Country: Cameroon
Closing date: 26 Sep 2016
About CRS: 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: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded Catholic Relief Services (CRS) cooperative agreement grant (AID-624-A-14-00004) to implement the Key Interventions to Develop Systems and Services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (KIDSS) project funded under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Over a five-year period (2014-2019), CRS, in partnership with the Archdioceses of Bamenda, Douala and Yaoundé, is addressing the challenges of sustainable care and support to OVC. Through the KIDSS project, CRS is strengthening the capacities of the Government of the Republic of Cameroon (GRC), civil society, communities and households to care and support Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC).
In response to the PEPFAR 3.0 strategic alignment to achieve the UNAIDS 90-90-90 global targets, KIDSS geographic and programmatic scope was amended in the Country Operational Plan (COP) FY 2015. To align with the global PEPFAR 3.0 targets, KIDSS was directed to focus on priority HIV services for OVC in the PEPFAR priority health districts of Djoungolo in Yaoundé and Deido in Douala and two sustained health districts of Nkolndongo in Yaoundé and Bamenda, with an overall goal of increasing the rate of “new on antiretroviral therapy (ART)”.
Through the revised KIDSS project, CRS will improve capacities of GRC, community networks, and OVC families/caregivers to achieve PEPFAR 3.0 strategic objectives, in partnership with the Archdioceses of Yaoundé, Douala and Bamenda. CRS as the prime is responsible for overall technical quality of the project, financial management, including sub-granting, and providing leadership on GRC capacity strengthening. Archdioceses will ensure supervision and support for community-level (health district) interventions, supporting the GRC, civil society organizations (CSOs), and OVC caregivers to improve the continuum of care and support for OVC.
Primary Function:
The Chief of Party (CoP) is responsible for the strategic direction, leadership, management and representation of the KIDSS project. The CoP ensures achievement of strategic objectives and performance expectations through adherence to high standards of technical and management quality, with special emphasis on fostering and developing partnership relations. The CoP ensures implementation of capacity strengthening initiatives for the Church archdiocesan partners, GRC ministries, and civil society organizations working with the project. The incumbent provides the key leadership and advocacy for the National OVC Steering Committee and its technical working groups. The Chief of Party will ensure that technical strategies contribute to the agency’s signature program areas (SPAs), specifically health, through documented learning, while ensuring alignment of project and donor strategies. The Chief of Party will leverage the project to attract additional resources, while establishing strong partnerships and collaboration with USAID, government and public and private sectors.
Specific Responsibilities:
Program Quality:
• Ensure project’s strategic results and objectives are accomplished fully and meet high quality technical quality standards.
• Liaise regularly with key GRC national and regional officials responsible for OVC care and support and develop a high level of collaboration and partnership for KIDSS interventions.
• Oversee the project’s monitoring and evaluation, accountability and learning system, supporting use of data as the basis for measuring performance and adapting project interventions.
• Leads routine technical reviews and directs changes in project strategies and approaches as required.
• Ensures the delivery of quality training and technical assistance to all partners and collaborators, including the selection and coordination of consultants. In particular, ensures that capacity strengthening is incorporated into all areas of the project.
• Coordinates and assist the USAID Agreement Officer Representative to develop the Annual Country Operating Plan (COP)
• Ensures the preparation and timely submission of quarterly, semi-annual and annual project reports.
• Ensure that sub-recipients meet USG, USAID, PEPFAR and CRS financial and project management requirements.
• In collaboration with project staff, provide guidance and technical oversight to GRC, civil society partners and other collaborating agencies to ensure that lessons of sound practice are documented and disseminated.
• Ensure that KIDSS is gender-responsive and inclusive of vulnerable/hidden at-risk groups
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of project interventions.
• Develop and monitor beneficiary accountability mechanisms.
• Coordinate and update local church partners on progress of the project.
• Ensure CRS’ Protection Policy and Guidelines are adhered to during project implementation.
B. Management and Administration:
• Lead, manage and supervise the CRS KIDSS team members and consortium staff to meet project objectives.
• Oversee project budget and develops request for supplemental funding in collaboration with Finance Manager.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of project finances and progress status; review actual financial performance against the budget, and explain variances on a regular basis.
• Ensure staff compliance with all USAID and CRS procedures and policies.
• Lead development of annual work plan and budget submission to the donor.
C. Representation and Advocacy:
• Serve as primary project representative to donor and other local and international stakeholders, responsible for addressing all project matters.
• Represent CRS in all relevant technical meetings and coordination bodies; ensure that meetings are documented and results circulated to appropriate staff, Country Representative and other relevant actors on a timely basis;
• Ensure visibility of project results, achievements and lessons learned through presentations at conferences and workshops and/or publishing articles through professional journals (in coordination with CRS’ technical staff)
• Oversee development and roll-out of project communication strategies, including compliance with donor’s branding and marking requirements as well as CRS marketing and communication procedures.
• Assists with the coordination of visits of CRS, donor, and/or partners related to the project
COP Competencies: The chief of party is expected to use the following competencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
· Communicates effectively and strategically under pressure
· Manages stress and complexity
· Builds and leads effective teams
· Supervises and develops project staff
· Focuses on quality management and improvement
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff): These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
· Serves with Integrity
· Models Stewardship
· Builds Constructive Relationships
· Promotes Learning
Supervisory Relationships: Deputy Chiefs of Party, Finance Manager, HIV Specialist, M&E Specialist,
Key Working Relationships: Internal: Country Representative, Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality, Technical Advisors for Early Child Development and OVC, KIDSS project staff, CRS Head of Programs, CRS Head of Operations
External: Church partner staff, GRC leadership and staff in related ministries, civil society partners
Minimum Qualifications:• At least 10 years of experience in successful management (project, partnership, administrative, logistical) of international health and/or OVC projects;
• Master’s degree in social sciences, public health or related field required;
• Knowledge of and experience implementing USG rules and regulations related to USAID grant management, sub-contracting and reporting requirements;
• Demonstrated skills in technical and administrative management of OVC projects preferred;
• Demonstrated capacity to build and maintain productive working relationships with a wide network of partners and stakeholder;
• At least 3 years’ experience managing large donor-funded awards;
• Prior experience as a USAID Chief of Party or Deputy Chief of Party is highly desirable;
• Experience managing teams and building partnerships;
• Fluency in speaking, reading and writing in English and French required.
This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
EOE
How to apply:
Apply online: http://bit.ly/2bJDLfQ