JOB DESCRIPTION
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.
Background:
CRS programs in Indonesia, Timor Leste , the Philippines, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Pacific Outreach constitute the East Asia and the Pacific sub-regional hub with overall leadership from the Sub-regional Country Representative (CR). The Sub-region encompasses some of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. In recent years, CRS has also started to provide support to Caritas Oceania to assist organization development and build emergency preparedness capacities of Caritas partner organizations across Pacific.
CRS has been operating in FSM and Pacific Outreach since 2017, implementing programing in Disaster Risk Reduction, Resilient Agriculture, WASH, Microfinance, Disaster Response and COVID programming. CRS has offices in both Yap and Chuuk States and works with the Catholic Church in Pohnpei and has already established a reputation with key government stakeholders, partners and donors for being a reliable partner for immediate response and recovery support in times of urgent need (such as Typhoon Wutip and 2019 dengue outbreak in FSM and COVID-19 response in FSM and across Pacific Outreach) as well as building community resilience to future disasters through Disaster Risk Reduction programs. CRS recognizes that disasters and community needs are increasingly related to climate change, which affect the food security, water security, and economic livelihoods of communities in FSM and across Pacific Outreach. CRS is committed to remaining a reliable rapid responder in times of need and will continue to engage and strengthen the capacity of local actors and key government stakeholders.
Job Summary:
This position is dependent on donor funding. The position will be based with one of the implementing partners ( Caritas Fiji, Caritas Samoa or Caritas Tonga). We strongly encourage qualified candidates from Fiji, Tonga and Samoa to apply
CRS is seeking a Program Manager for USAID / Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA) funded 2-year project that will be implemented in the Republic of Fiji, the Independent State of Samoa, and the Kingdom of Tonga with local Caritas partners. The project is anticipated to start in May 2023.
You will manage and provide technical oversight of the implementation of the complex WASH Expansion, Resilient Islands, Strengthened Environments (WE RISE) project. The project aims to assure at-risk communities have adequate and climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene services and infrastructure to meet their needs and prepare for disaster events.
You will ensure effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will enable the WE RISE project to deliver high-quality programming and continuously contributes towards improving the overall impact of CRS’ Disaster Risk Reduction / Change Adaptation and Emergency Response programming.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of the WE RISE project and its relevant WASH components throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices, contributing to overall quality impact of CP’s climate resilience, Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response programming.
- Effectively coordinate with and provide technical support to WE RISE partner project staff. Provide coaching, and strategically tailored technical support to partner staff to ensure local partners’ programming, operations, and finance capacities are strengthened and sustained.
- Lead the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in the area of WASH, Disaster Risk Reduction, Emergency Response . Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices to enhance program quality and impact.
- Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals in Disaster Risk Reduction/ Climate Change Adaptation and Emergency Response per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
- Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
- Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
- Coordinate with local partners and other stakeholders during future local emergencies
QUALIFICATIONS
Basic Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations with technical expertise in the field of WASH, Disaster Risk Reduction/ Climate Change Adaptation or equivalent. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of WASH, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation or Emergency Response.
- Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.
Required Languages – English
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
- Strong relations management abilities and excellent partnership skills. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
- Good presentation and facilitation skills
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
Preferred Qualifications
- Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
- Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
- Experience in capacity strengthening of local partner organizations
- MEAL skills and experience required.
- Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
- Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
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.
- Integrity
- Continuous Improvement & Innovation
- Builds Relationships
- Develops Talent
- Strategic Mindset
- Accountability & Stewardship
Supervisory Responsibilities: None. This position will provide implementation oversight, technical support and mentoring to implementing partners’ staff in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Country Manager, Subregional Head of Programs, MEAL Technical Advisor, Operations and Finance Team, HRD and Regional Technical Advisors
External: Implementing partners Caritas Samoa, Caritas Tonga, Caritas Fili, relevant government departments in Fili, Samoa and Tonga, INGOs and donor reps.
***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
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.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
