Chief of Party II - Project Director, Expanding Financial Inclusion Project

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic Community. It works in several countries through local community groups and partner organizations. It promotes microenterprise development.

About the Job: 
CRS is seeking a Project Director. S/he will be responsible for overseeing the administrative, technical, and financial management of project activities to ensure it meets and/or exceeds its stated objectives and targets.

Note: This position is contingent upon the award of funding from the donor.

Tasks and Responsibilities: 

• Program quality:
  • Develop annual strategic and operational plans for the project and the regional team;
  • Oversee the development of the partner sub-grant agreements and annual country program work plans to ensure that all stated objectives are achieved;
  • Provide technical leadership for the project;
  • Oversee the training of country program and partner staff to ensure that the quality of PSP and SILC training ensures a quality outcome, as measured by both target achievement and industry comparable group outcomes;
  • Oversee the implementation of the M and E plan and the preparation of consultant agreements to ensure that stated learning objectives are met and that lessons regarding the PSP delivery model and poverty outreach are captured and disseminated for future programs;
  • Oversee periodic technical reviews and manage any required changes in program direction and focus;
  • In collaboration with regional team staff, provide guidance and technical oversight to implementing partners to ensure that lessons of sound practice are documented and disseminated.
• Management and administration:
  • Manage the EFI budget and the project’s resources to ensure the achievement of objectives, within the budget;
  • Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, review actual financial performance against the budget, and explain any variances;
  • Ensure staff compliance with CRS administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations;
  • Prepare program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donor.
• Representation and advocacy:
  • In collaboration with senior technical advisor (based on Nairobi) and four country representatives, act as primary project contact for stakeholders;
  • In collaboration with senior technical advisor (based in Nairobi) and four country representatives, oversee the project’s communication strategies, ensure compliance with the donor’s branding requirements, and CRS marketing and communication procedures.
• Human resource management:
  • Provide input into recruitment and orientation of new staff as may be required;
  • Prepare annual staff performance plans for all directly supervised staff;
  • 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;
  • Ensure that the contracts of contractors include effective performance measurement strategies tied to the project’s timeline.

Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Rural Finance, International Development, Business Administration or other closely-related field;
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in international development, at least 5 of which in a senior project management position overseas;
• Specialized knowledge of and experience with savings group programming – with a preference for community-agent and/or fee-for-service approaches;
• Proven leadership and inter-personal skills with the ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams;
• Proven experience in building and maintaining institutional linkages, particularly with local partner and national government agencies;
• Cultural sensitivity, patient, and flexibility;
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally at least 50% of the time;
• Fluency in English and professional proficiency in French, or vice-versa;
• Oral and written communication skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook.

Closing Date: 05 Jun 2013

How to Apply:
Apply Online