Program Manager for Emergency Response and Partner Capacity Strengthening

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.

CRS established presence in Mozambique in 2017, and has focused on humanitarian response, early childhood development, and social cohesion. CRS works closely with diocesan Caritas and other partners, and currently has offices in Maputo, Nampula and Pemba.

Job Summary

You will manage Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) activities in Cabo Delgado, closely accompanying local implementing partners to ensure implementation of high-quality humanitarian response programsserving the poor and vulnerable and supporting capacity strengthening initiatives. Out of the Pemba sub-office, currently located within the Caritas Pemba compound, you will ensure the effective management of operational systems and resources and the delivery of high-quality programming in coordination with the CRS main office in Maputo.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

Program and Office Management:

• Manage planning and implementation of all key activities in Cabo Delgado. Approve expenses, monitor spending, and make budget adjustments in line with operational and programmatic needs and donor requirements;
• Serve as the security focal point. In close collaboration with the Head of Operations, manage security and mitigate security risks. Ensure a safe work and living environment through leading implementation of safety and security protocols and staff care and well-being best practices;
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports. Monitor and assess performance to ensure adequate capacity;
• Strengthen existing and develop new relationships with local partners, government and community organizations;
• Ensure high-quality project implementation, management, and compliance with programmatic standards, policies and procedures through project review systems and quality control (comprehensive M&E systems, budget review and analysis);
• Monitor day-to-day operations to ensure all operational services (HR, Finance, Supply Chain, Admin, ICT) are delivered with high quality in an efficient manner and adhere to policies. Manage risk and address challenges that affect the proper stewardship, optimal utilization and maintenance of program assets and resources (financial, human, and material);
• Create and maintain the proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for the sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to small deficiencies.

Partner Accompaniment and Capacity Strengthening:

• Participate and support partners in institutional capacity assessments and action plan development;
• In collaboration with partners, design and implement effective work plans that allow for timely implementation and progress review of all capacity strengthening plans;
• Provide technical support to partners in implementing capacity strengthening plans, including establishing/strengthening systems, policies and procedures;
• Conduct capacity building, accompaniment and institutional strengthening activities where feasible, and support identification of subject-matter experts and planning and organization of activities to be conducted by them;
• Ensure partners are trained in and knowledgeable of all donor requirements and deadlines;
• Participate and support partners in SRFMP and HOCAI assessments, partnership scorecard application, monitoring and audits, and overall program reviews and evaluations as appropriate;
• Provide or work with relevant staff to provide training to partners in applying tools (SRFMP, HOCAI, partnership scorecard), implementing plans, establishing/strengthening systems, policies and procedures in areas identified as per assessments;
• Work with Business Development Advisor to ensure partners are trained in and knowledgeable of all donor requirements and deadlines;
• Develop partner capacity building in the project cycle design and management;
• Work with Meal Manager to leverage partner capacity on MEAL Policies and Procedures;
• Proactively seek out advice, support and any other technical assistance required by partner to ensure timely compliance and effective implementation of capacity strengthening plans;

Communication and relationship management:

• Ensure effective and appropriate communication with partners in relation to partnership and capacity strengthening;
• Provide periodic updates to Country Manager and partner at all levels on assessments, action plans, and achievements, as well training and technical support provided to partners in terms of partnership and capacity strengthening;
• Ensure CRS and partners maintain strong and healthy relationship;
• Identify any gaps in communication and partner relationships and share with relevant staff and ensure corrective measures are taken in a timely manner.

Qualifications

• University degree in project management, organizational development or related fields. Master’s degree an advantage;
• At least 5 years’ experience working for international organization in humanitarian programming/ emergency response;
• Significant experience collaborating with local NGOs, institutional strengthening and partnership building;
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship;
• Familiarity and understanding of the Catholic Church an advantage;
• Possess the ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment;
• Stong planning, coordination, analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Experience working with projects funded by multiple public donors, including USAID;
• Staff management experience;
• Knowledge of procurement and general office administrative/management issues

Required Languages – Fluency in spoken and written Portuguese required. Verbal proficiency in English required. English writing skills an advantage.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel frequently within Cabo Delgado, and periodically to other provinces within Mozambique. International travel may be occasionally required.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions;
•  Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest;
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions;
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams;
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation;
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance;
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervise the M&E Manager and Safeguarding Advisor. Dotted line management of operations staff (Supply Chain Officer, Driver).

Key Working Relationships

• Internal – Program office: Senior Management Team;
• Internal – Regional & Global: TA for Emergency Programming Quality, MEAL Advisor, partnership advisors;
• External – Local implementing partners, including Caritas, UN clusters, District Administrators.

***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 prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Reports to: Country Manager

Department: Country Programming

Salary Grade: 9