Program Manager - Emergency Response

Ref: 2011/45

Location: Nairobi with 60% travel to field locations

Background

Catholic Relief Services –USCCB is the official agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for relief and development overseas.

CRS supports programs in over 100 countries and works through local partners. CRS has been implementing development and emergency relief efforts in Kenya for the past forty years.

Catholic Relief Services is responding to the drought crisis in Kenya in several severely affected districts.

Though the rains have returned to the majority of the country, food insecurity, lack of access to water, conflict mitigation, early recovery livelihoods and Disaster Risk Reduction interventions are critical in returning drought affected families to normalcy and improving their resilience to future disasters.

Primary Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Emergency Response Coordinator the Emergency Response Manager will ensure high quality implementation of the emergency response and recovery programs under his/her direct management and supervision.

Project management includes both technical and budgetary oversight, working closely with CRS colleagues and local implementing partners.

The ERM will be responsible for preparing donor and other external reports, as well as for maintaining close professional relationships donors, Government Officials (both local and national) and relevant cluster leads.

In this role, s/he will be responsible for supporting CRS national program staff and local partners to develop capacity in various aspects of program management.

Finally, s/he will be responsible for contributing to the identification of opportunities and supporting any new emergency response programming as and when needed.

Summary of Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Oversee and ensure the successful implementation of emergency and recovery projects in the Greater Kenya context. Programs are likely to focus on WASH, Conflict Mitigation, Livelihoods/Early Recovery, Disaster Risk Reduction and Food Security
• Lead the planning of project activities and set high quality performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices and donor guidelines.
• Assist in the development and writing of high quality proposals based in CRS Propack, best practices, lessons learned and programming innovations
• Develop and implement strong M&E systems using CRS tools and resources to maximize project impact on beneficiaries.
• Spearhead/Develop innovative programming in emergency response and apply to the Kenya context. Specifically focusing on Disaster Mitigation/DRR
• Ensure proper financial management systems are in place and followed in coordination with the Country Program Finance Team.
• Ensure grant management compliance with donors regulations with support of the Country Program Compliance Team.
• Ensure timely acquisition of project inputs through close collaboration with the field level and Nairobi based procurement staff.
• With support from the relevant teams, prepare finance reports for projects under his/her supervision.
• Accompany CRS and Partner Project Officers in the submission of required donor project narrative reports, quarterly performance indicator tracking tables, as well as other reports needed/required by the local government, donors, the region or headquarters.
• Support CRS Project Officers and Partner Staff in baseline surveys and final evaluation reports

Desired Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

• Master’s Degree in international relations, international development or related field or relevant emergency field experience
• Minimum 3 years experience working within international development, including direct experience in fast paced, fluid emergency environments.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English. Ability to speak Swahili a plus.
• Demonstrated strong ability with project grants management, including project design, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, etc.
• Ability to spend at least 60% of his/her time travelling & willingness to travel on short notice
• Ability to cultivate constructive relationships and promote learning

Written applications indicating the reference number of position applied for and CV including day-time contact phone numbers, as well as names and contact information of three references should reach the below-mentioned by December 6, 2011.

Residents in this area are strongly encouraged to apply.

Human Resources Manager
Catholic Relief Services – Kenya Program
P.O. Box 49675, GPO 00100 Nairobi;
E-mail: hr@ke.earo.crs.org

Note: Please indicate the Reference Number of the position you are applying for on the ‘email subject’

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.