Democratic Republic of the Congo: Program Manager Ditekemena Project, DRC

Job Title

Program Manager Ditekemena Project, DRC

Position Status

Temporary

Job Description

Job Title: Program Manager Ditekemena Project, DRC

Department: Emergency

Reports To: Emergency Coordinator

Country/Location: Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo (with up to 20% travel)

Job Summary:

The DRC is faced with continuous humanitarian emergencies, particularly in the eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Tanganyika, Haut Katanga and more recently the Kasais. In an effort to provide flexible and appropriate solutions to these ever-increasing needs, CRS is implementing a food assistance project, Ditekemena, financed by USAID/FFP. Through a flexible modality approach (distributions and voucher fairs), the project provides vulnerable households (HHs) with lifesaving assistance through the provision of food and agricultural inputs. The PM will manage the $8 million Ditekemena project, currently in its second year, with specific attention to program quality and advancing Catholic Relief Services' (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP continuously works towards improving the impact of its programming.

Reporting to the Emergency Coordinator (EC), the Ditekemena PM will supervise a Field Coordinator, Food Quality Officer and 2 MEAL Officers, who in turn supervise teams of Food Officers and Targeting Officers to implement food responses in the provinces of Kasai Central, Kasai Oriental and Lomami. He/ she will provide technical support to project staff and ensure all the project activities are implemented while helping build program capacity in emergency program management amongst the Ditekemena CRS and Caritas staff.

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage and implement all activities throughout relevant project cycles - project design, start-up, implementation and close-out - to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Ensure project team and partner staff are trained on and use the appropriate systems and tools.
• Champion learning with project staff and partner teams. Analyze and evaluate project performance data following MEAL policy. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.
• Act as a key resource person in project design and proposal development for emergency programming, gap-filling and taking on growth responsibilities, as needed.
• Coordinate the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
• Help identify, assess and strengthen partnerships relevant to emergency assistance programming, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.

Budget Management:

• Prepare and manage budgets with attention to progress toward program goals and against burn rates, reviewing budget comparison report to ensure that spending and program implementation are aligned.
• Support partner to ensure adherence to financial guidelines.
• Proactively identify and address financial issues and concerns in concert with others (staff, departments, and partners).
• Approve project expenditures, carry out regular budget tracking (through the use of CP budget monitoring table and online tools) and take the lead on official requests for modifications when needed.

Supervision:

• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Ensure annual performance planning and reviews of staff performance in keeping with CRS' performance management system. Mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity and teamwork.
• Identify training needs for team members under his/her supervision and support the development of PQ capacity building for team members.
• Hold regular meetings with project staff

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Master's Degree in International Development, International Relations or in the field of project management required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing light to moderately complex projects required, preferably with an international NGO.
• Project management experience in food distribution and voucher programs is highly desirable.
• Experience with USG-funded programs, familiarity with USG rules and regulations and compliance requirements
• Experience engaging with partner organizations.
• Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.
• MEAL skills and experience preferred.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Personal Skills

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment in rapidly changing contexts.
• Ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams and manage staff remotely
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports in French and English.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Willingness to work and travel in difficult environments

Required Foreign Language: French and English, verbal and written ability

Travel Required: up to 20% in areas of project implementation

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: Field Coordinator, MEAL staff

Internal: Emergency Coordinator, Operations Manager Kananga, Deputy Emergency Coordinator, Ditekemena programming team, Kananga Operations team, Deputy Country Rep-Programming

External: Caritas Kananga, Caritas Mbuji Mayi, Caritas Luiza, UN agencies, local governments and local authorities, other humanitarian actors

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

Emergency Competencies:

These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff working specifically in emergencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

• Communicates strategically under pressure
• Manages stress and complexity
• Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs

What we offer

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

*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.

EOE/M/F/D/V - CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (For all US and International positions)

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