Cameroon: Program Manager II - Integrated Social Assistance Program, Cameroon

About CRS: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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.

CRS has been working in Cameroon since 1961, with the main office in the capital Yaoundé. The current portfolio is largely health and emergencies oriented: two health programs funded by USAID/PEPFAR and the Global Fund (as a sub recipient to the Government of Cameroon) provide services to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Emergency programs improve WASH and school and health infrastructure among refugees from the Central African Republic in East Cameroon. CRS is also implementing a program to provide health services to urban refugees in Yaoundé and Douala. In addition, CRS is supporting the Church’s National Justice and Peace program as well as programming in the Far North of the country through a program for inter-religious dialogue.

Background: Known as a relatively stable country, Cameroon has long been a haven for refugees from Central African Republic (CAR), Nigeria, and elsewhere. Since the most recent conflict began in CAR in late 2013, an additional 150,662 CAR refugees have fled to Cameroon, bringing the total to 250,569. Of this population, 177,613 reside in the East region of Cameroon, vastly overwhelming the region’s limited resources. While the region is relatively calm, tensions around access to resources threaten to increase, and many fears that the violence in CAR may spill over to East Cameroon. In response to these identified needs, CRS proposed an integrated program focusing on education, the promotion of peaceful coexistence between refugees and the local population, and the specific needs of persons with disabilities and older persons. The Integrated Social Assistance Program (ISAP) will be funded from February – December 2016. The program will use a multi-sector approach to address the needs of refugees from the Central African Republic, along with their host communities. The program will address four objectives: 1) community mobilization; 2) social cohesion; 3) education; and 4) community services. ISAP will be based out of a regional sub-office in Bertoua, with field offices in Batouri and Betare-Oye. CRS will implement the program directly.

Job Summary: CRS Cameroon is looking for a Program Coordinator who will be responsible for ensuring the quality of the ISA project including project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, budget management, narrative and financial reporting.

Specific Responsibilities:

Program Quality and Management

· Oversee the planning and implementation of all ISAP activities and set high quality performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices, and donor guidelines;

· Ensure strong communication and coordination between CRS, UNHCR, and the Government of Cameroon as a means to effectively achieve the project objectives;

· Emphasize and ensure the multi-sector education, social cohesion, and community services project is implemented in an integrated manner by coordinating between sectoral Program Managers and between sectoral working groups at the regional level;

· In collaboration with the Head of Programming, MEAL Manager, and sectoral Program Managers for education, social cohesion, and community services.

· Ensure implementation of strong MEAL systems using CRS tools and resources, including MEAL in Emergencies guidance, to maximize project impact on beneficiaries;

· Coordinate development of monthly narrative reports and quarterly financial reports;

· Collaborate with Head of Programming (HoP) to proactively seek technical input from relevant HRD Sectoral TAs;

· Lead the integration of the ICT4D tools in emergency projects during project implementation (data collection, lessons learned and best practices)

· Identify technology gaps and ensure that the ISAP project managers have the necessary capacities for implementation.

· Collaborate with HoP and gender focal point to ensure effective gender and protection mainstreaming;

· Coordinate appropriate learning activities and project reviews with field staff and partners;

· Ensure project documents are always posted in Gateway.

Budgeting, Financial Planning, and Compliance

· Ensure project compliance with UNHCR regulations and CRS policies;

· With support from the Country Program finance team, review monthly budget comparison reports and assess spending rates;

· Ensure a timely pace of implementation, with spending in line with budget forecasts;

· Approve project expenditures, carry out regular budget tracking, and take the lead on official requests for modifications when needed;

· Ensure project implements and adheres to approved marketing and branding plan.

Coordination and Communication

· Maintain regular and strong communication with all partners, with in-country external stakeholders and with other CRS colleagues and Regional staff, including Technical Advisors, as appropriate;

· Ensure representation and participation of ISAP at UNHCR and other relevant working group meetings in Bertoua, Batouri, and Mainganga;

· Work closely with UNHCR’s logistics partner to ensure systems are in place that will enable timely receipt and distribution of all project materials and supplies;

· Implement activities in strict accordance to the CRS Field Security Plan and any additional protocols put in place to ensure staff safety.

Supervision

· Ensure performance planning and reviews of staff performance in line with CRS’ performance management system;

· Mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity and teamwork;

· Explore opportunities for capacity-building of national staff and partners, particularly with regard to managing an emergency program;

· Ensure staff compliance with all CRS administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations.

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.

Emergency Competencies:These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff working in emergencies 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none): This position will directly supervise the Deputy Program Coordinator (PM I), the Administration/Finance Coordinator, and three sectoral Program Managers (PM I – education, social cohesion, community services). Indirectly, the Program Coordinator is responsible for the entire project, which will employ at least 21 full-time staff.

Key Working Relationships:Internal: Country Representative, Head of Programming, Head of Operations, Emergency Program Coordinator, program staff, regional and headquarters technical staff. External: UNHCR, peer organizations, Cameroon Government Ministries, other stakeholders

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s Degree in international development, humanitarian response, international education, conflict resolution/peacebuilding (or related field);

• Minimum of 5 years managing projects in development and/or emergency contexts, with at least 2 years’ experience managing projects in emergency context;

• Minimum 5 years living and working in a developing country;

• Demonstrated expertise working in Africa in a least one or more of the sectors: education, social cohesion (or peacebuilding), or community services (or protection);

• Demonstrated experience working on refugee-related projects (experience managing UNHCR funded projects a plus);

• Demonstrated experience with programming to address conflict sensitivity, gender mainstreaming, and inclusion of people with disabilities;

• Excellent leadership, budget/financial management, analytical, communication and project specific technical skills;

• Ability to lead a multi-cultural team with a high level of respect for local culture, working with national staff in overseas offices;

• Demonstrated ability to work under remote supervision and to manage team members remotely;

• Outstanding communication skills, including professional proficiency and excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and French;

• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point);

• Willingness and ability to live and work in sub-office environment with minimal expatriate community presence;

• Willingness and ability to travel frequently throughout the East region and between Yaoundé and the East region.

Required Foreign Language: French is required. English is a plus. Fulfulde is also a plus.

Required Travel: Frequent travel by vehicle between Bertoua and the two field offices in Batouri and Betare-Oye as well as to remote project sites. Frequently travel to Yaoundé.

Work Environment: Bertoua is a regional capital with limited infrastructure. Electrical blackouts are frequent, and a generator for the office will be supplied. Internet service is also limited. Markets offer a variety of goods, and there are several local restaurants.

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

Apply online: https://www5.apply2jobs.com/CRS/ProfExt/index.cfm?fuseaction=mExternal.showJob&RID=2785&CurrentPage=1