Program Manager II – STaR Project, Cameroon

Job Summary:

The Stabilization and Reconciliation Project in the Lake Chad Region (STaR), funded by BMZ/KfW, is a five-year project that aims to support the recovery and build the resilience of vulnerable populations affected by the protracted crisis in the Lake Chad basin. Through a multi-sector approach, the STaR project enables communities and individuals to feel safer and more cohesive, equitably improve their livelihoods, be more resilient to ongoing shocks and stressors, to use non-violent and inclusive means to resolve their differences and nurture hope and optimism for the future. The first two years of the project (phase 1) were implemented in Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. The next three years (Phase 2) has expanded the project to include the Far North of Cameroon. The project includes four key outputs: (A) Productive and social infrastructure; (B) Economic Revitalization; (C) Strengthening of social cohesion; and (D) Strengthening local governance capacities. The project currently extends until September 2024.

As Program Manager, you will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the STaR Phase II project in Cameroon, ensuring 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 ensure that the country program (CP) delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of the project. The position is based in Maroua, Cameroon.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of the STaR Phase II project’s resilience and recovery activities in the Far North Cameroon with interventions in community infrastructure; agriculture and rural livelihoods; social cohesion; and local governance. Throughout the project cycle, ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Effectively supervise and manage talent for the project in Cameroon, including a team of up 10-15 staff. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Lead the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in the relevant program sectors and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency and project knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
• Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals in per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Oversee the identification, assessment, and strengthening of partnerships relevant to the project and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Collaborate with other CRS staff in Maroua and the senior management team to lead local representation for CRS to the local diocese and state/local government in the Far North, ensuring Church and government authorities are regularly updated on CRS work in the area and that CRS activities align with local Church and host government strategies/initiatives, where possible.
• Ensure CRS’ active participation and/or leadership in local sectoral or multi-sectoral coordination and security forums and the regular sharing of information and data internally within CRS and with other agencies to inform collective analysis and planning.
• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Monitor staff adherence to security protocols, including ensuring that project staff are aware of, and comply with, CRS personnel safety and security policies and procedures and the dissemination of safety and security SoPs/plans.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Required Languages – Excellent French and English, oral and written communication skills required. Knowledge of other local languages a plus.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 35%.

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 inter-personal skills. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Excellent presentation, facilitation, and communication skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
• Excellent writing, editing, and publication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors.
• Experience managing complex local procurement processes.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
• MEAL skills and experience required.
• Knowledge of CRS and/or demonstrated ability to manage partnerships with faith-based and secular partners.
• Ability and proven experience transferring knowledge through formal and informal training.
• Familiarity with Sphere standards.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Up to 6 direct reports or matrix-management reports, including Infrastructure Manager, Livelihoods Manager, Social Cohesion/Governance Manager, MEAL Officer, Procurement Officer, and Finance Officer

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Chief of Party (based in Abuja, Nigeria), Project MEAL Manager, Cameroon/Chad Country Representative, Head of Programming, Head of Operations, Finance Manager, Cameroon MEAL Coordinator.

External: Donor officials, local partners, church authorities, government ministries and agencies, local and international NGOs, coordination platforms and working groups, community leaders.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in International Development, Economics, International Relations, Civil or Structural Engineering, or related studies required. 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 emergency, recovery, and/or resilience programming, preferably in emergency settings. Experience with community infrastructure construction/rehabilitation programming is a plus.
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects with an international NGO in volatile security environments.

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

***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.

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

Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer