Israel: Program Manager I - Program Quality Manager

Jan 27, 2017 | Catholic Relief Services
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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:

Catholic Relief Services has worked in the Palestinian territories since the 1940s and established an office in Jerusalem in 1961. Our programs, undertaken in partnership with an extensive network of local organizations, aim to support peace with justice and security for all people in the Holy Land, while responding to the humanitarian needs and development aspirations of the Palestinian people. Current CRS programs focus on humanitarian assistance, urban and agricultural livelihoods, building resilience, shelter, peace building, food security, and educating people in the US about the situation in the Holy Land.


CRS JWBG maintains three offices, with the main office in Jerusalem and field offices in the West Bank (Bethlehem) and the Gaza Strip (Gaza City); its current annual program budget of approximately $12M is implemented by a staff of 55. CRS JWBG is broadly recognized by communities, donors, and other civil society actors as a leading provider of high quality, innovative relief and development assistance. To ensure that this level of excellence continues to characterize CRS’s programming portfolio in JWBG, CRS is seeking a Program Manager I to serve as the Program Quality (PQ) Manager.


Job Summary:

The PMI – PQ Manager will manage CRS JWBG’s West Bank programming portfolio, which includes a USAID-funded peacebuilding and health program, agricultural livelihoods programs focused on natural resource management, animal husbandry, and improving the almond value chain, and Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) programming. It is expected that management of the West Bank programming portfolio will take approximately 80% of the PQ Manager’s time. The PQ Manager will also work closely with the Head of Programs (HoP) and relevant programming staff across the Country Program in all phases and aspects of project design and business development, including identifying and pursuing growth opportunities. The PQ Manager will also provide occasional cross-cutting PQ support, for example in designing or leading CP-wide PQ meetings or trainings, or representing the CP at clusters or other coordinating mechanisms. The PQ Manager will be expected to work from Bethlehem approximately 50% of the time, with the majority of the remainder of the time spent in Jerusalem and occasional travel to Gaza.


Specific Responsibilities:

Supervision:

  • Directly supervise the West Bank Livelihoods Project Officer, Together for Pediatric Palliative Care Senior Project Officer, and the newly formed almond value chain project team.
  • Provide timely and thoughtful coaching, feedback, performance evaluation, and professional development for all direct reports, while making sure that they do the same for their direct reports. The PQ Manager will fully utilize the CRS performance management system to set high expectations for achievement, provide staff with the tools to achieve these expectations, and recognize and reward individual and team accomplishments.
  • Consistently model CRS values-based behaviors and PM competencies, in order to inspire a shared commitment to program quality and operational excellence.
  • Encourage collegial teamwork and effective, respectful communication within departments and in particular between program teams and finance/admin colleagues.Program Management

  • With key program staff and stakeholders, ensure strategic objectives and results are fully accomplished and meet expected technical quality standards for each project.

  • Develop, monitor, and update detailed implementation plans that are realistic and in line with CRS and donor strategies.

  • Oversee periodic technical reviews and manage changes in program direction. Closely monitor progress towards objectives, proactively identifying potential shortfalls and challenges and proposing corrective action.
  • In collaboration with direct reports and teams, provide guidance and technical oversight to partners and other collaborating agencies to ensure donor compliance, program quality, transparency, and accountability.
  • Conduct regular field site visits to review program progress; meet with partners, local government, and beneficiaries; and address implementation and relationship issues in the field.
  • Ensure timely and high-quality reporting to donors

Financial Management and Administration:

  • Develop, manage, and maintain program budgets, including tracking of financial and material resources.
  • Ensure accurate and timely reporting of program finances and progress status, review actual financial performance against the budget, and explain variances on a regular basis. In consultation with senior management, take immediate corrective action to address over or underspending.
  • Monitor project finances to ensure funds are being used according to the approved budget and project objectives, while coordinating and liaising with the Finance Department on all aspects of grant management.
  • Ensure compliance with all CRS administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations.
  • Approve program expenditures, propose budget adjustments, and prepare cost modification requests to donors.
  • Participate in bid committee reviews, market surveys, quality control, and spot inspections for program procurements.
  • Ensure harmonious cooperation between program teams and MQ departments, including finance, procurement, HR, and IT, promoting joint planning, evaluation, and mutual support.

Business Development:

  • Collaborate with the HoP and Country Representative to identify new sources of funding for CRS/JWBG
  • Facilitate project design and proposal development process in response to strategic growth opportunities, including writing and editing, as needed.
  • Develop informational and publicity materials to inform stakeholders of progress and engage with external audiences.
  • Work with the HoP to respond to issues letters, donor inquiries, and unforeseen developments in the funding environment.
  • Program Quality (PQ) & Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL):
  • Ensure the rigorous application of CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures and PQ standards to the West Bank programming portfolio
  • Make at least monthly field visits to projects to check on quality of implementation and the quality of the partner relationship
  • Liaise closely with the MEAL Manager for development of MEAL tools and processes and to build staff capacity in MEAL
  • Promote gender, protection, and accountability mainstreaming into all West Bank programs
  • Proactively identify learning needs among West Bank programming staff. Disseminate PQ resources to address these needs, or create/identify appropriate training or coaching opportunities for staff where necessary.
  • Coordinate, design, and lead occasional CP-wide PQ meetings and trainings
  • Assist the HoP in responding to occasional requests for PQ and technical assistance within the CP

Representation

  • Represent CRS/JWBG at various cluster/sectoral working groups, as well as any other relevant coordination groups or meetings as needed and as appropriate
  • Develop and maintain strong partnerships with local implementing partners and international agencies
  • Support or lead the coordination of visits of CRS staff, donors, or other visitors as needed



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



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



Supervisory Responsibilities:

Senior Project Officer, Project Officer, and staff of newly developed West Bank programming


Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Head of Programming (HoP), MEAL Manager, Gaza Program Manager and other programming and support staff

External: Local partners, Clusters and other coordination/working groups, donors (as needed), other INGOs


Required Qualifications and Experience:

  1. Master’s in International Development or related field

  2. Minimum three years of project management experience in non-profit, development, and or/humanitarian work. At least two years of this should be in a developing country outside candidate’s country of origin.

  3. Understanding of CRS PQ standards, in particular MEAL standards, and industry best practices in MEAL and program quality

  4. Strong listening skills, excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills

  5. Ability to exercise sound, mature judgment and work independently.

  6. Excellent analytical abilities

  7. Demonstrated experience in project design and proposal development

  8. Willingness to travel and work in complex and sometimes insecure work environment


Required Foreign Language: Arabic preferred but not required

Required Travel: This position will be based in Jerusalem, with 50% travel to Bethlehem and occasional travel to Gaza.

Work Environment: Office-based work primarily in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, with regular field travel.

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.


How to apply:

Apply online: http://bit.ly/2k8wkzX