Nepal: Program Manager

Dec 16, 2015 | Catholic Relief Services
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As the Nepal program transitions from emergency response into recovery, resilience and development programming, the Livelihoods PM II will have overall responsibility for the development, implementation and oversight of high quality livelihoods programming in Nepal. He/She will work with the country program and sub regional team to finalise the CRS Nepal Livelihoods Strategy, and will assist the country program to strengthen and reinforce the managerial and technical capacity of the program team in project development, implementation, monitoring, learning, reporting, and financial management

About CRS:
Catholic Relief Services 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.

Background:
Following the massive earthquake in April 2015 which leveled more than 500,000 houses and claimed 8,669 lives, CRS is providing life-saving support in some of the worst affected, hard-to-reach parts of Nepal. Programming to date has focused on providing materials and cash for transitional shelter, household asset recovery, market recovery and essential WASH needs, winterization and permanent shelter reconstruction through promotion of building-back better techniques.

CRS' market recovery work includes supporting the rehabilitation of 3 markets in Gorkha District which are key for providing goods and services to surrounding areas, including remote mountainous zones. Activities include shelter support and cash grants for market restoration. CRS is also distributing one-off multi-purpose cash grants (MPGs) to earthquake-affected households. Livelihoods assessments are ongoing, and over the coming months, efforts will shift to include cash-for-work (CFW) activities that will improve rural-North/urban-Market hubs linkages and that will focus on working with affected families to diversify livelihoods and income-generating options, increase agriculture yields, and reduce seed loss.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Support recruitment, development and retention of the CRS Nepal Livelihoods Team
  • Support the development and growth of CRS Nepal Livelihoods Programs
  • Provide oversight of implementation and quality of all Livelihoods programs
  • Ensure timely and efficient program and budget management and reporting of livelihoods programs, as per CRS and donor requirements
  • Increase and support intentional integration of protection, partnership and gender equity across programmes

Leadership

  • Provide leadership and program guidance by applying critical, innovative, problem-solving and forward-looking thinking and planning from program design through implementation of high-quality programs in line with CRS PIQA principles.
  • Nurture a work environment that emphasizes the importance of learning, productivity, accountability, openness about challenges, and adjustment to new information and new realities.
  • Participate in strategic planning meetings and activities
  • Attend relevant interagency, sector coordination, and representational meetings as required
  • Evaluate, motivate and challenge staff to improve performance and overall commitment to program quality and innovation in line with the CRS Performance Planning System.
  • Support development and growth of national livelihoods staff

Program Design and Review

  • Work with CRS and CN technical advisors to provide technical leadership on the development and start-up of long term livelihood activities, including needs assessments, strategic design, proposal development, recruitment/capacity building of livelihoods staff and representation of CRS/Caritas Nepal in livelihoods meetings, including co-lead of Cash Coordination Group (CCG)
  • Support the development of high quality proposals that follow Propack and East and South Asia Regional guidance and/or donor specific guidance. Support the review process of project proposals before submission to regional office and donors;
  • Ensure the collection and analysis of accurate market data (quantitative and qualitative), to be used in decision-making for improved program performance;
  • Coordinate with clusters and GoN to select priority CFW locations/activities; ensure compliance with GoN approval and implementation requirements

Program Implementation

  • Provide technical support and overall management/monitoring guidance as needed
  • Lead ongoing livelihood projects, including market support and cash grants distribution, ensuring that activities are accomplished with quality and on time
  • Start up and oversee the implementation of CFW activities to improve market access and community infrastructure
  • Support Budget Management of livelihood programs
  • Ensure compliance with GoN approval and documentation requirements

MEAL and Beneficiary Accountability

  • Ensure that CRS program quality standards, particularly integration of protection, gender and agency core competencies such as MEAL, are adhered to in programs/projects.
  • Ensure active participation of beneficiaries and other stakeholders in program activities.
  • Ensure transparent and effective targeting of project participants based on clear criteria and participatory methods.
  • Manage an effective mechanism for collecting and responding to feedback from the communities and project participants.

Partnership

  • Maintain and strengthen partner relations and engage in the identification of new potential partners (including private sector and other civil society organizations) with whom CRS has a common vision.
  • Build CRS staff capacity in partnership, in line with the global Strength in Solidarity project. Ensure that all program staff and key partner staff are aware of CRS partnership principles and have access to tools to support capacity strengthening of partners.
  • In collaboration with the HoP and the Operations Manager, support the institutional strengthening of all CRS South Sudan implementing partners through regular interaction, mentoring, and monitoring.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to 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 guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and 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

Supervisory Responsibilities:

To be determined - but would supervise livelihoods officer / teams

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Program Lead/Gorkha, Head of Programming/India, Team Lead, Program Managers and other Technical Advisors/Managers, HRD Emergency markets TAs.

External: Caritas Nepal and other CI MO staff as appropriate; Cash and markets staff from other INGOs; Cash and Early Recovery cluster representatives

Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in development, economics or related studies.
  • At least 5 years of professional experience implementing agriculture and livelihoods and/or cash/market-based programs.
  • Demonstrated skills in agriculture based livelihoods development and cash and markets programs
  • Experience in program design, budgets and planning processes
  • Experience managing staff
  • Familiarity with Sphere standards and SEEP's Minimum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS)
  • Knowledge of CRS and/ or demonstrated ability to manage partnership with Caritas
  • Ability and proven experience transferring knowledge through formal and informal training.
  • Excellent writing, editing and publication skills, including photography and videography.
  • Excellent presentation and communication skills.
  • Team-oriented and strong interpersonal skills.
  • Strong group process design and facilitation skills.
  • Flexibility and ability to motivate.
  • Familiarity with land tenure issues, "build back better" standards, or Nepali context a plus.

Physical Requirements/Environment:

The position is based in Gorkha, Nepal, with national travel, as required - up to 40%. Travel within Nepal includes areas with limited amenities.

Foreign Language Required:

Excellent English oral and written communication skills required; knowledge of Nepali local languages desired.

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.