Deadline: Ongoing
The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is currently seeking applications from the eligible applicants for the post of Head of Programming, based in Conakry, Guinea.
CRS carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas.
Key Job Responsibilities
The Head of Programming will perform the following functions-
- In coordination with the Country Representative and respective technical resource persons, oversee the development of the CRS Guinea country specific Strategic Program Plan that is in accordance with the CRS global and regional strategies and reflects the visions of the local partners;
- Identifies program priorities and take a lead role in developing a strategic plan to grow projects (with partners, CP staff, regional/HQ technical advisors, Business Development Team, etc)
- Assesses environment as well as CRS’ strengths/opportunities.
- Networks and identifies potential partnerships and consortiums for proposals.
- Proactively cultivates new partner and donor relationships.
- Prompts staff and partners to identify new opportunities.
- Incorporates innovative and emerging trends into new or existing programs (when appropriate).
- Mobilizes proposal design teams to draft and submit proposals that efficiently include value-adding input from diverse sources.
- Regularly reviews progress against indicators.
- Ensure that CRS/Guinea programs adhere to all CRS-approved Program Quality Standards within the framework of Catholic Social Teaching.
- Support program and partner staff in designing and conducting baseline surveys, mid-term evaluations, and final evaluations as per the program’s approved M&E plan.
- Ensures program staff is familiar with CRS program design tools, Propack 1, II and SMILER.
- Understands the interdependencies between PQ and MQ processes, and identifies and coordinates with Operations to resolve resulting issues promptly and promote operational excellence in the program.
- Promotes knowledge management and risk management as a part of all staff’s responsibilities.
- Ensures detailed and realistic project implementation plans are developed with staff and partners.
- Regularly travels to the field to visit projects and support further progress.
- Supports accountability, learning and innovation in key areas of both management and program quality.
- Ensures high quality and timely reporting for internal and external use.
- Organizes the team’s work around shared vision and goals.
- Hold regular program team meetings and ensures action points from team meetings are accomplished.
- Works collaboratively with staff and keeps them well informed.
- Promotes positive conflict resolution and ongoing learning among the team(s).
- Supports staff and local partners to build effective relationships founded on respect and trust.
- Approaches other people and their views with diplomacy, humility, and integrity.
- Responsible for ensuring that Programming staff are well-equipped to properly manage their budgets;
- Overall responsible to ensure that each project budget in CRS Guinea is well managed and adheres to donor intent and regulations;
- Approve release of resources (cash and/ or commodities) to partners/projects as per approved plans and agreements and reimbursement and/or liquidations of project expenditures.
- Coordinate preparation of the annual budget (APP) in programming department.
- Directly supervises 4 to 5 staff
- Orients new staff to CRS values, culture, tools and processes.
- Meets regularly with individual staff members for coaching, mentoring, and support.
- Delegates’ opportunities to staff that are suited to their skills and further growth.
- Promotes the ongoing development of program staff skills (in technical and non-technical topics) in areas where they lack capacity.
- Provides timely, constructive and meaningful feedback.
- Coaches staff on building effective partnerships.
- Completes all aspects of CRS performance management on time and effectively.
- Utilizes regional and headquarters resources (including regional/HQ technical advisors, Business Development Team, etc.) to further the development of staff.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have-
- Master’s degree in Community or International Development, Social Sciences, or related discipline, or an equivalent University degree with extensive fieldwork experience over and above listed below.
- At least 4-6 years’ experience in program management.
- Demonstrated experience managing directly a large multicultural staff for at least 2 years.
- Experience working in Africa desirable.
- Professional proficiency in French and English
- Experience in program design/development and implementation (Design, monitoring, evaluation & reporting)
- Excellent partnership skills and the ability to interact effectively with donors, collaborating agencies, and local partners.
- Demonstrated strengths in relationship management; strong cross-cultural skills.
- Excellent organization and planning skills; detail-oriented, adaptable, flexible
- Excellent command of written and spoken English.
- Computer literate (Word, Excel, Outlook Express, Internet Explorer).
How to Apply
Applicants must create an online profile to apply for the position.
For more information, please visit CRS.
