| Job Description: |
Position Title: Country Representative for Senegal and The Gambia
Dept/Location: Sahel West Africa/Senegal
Reports To: Regional Director
Length of Assignment: Three to five years
Job Background/ Summary
CRS has been supporting activities in Senegal continuously since 1960 and in The Gambia since 1964, and has long-standing relationships with partners and communities in both countries. The Senegal country program has a diverse funding base with projects in nutrition, community health, Tuberculosis, agricultural livelihoods, microfinance (SILC), and peace building. CRS Senegal has project offices in Ziguinchor, Kedougou and Diourbel and programming staff operate out of the Caritas office in Tambacounda. In The Gambia, CRS manages an important portfolio of Global Fund programs as the Principal Recipient for the Malaria grant and as a Sub Recipient for the HIV/AIDS grant and is looking to increase its agricultural programming. CRS Senegal is also managing outreach programs in Guinea Bissau and Mauritania through national Caritas partners. Currently, CRS is implementing a Maternity Health Project in Guinea Bissau with private funds and an OFDA funded Recovery Project in the Brakna Region of Mauritania. In all countries, CRS’ has longstanding partnerships with a variety of Catholic and non-Catholic NGOs.
The CRS Country Representative to Senegal and The Gambia is responsible for overall leadership and management of the country offices including stewardship of agency resources, projects, and personnel. The Country Representative is CRS’ principal representative to the Catholic Church in Senegal, The Gambia, and the outreach countries, the Government of Senegal, donors, international organizations, and local civil society organizations. This position requires an individual with strong leadership abilities; representational, communication, and risk management skills; and a facility for developing networks to build partnerships and diversify program resources. S/he will be responsible for the overall coordination and direction of the country program and the outreach countries; provide necessary coaching and supervision for department managers directly under his or her supervision; ensure high quality program design and implementation; ensure efficient management of public grants and private funds for compliance and high quality reporting; and provide oversight of the financial management systems.
Primary Functions
Leadership/Representation:
- Provide leadership at the country program level to ensure staff understand and work towards the long term vision and strategies of CRS in Senegal, The Gambia, Mauritania and Guinea Bissau.
- Develop strategies to ensure strong representation to the Church, United States Government, local governments and authorities, international organizations, other donors, international and national PVOs, and other appropriate networks.
- Develop and maintain strong partnerships with local implementing partners such as the Church, other local and international agencies.
- Represent CRS at the highest levels in Senegal, The Gambia, and the outreach countries.
- Seek and pursue opportunities to raise the profile of the work of CRS and its partners, as well as the needs and challenges of our beneficiaries.
Stewardship:
- Responsible for the effective operation and functions of program quality/technical assistance, finance, material resource management, growth, administration, information technology, and audit.
- Ensure that systems are in place to enable CRS Senegal and The Gambia to adhere to agency policies and procedures and that those policies and procedures are understood by all Staff.
- Ensure compliance with donor administrative and financial requirements and US Government OFAC and BIS regulations.
Staff Management and Development:
- Supervise and mentor staff, including development of performance plans and assessment of performance.
- Provide constructive feedback and counsel on appropriate career paths and professional development for CRS staff.
- Oversee the management, coaching and development of national and international staff to build cadre of skilled and committed personnel.
- Ensure diversity in recruitment practices to build a cadre of competent, motivated and committed personnel.
- Encourage principles of a just workplace and promote staff care and well-being.
Security and Emergency Response Management:
- Oversee the management of all security issues, including appropriate response to emergency situations as they arise
- Keep security, evacuation and contingency plans current and revise annually or as necessary and ensure adherence by all CRS staff.
- Supervise emergency responses. 4. Brief new staff and visitors on the general context.
Communications:
- Ensure open communications and encourage principles of a just workplace.
- Maintain a healthy and empowering office environment that encourages honest communication between CRS staff and partners.
- Ensure positive and productive communication with the Episcopal Conference and with the dioceses supported by CRS.
- Ensure open communications with regional management staff, regional technical advisors, and HQ departmental staff.
Strategic Direction, Program Quality and Growth:
- Implement the Senegal Strategic Program Plan in accordance with regional and agency strategy.
- Oversea short- and medium-term strategic planning for implementation of high quality programs.
- Identify opportunities for appropriate expansion and growth of programs and the acquisition and investment of human resources.
- Ensure that management and programming quality standards are upheld and that the country program strategic plan is applied appropriately.
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
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning
Country Representative Competencies
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each country representative to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Leads toward Strategic Results
• Manages Risk and Complexity
• Represents and Partners Strategically
• Champions Learning and Performance
Qualifications:
- Masters in International Development/Relations or related field
- 10 or more years of progressively responsible experience in PVO leadership and management
- Previous experience managing a large-scale PVO country program
- Proven ability to negotiate and work with local government
- Strong interpersonal, communication and organization skills as well as good judgment, vision and maturity
- Ability to operate successfully amidst complexity and uncertainty
- Demonstrated effectiveness with short- and long-term planning, as well as financial, human resource, and program management
- Experience with institutional strengthening and partnership building helpful
- Ability to work effectively in diverse environments and under pressure
- Demonstrated understanding of the importance of staff development
- Fluency in French and English
- Familiarity with West Africa is a plus.
Personal/Professional Skills:
- Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills as well as good judgment and vision.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Familiarity and/or appreciation of the social teachings of the Catholic Church and its structure; ability to work well within this framework
- Commitment to the Agency's mission and strategy
Key Working Relationships
Internal: SWA Regional Director and WA Regional technical and MQ staff, HQ departments, Overseas Support Department, PQSD, US Operations, and Human Resources.
External: Catholic Church Officials, Catholic Church agencies, local partner organizations, host country government agencies, donor agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, foreign governments.
Physical Requirements/Environment: The position is based in Dakar requiring travel 25% of time
Disclaimer Clause: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties and responsibilities associated with the position.
EOE/M/D/F/V
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