Cameroon: Program Manager II - Emergency Response Coordinator, Cameroon

Job Title: Emergency Response Coordinator (ERC)

Department/Country: Programming/Cameroon

Position Type: Full Time

Job Location: 50% in Yaounde and 50% in Far North region

Reports To: Head of Programming

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 for Central African refugees and host communities in the East region. CRS is currently implementing 4 emergency projects supporting CAR refugees and host communities in the East: 1) integrated social assistance program (ISAP) funded by UNHCR, 2) cash-based food assistance program (ECFAP) funded by the WFP, 3) expanded emergency WASH program co-funded by CRS and LDS, and 4) an education and health infrastructure support project funded by the GIZ. In addition, CRS, through private funding, is also supporting the Catholic Church’s National Justice and Peace program as well as a livelihood program for the youth in Maroua-Mokolo.

Background: Known as a relatively stable country, Cameroon has long been a haven for refugees from Central African Republic (CAR), Nigeria, and elsewhere. The conflict in Central African Republic (CAR) and the emergency caused by the Boko Haram crisis has caused an influx of refugees in the East and Far North regions of the country, and displaced thousands of citizens to take refuge in Cameroon. Since 2013, 180,485 refugees have moved to East Cameroon, with 123, 589 now residing in host communities causing a significant impact on local resources and livelihoods, thereby creating tensions. While the region is relatively calm, these tensions threaten to increase, and many fear that the violence in CAR may spill over to East Cameroon. In response to these identified needs, CRS proposed an integrated program focusing on protecting local livelihoods, and strengthening local capacities to manage conflicts at local level.

CRS Cameroon aims to improve the socio-economic conditions and resilience of IDPs and returnees to mitigate the impacts of the Boko Haram crisis through the Autonomy through Livelihoods (ALIVE) program. This will be implemented from July 2016-June 2017, in partnership with the Diocese of Maroua-Mokolo through Caritas. It will be implemented in Mayo Tsanaga division (Far North region), targeting approximately 21,840 individuals or 2,600 households (HHs). Its objectives are: (1) Beneficiaries have improved skills and knowledge in agriculture, and (2) IDPs and returnees restore and protect livelihoods activities (agricultural, livestock, small business, and others). CRS will achieve program outcomes through agriculture trainings, cash-for-work (CFW) activities, and unconditional cash grants.

Job Summary: The Emergency Response Coordinator (ERC) will be responsible for ensuring the overall quality of the ALIVE program in the Far North region, including planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, budget management, narrative and financial reporting, and business development.

Key Responsibilities

The ERC will oversee all emergency projects in the East and Far North regions of the country. S/he ensures that all the emergency programs are in line with CRS priorities as an agency. S/he will ensure representation of the project in national and regional coordination bodies, in close collaboration other livelihood and protection through peacebuilding actors. S/he is responsible for overall management of the project, including donor management with USAID-OFDA, partnership with Caritas, and collaboration with the government both at national and regional levels, in particular with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER), Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training (MINEFOP), peer NGOs implementing livelihoods and protection activities, local authorities (mayor, divisional and sub-divisional delegates), and community-based organizations. S/he coordinates operational implementation, including adherence to USAID program requirements, ensuring project resources are managed according to CRS and USG rules and regulations, and process and results are documented in a timely manner. S/he divides daily management and coordination with the Program Manager. The ERC reports to the Head of Programming.

Program Quality and Management

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

2. Ensure strong communication and coordination between CRS, the local partner, and the donor as a means to effectively achieve the program objectives;

3. Ensure that the program components are implemented in an integrated manner by coordinating with INGO key sectoral working groups at the regional level, with relevant government actors, and with program sectoral leads and key program staff;

4. In collaboration with the Head of Programming, the PM, and the MEAL Manager, ensure implementation of strong MEAL systems using CRS tools and resources, including MEAL in Emergencies, to maximize project impact on beneficiaries;

5. Coordinate development of monthly narrative reports and quarterly financial reports;

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

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

8. Identify technology gaps and ensure that the ALIVE project managers have the necessary capacities for implementation.

9. Collaborate with HoP and gender focal point to ensure effective gender and protection integration and mainstreaming in program activities;

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

11. Ensure timely posting of relevant project documents on Gateway.

12. With key program staff, ensure project objectives and results are fully accomplished and meet CRS and OFDA technical quality standards.

13. Ensure that the project execution is in line with the program vision and all the program plans are effectively implemented and in line with CRS agency and country program strategies.

14. Ensure key changes in program direction and focus are done in consultation with the CRS/Cameroon country program.

15. Lead the planning of project activities and set appropriate performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices, reporting time lines and donor guidelines are respected.

16. Lead business development work for the Far North, and contribute to required assessments and/or evaluation activities, and the development of scopes of work (SoW).

Budget Management, Financial Planning, and Compliance

1. Ensure project compliance with donor regulations and CRS policies, including timely submission of project narrative and financial reporting;

2. With support from the Grant Accountant and country program finance team, review monthly budget comparison reports and assess spending rates;

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

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

5. Ensure project implements and adheres to approved marking and branding plan.

Partnership, Coordination and Communication

1. Foster positive collaboration between CRS and the partner, and among all stakeholders of the program, including the staff, beneficiaries, and local collaborators.

2. 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;

3. Oversee the identification of capacity strengthening needs and provision of high quality technical assistance to partners.

4. Ensure representation and participation of ALIVE in relevant inter-agency working group meetings in the region;

5. Work closely with CRS’ logistics and procurement staff to ensure systems are in place to enable timely receipt and distribution of all project materials and supplies;

6. Coordinate with the UNDSS and the CRS Security Focal Person to ensure that all security information and advisories are shared and enforced within the program.

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

Supervision

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

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

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

4. 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 Program Manager, MEAL Manager, and Grant Accountant. Indirectly, the Emergency Response Coordinator is responsible for the entire project, which will employ at least 20 full-time CRS and partner staff.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Country Representative, Head of Programming, Head of Operations, program staff, regional and headquarters technical staff.

External: Partner staff, UN agencies, peer organizations, Cameroon Government Ministries, other stakeholders

Required Qualifications and Experience:

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

2. Minimum of 7 years managing projects in development context, with at least 5 years’ experience managing projects in emergency context;

3. Minimum 10 years living and working in a developing country;

4. Demonstrated expertise working in Africa in a least one or more of the sectors: livelihoods, agriculture, and protection (community reconciliation and peacebuilding);

5. Demonstrated experience working on refugee or IDP-related projects (experience managing USG-funded projects a plus);

6. Demonstrated experience with programming to address conflict sensitivity, gender and protection integration, and inclusion of people with disabilities;

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

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

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

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

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

12. Willingness and ability to travel at least 50% of the time between Yaoundé and the Far North region.

Required Foreign Language: French and English proficiency are required.

Required Travel: At least 50% of time traveling between Yaounde and Maroua, and occasional travel between Maroua and program sites.

Work Environment: Yaounde is the country’s capital, and is home to government services and structures including the Presidential Palace. Markets and supermarkets offer a variety of goods, and there are a number of local and international hotels and restaurants. There is also a big expatriate community in Yaounde.

Maroua, the Far North region’s capital can be reached by plane or train. It has limited infrastructure but markets offer a variety of goods. Electrical blackouts are frequent, and internet service is limited.

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=3030&CurrentPage=1