Job Description:
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Note: This position is contingent upon grant and
candidate approvals by the donor.
Background:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)/Burundi will be
submitting a proposal in response to the 2013-14 USAID Food for Peace (FFP)
Development Food Assistance Proposal (DFAP) Request for Applications
(RFA). CRS/Burundi will serve as the prime on the application and
will develop the proposal in consortium with other international
non-governmental organizations, local implementing partners and
international/national research institutions. The proposed program
will involve a multi-sectoral response to addressing food insecurity and
vulnerability across multiple provinces in Burundi. The estimated
timeframe for this program is 2014-2018.
Job Summary:
CRS/Burundi seeks a qualified candidate for a Chief of
Party (CoP) II position to lead implementation of the CRS/Burundi DFAP Program.
The CoP will be responsible for ensuring high quality, result-oriented
program implementation and timely achievement of project milestones and
objectives. The CoP will represent the program to the donor, key
government officials, research institutions and other international/local
partners, ensuring high levels of visibility and strong collaboration with
relevant key stakeholders. The CoP will also ensure effective
consortium management, building on the strengths of each partner to promote
strong program integration and holistic service provision and capacity
building for vulnerable households and local government.
The overall goal of the proposed program will be to
measurably reduce food insecurity and vulnerability in two to three
chronically food insecure provinces in Burundi. CRS/Burundi will
identify vulnerable households and target support using CRS’ Integral Human
Development Framework, with a focus on enhancing household/community assets
and reducing unequal structures and systems. The proposed program
will take a multi-sectoral approach to reducing food security, with a
particular focus on enhancing resiliency and increasing household and
community capacities to manage and mitigate risk.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Leads
and supports consortium partners to achieve program targets.
- Manages
all resources assigned to the project, and serves as the primary
liaison among stakeholders including the donor, consortium members,
implementing partners, Country Representative and relevant government ministries,
raising decisions and issues as needed.
- Coordinates
program implementation, monetization, finance and distribution
commodities according to the policies and procedures of USG and CRS.
Specific Job Responsibilities:
Program Quality:
- With
key program staff and stakeholders, ensure program’s strategic
objectives and results are fully accomplished and meet expected
technical quality standards.
- Ensure
that vision and plans for the program are innovative and are in line
with CRS agency and country program strategies.
- Ensure
appropriate program quality support to consortium members through
technical leads
- Promote
alignment of program’s strategies and activities with the priorities
outlined in relevant national strategies and policies related to agriculture,
nutrition and health, particularly the Multi-Sectoral Plan to Combat
Malnutrition in Burundi.
- Oversee
periodic technical reviews and manage changes in program direction and
focus, where necessary. Lead the process of annual results
reporting and analysis.
- In
collaboration with program staff, provide guidance and technical
oversight to partners and other collaborating agencies to ensure that
lessons of sound practice are documented and disseminated.
- Promote
synergy between various technical sectors and ensure that this is
contributing to achieving program targets.
- Oversee
program’s monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL)
systems, using data analysis as the basis for measuring performance.
Ensure that MEAL is incorporated into evolving program plans.
- Lead
the development of annual results reports and other required donor
reports and ensure the integration of program innovation and learning.
- Ensure
integration of program interventions with other CRS and consortium
programs.
- With
program staff, ensure the delivery of quality training, technical
assistance and administrative and financial support to all partner
agencies, including the selection and coordination of consultants.
Management and Administration:
- Ensure
strong coordination/collaboration among consortium members through
regular coordination meetings/program reviews, joint field visits and
action planning.
- Develop
and manage annual program budgets, including tracking of financial and
material resources for CRS, consortium members and implementing
partners.
- Ensure
accurate and timely financial reporting to donors and senior
management. Review actual financial performance against the budget and
identify/address variances on a regular basis.
- Ensure
staff compliance with all CRS administrative and operational
procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations.
- Coordinate
regular programmatic and financial progress reviews with consortium
members and lead budget harmonization processes, where necessary.
Commodity Management
- Ensure
call forwards, commodity sales, use of proceeds, warehousing of
distribution commodities, and all documentation is compliant with USG
regulations and agreed targets.
- Monetization
1) Secure the most competitive Monetization Proceeds by
supporting Monetization Manager
2)Facilitate linkages with the Region, HQ, Mission and FFP on monetization
3)Address issues of Bellmon Analysis
4)Promote good linkages with buyers
- Support
commodity managers to address bottlenecks in commodity call forward,
movement and distribution.
- Ensure
effective risk management and internal controls of commodities.
Enforce Zero Tolerance for fraud and the development of
beneficiary/staff feedback systems to identify potential incidents.
- Facilitate
appropriate linkages with the CRS Regional Office and Headquarters in
commodity management issues
Representation and Advocacy:
- In
collaboration with the country representative, act as primary program
contact to donor and other local and international stakeholders, responsible
for addressing all program matters. Serve as the primary
representative for the consortium.
- In
collaboration with the Country Representative, strengthen linkages
with existing and potential partner agencies.
- In
collaboration with the Country Representative, oversee program
communication strategies, including compliance with donor’s branding
and marketing requirements as well as CRS marketing and communication
procedures.
Human Resource Management:
- Lead,
manage and supervise a team of consortium staff to meet program
objectives.
- Conduct
periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with CRS’ performance
management system and mentor staff to ensure high levels of
motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork.
- Manage
the recruitment portfolio for the program, in collaboration with Human
Resources and CRS country program management, to ensure optimum
service delivery through recruitment of competent and qualified staff.
- Develop
terms of reference for all program consultants and ensure that they
are fulfilling their tasks.
Direct Supervisory Responsibilities:
4-6 positions to be determined
Key Working Relationships:
Internal- CRS/ Burundi: Country
Representative, Head of Operations, Unit Managers, Team Leaders, Program
Staff; CRS/HQ/Region: CARO Regional Staff (RTAs/ DRDs) and CRS/HQ
departments.
External: Catholic Bishops and the
Episcopal Conference, Government Officials, USAID, UN Agencies, Consortium
Member and Implementing Partner Staff, etc.
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
Qualifications and Skills:
- Minimum
Master’s Degree in Economic Development, Agricultural Economics,
Public Health, Development Studies, International Relations or related
field required. Ph.D. preferred.
- At
least 10 years of progressively increasing management responsibility
in developing countries. Previous experience as a Chief of Party a
plus.
- At
least 7 years of experience managing food security projects.
- Prior
management of significant USAID funding required; knowledge of USG
regulations governing food aid.
- Proven
leadership and inter-personal skills and ability to build and motivate
diverse and talented teams.
- Proven
experience in managing complex consortium or partnership relationships
required.
- Understanding
of and experience with faith-based organizations, local church
structures, and accompaniment and capacity-building principles in
local partnerships highly desired.
- Strategic
vision and capacity to oversee a vast and complex program required.
- Experience
with participatory methods and partnerships required.
- Public
relations skills required.
- Proven
ability to think strategically.
- Flexibility
to work both in a team and independently.
- Cultural
sensitivity, patience and flexibility.
- Demonstrated
personal accountability and driven to serve others.
- Ability
to travel nationally and internationally as required.
- Excellent
English and French language oral and written communication skills
required.
- Experience
working in a variety of developing environments required; knowledge of
the Burundian context desired.
- Proficiency
in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook required.
This job description is not an exhaustive list of the
skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
EOE/M/F/D/V
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