditures, carry out regular budget tracking, and take the lead on official requests for modifications when needed;
5. Ensure project implements and adheres to approved marketing and branding plan.

Coordination and Communication

1. Maintain regular and strong communication with all partners, with in-country external stakeholders and with other CRS colleagues and Regional staff, including Technical Advisors, as appropriate;
2. Ensure representation and participation of ISAP at UNHCR and other relevant working group meetings in Bertoua, Batouri, Yokadouma and Garoua Boulai;
3. Work closely with relevant support teams to ensure systems are in place that will enable timely receipt and distribution of all project materials and supplies;
4. Implement activities in strict accordance to the CRS Field Security Plan and any additional protocols put in place to ensure staff safety.

Supervision

1. Ensure annual performance planning and reviews of staff performance in keeping with CRS’ performance management system;
2. Mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity and teamwork;
3. Explore opportunities for capacity-building of national staff, particularly with regard to managing an emergency program;
4. Ensure staff compliance with all CRS administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations.

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

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.

MEAL Competencies
Within the agency’s MEAL Competencies Model, these are identified as key MEAL competencies related to the program manager’s roles and responsibilities.

• MEAL in Design
• ICT for MEAL
• Learning
• Management in MEAL

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position will directly supervise all those who will be placed under her/his responsibility.

**
Key Working Relationships:**
Internal: Program Coordinator, program staff.
External: UNHCR, peer organizations, Cameroon Government Ministries, other stakeholders

Required Qualifications and Experience:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in social services, humanitarian response, education, conflict resolution/peacebuilding (or related field), or equivalent professional field experience at a senior level;
2. Minimum of 2-3 years managing projects in development and/or emergency contexts, with at least 1 years’ experience managing projects in emergency context;
3. Minimum 3 years living and working in a developing country;
4. Demonstrated expertise working in Africa in at least one or more of the sectors: education, social cohesion (or peacebuilding), or community services (or protection);
5. Demonstrated experience working on refugee-related projects (experience managing UNHCR funded projects a plus);
6. Demonstrated experience with programming to address conflict sensitivity, gender mainstreaming, and inclusion of people with disabilities;
7. Excellent leadership, budget/financial management, analytical, communication and project specific technical skills;
8. Ability to lead a multi-cultural team with a high level of respect for local culture, working with national staff in overseas offices;
9. Demonstrated ability to work under remote supervision and to manage team members remotely;
10. Outstanding communication skills, including professional proficiency and excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and French;
11. Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point);
12. Willingness and ability to live and work in sub-office environment with minimal expatriate community presence;
13. Willingness and ability to travel frequently throughout the East region and between Yaoundé and the East region.

Required Language: French (English and Fulani a plus)

Required Travel: Frequent travel by vehicle to Batouri and the two field offices in Garoua Boulai and Yokadouma as well as to remote project sites.

Work Environment:

The East Region occupies the southeastern portion of the Republic of Cameroon. It is bordered to the east by the Central African Republic, to the south by Congo, to the north by the Adamawa Region, and to the west by the Centre and South Regions. With 109,011 km² of territory, it is the largest region in the nation as well as the most sparsely populated. Bertoua, his chief place and most cities of this region are limited infrastructure. Electrical blackouts are frequent, and a generator for the office will be supplied. Internet service is also limited. Markets offer a variety of goods, and there are several local restaurants.

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

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:

Apply online: http://bit.ly/2j1GZ1w