Nigeria: Program Manager II - Food for Peace

Dec 5, 2016 | Catholic Relief Services
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Under the direction of the Emergency Coordinator the PM I Food-For-Peace Program Manager will ensure high quality implementation of CRS FFP emergency program in Borno state, Nigeria. The project manager will be responsible for all aspects of program implementation including planning, coordination of, management and reporting of project activities.

In May 2013, the Government of Nigeria (GON) declared a State of Emergency (SOE) in the northeastern (NE) states of Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa in response to ongoing conflict. The economic system of the NE region has been severely disrupted, with serious impact on agricultural and income generating activities, resulting in reduced purchasing power at the household (HH) level. In the NE states, an estimated 2.1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) are currently living with host families or in camps. Borno state is the worst affected and currently home for the biggest IDP population in Nigeria with over 1.5 million IDPs.

Over recent months, the humanitarian situation in Borno has deteriorated significantly. The re-opening of Local Government Areas (LGAs) which were previously inaccessible has led to new IDP locations in the state, while ongoing conflict has resulted in the influx of more IDPs into Maiduguri metropolis and establishment of satellite camps in the state. Ongoing sector needs include, among others, food security, nutrition, shelter, WASH, psycho-social support, and livelihoods.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has worked in Nigeria for more than 25 years. Through local partners, CRS has implemented programs in 24 of the country’s 36 states, demonstrating the agency’s extensive grassroots network and significant capacity to reach the rural poor. Focusing on agriculture, emergency response and recovery, and health, CRS is helping to strengthen health care systems, faith-based partners, other community-based organizations, and government institutions. CRS’ current projects are improving the lives of more than 1.4 million Nigerians including in the northeast where CRS has been working, in Yobe State, since 2014.

In response to the “crisis-level” (IPC 3 and above) food insecurity resulting from the conflict in North East Nigeria, and through Food-For-Peace funds, CRS has launched a cash and voucher project in Yobe and Borno States. Through monthly e-vouchers, CRS will assist 74,580 vulnerable conflict-affected individuals (5,740 HHs in Yobe and 2,865 HH in Borno) in meeting their food needs through the lean season and harvest. The project will target districts of Bursari, Geidam and Karasuwa in Yobe with a focus on communities hosting IDPs, market-dependent HHs, and areas lacking coverage by other humanitarian agencies. In Borno, the project will work in three communities in Jere and MMC LGAs, namely: Mashamari, Muna and Bulabulin. To maximize project impact, and where markets are functional, CRS will utilize e-vouchers and the Red Rose OneSystem technology to deliver lifesaving assistance to vulnerable families.

Job Responsibilities:

Program Implementation

• Abide by donor requirements/regulations as well as CRS procedures and policies for compliance, including financial, procurement, HR, MEAL, etc.
• Lead the planning of project activities and set high quality performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices and donor guidelines.
• Use appropriate project management tools to plan, review and track progress on project implementation as well as on the utilization of project resources; use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.
• Keep abreast of latest developments in their sector area (collaborates with regional/HQ technical advisors, learns new PQ tools, networks with outside technical experts, etc.).
• Liaise with RedRose team members to ensure seamless integration of ICT4D in all program activities.
• Represent CRS in key coordination forums including the Food Security Working Group and the Cash & Voucher Working Group.
• Supports all facets of program implementation linked to the utilization of e-vouchers, including: software and hardware set up, troubleshooting, vendor selection, vendor training, etc.
• Maintain up to date documentation related to project approval, monitoring and implementation.
• Models and reinforces with others a commitment to quality programming.
• Provide technical guidance to facilitate implementation and monitoring of cash and e-voucher activities.
• Ensure proper screening of beneficiaries is conducted by the partner organization for cash activities and that all beneficiaries meet eligibility criteria.
• Ensure proper implementation of the standard operational procedures (SOP) for cash and voucher interventions, and Red Rose technology, and update SOPs as required.
• Develop and implement a capacity building plan to ensure all program, finance and supply chain staff involved in cash and voucher programming have appropriate knowledge and skills related to market-based programming.
• Identify protection issues, challenges in implementation, and advocate for appropriate responses.

Budget and Financial Management:

• Prepare annual project budgets as requested by the donor.
• Complete necessary budget templates and forecasts as required by CRS.
• Support partners in the development and management of budgets in line with their scope of work.
• Ensure the financial management of the project, as per the project budget.
• Review project expenses and cash pipeline and coordinate liquidations with CRS Finance and partners.
• In collaboration with the finance teams, review and analyze monthly budget comparison reports and take necessary steps to ensure proper management and utilization of budgets.
• Ensure that program activities comply with CRS financial guidelines, policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Work with the finance team to ensure accurate donor financial reports are submitted on time.
• Coordinate with operations staff for purchasing and inventory control as per CRS/donor requirements.

Monitoring, Accountability, Evaluation and Learning

• In coordination with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team, develop and implement strong MEAL systems, using CRS tools and resources to maximize project impact on project participants.
• Ensure that market studies and feasibility assessments are carried out in all program areas, and that results are incorporated in program design and strategy.
• Pilot and roll out price data collection monitoring through the MARK it toolkit.
• Carryout regular data analysis and review of project data collected through onsite and post activity monitoring, price data collection, accountability feedback systems and targeting data.
• Ensure the project has a strong learning agenda, and champion learning with project staff and partner teams.
• Prepare and submit required donor project narrative reports, quarterly performance data, as well as other reports needed/required by the local government, donors, the region or headquarters.
• Use collaborative and structured evaluation processes to review data, reach agreement about findings, and apply learning and recommendations.
• Regularly update key stakeholders on progress and challenges.
• Prepare short success stories and briefs on innovation/best practices and project learning (including failures).
• Ensure that all project documentation is well organized and easy to access on Gateway.

Staff Management and Development:

• Carryout beneficiary, vendors, staff and partners training on the utilization of e-vouchers, and Red Rose technology.
• With senior management and Human Resources, identify project staffing needs and contribute to job descriptions and hiring processes.
• With Human Resources, ensure effective orientation and onboarding of project staff.
• Supervise and mentor program team, including development of performance plans and assessment of performance.
• Identify technical assistance needs for CRS and partners, and take the lead in developing SOWs and follow up with potential TA, as appropriate.
• Continuously support the professional development of the program team by providing clear orientation, feedback and learning opportunities.
• Ensure that supervisee’ performance development plans are in place and initial discussions are held.
• Provide immediate and regular feedback on performance.
• Ensures weekly and monthly check-ins with all direct reports (identify development needs, examine workload, accompaniment).
• Develop a culture of courtesy and respect.
• Establish a conducive working environment.
• Ensure staff have needed resources to achieve their results.
• Provide orientation on staffing structural changes linked to emergency programs.

Partnerships

• Conduct quarterly visits to accompany partner and reinforce their technical skills.
• Ensure that SRFM/HOCAI assessments and monitoring visits are conducted on schedule.
• Ensure timely technical support is provided to partners to respond to the capacity gaps identified during assessments.
• Establish a working relationship that fosters dialogue with the partners and in which partners contact the PM when issues or questions arise.
• Inform supervisor when issues arise with a solution focused approach and take the lead in ensuring the resolution of those issues in a timely manner.
• Field trip reports to support the partners contain detailed information about the results of the trip and planned next steps.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: County Representative, Emergency Program Director/Northeast, Deputy Country Representative, Emergency Coordinator, Head of Operations, Security Manager, Senior Business Development Manager and other senior CRS programming and operational staff in Nigeria and CRS HQ and regional staff and technical advisors including CRS Humanitarian Response Department.

External: Appropriate cluster leads, UN-OCHA, state and local government offices, local and international NGOs, UN agencies, Caritas partners, and donors.

Qualifications:

1. Masters Degree in related field or equivalent experience
2. Minimum of five years of relevant field-based project management experience required. Extensive experience in managing moderately complex projects.
3. Three years of experience working in emergency, development or recovery programming with an international NGO.
4. Experience implementing food assistance and cash and voucher programs and in-depth knowledge of Supply Chain and Financial Management and Controls of cash and/or voucher programs.
5. Excellent understanding of food security and livelihoods technical concepts and experience conducting detailed market, food security, livelihood, and protection needs assessments.
6. Proven expertise in the integration of Information, Communication and Technologies for improved efficiency and effectiveness; a working understanding of the Red Rose System and OneSystem Platform is highly desirable.
7. Experience in emergencies and program planning and management.
8. Demonstrated application of Emergency Standards.
9. Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with local communities and NGOs as appropriate.
10. Ability to represent CRS at high level coordination meetings with donors, local government, UN, and other international NGOs.
11. Demonstrated leadership ability in strategic planning initiatives.
12. Is committed to gender and conflict sensitive programming
13. Proven ability to develop proposals and write reports meeting donor requirements.
14. Excellent analytical, management, communication and negotiation skills.
15. Must be able to prioritize multiple work demands and work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision.
16. Familiarity with policies, procedures, and priorities of USAID, UN agencies and Caritas agencies preferred.
17. Experience in staff development and partner capacity strengthening.
18. Advanced computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
19. Experience working in security compromised zones
20. Excellent inter-cultural sensitivity and interpersonal skills necessary in insecure 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.

• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

CRS Emergency Competencies:

Each CRS staff member working in emergencies is expected to have the following competencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results:

• Communicates strategically under pressure
• Manages stress and complexity
• Actively promotes safety and security
• Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs

Program Manager Competencies

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

Required Foreign Language:

• Working language – English

Required Travel:

• Travel within Nigeria

Work Environment:

• To live in Maiduguri, Borno State, and work in the NE.
• CRS has an office and accommodation

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.