Senior Program Manager at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established presence in Nigeria in 2000 and currently focuses on vulnerable children, agriculture, health and HIV, extractives and governance, and peace building programming.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job /Title: Senior Program Manager

Department/ Health Systems Strengthening Unit
Location: Abuja
Band: E1
Reports To: GF Coordinator/Head of Unit
Supervisees: M & E Mgr., Supply Chain Officer, Technical Managers, ACSM Officer

Job Summary
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) shares the National Malaria Elimination Program’s (NMEP) vision for a malaria-free Nigeria and its goal to reduce the malaria burden to pre-elimination levels and bring malaria-related mortality to zero. CRS will partner with the NMEP as a sub-recipient on the Global Fund Malaria New Funding Model grant for Nigeria in Ondo and Ekiti states.

CRS will support NMEP in the implementation of the following interventions:

• Vector Control - distribution of LLINs.
• Case management - diagnosis with Rapid Diagnostic Kits (RDTs, treatment with Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACTs); treatment for severe malaria with injectable Artesunate.
• Specific Prevention Interventions (SPI) - Intermittent Preventive Therapy in Pregnancy (IPTp).
• Procurement and Supply Chain Management.
• Health Information Systems and M&E.
• Program Management.

Primary Function

• The GF/NFM Senior Program Manager (SPM) will be responsible for coordinating the planning process and implementation of the program activities to achieve donor targets in accordance with the work plans, approved deadlines, within the budget limitations and donor guidelines.
• The SPM must also ensure integration of other CRS activities and programs with other GF/NFM programs especially in states where these projects coexist.

Job Responsibilities
1.) Program Management:

• Provide support to the GF Coordinator/Head of Unit in managing the GF/NFM project.
• Coordinate the planning process and ensure that program activities are implemented according to the work plans, approved deadlines, and within the budget limitations
• Ensures that the CRS Zero Cash Policy is respected at the field level programming.
• Coordinates capacity building activities of the CRS GF malaria staff and partner staff.
• Ensures the proper execution of the monitoring and evaluation plan and the elaboration of the various trip reports with the assistance of the multidisciplinary team.
• Coordinates the process of requesting funds from NMEP.
• Manage program budgets, including tracking of financial and material resources, according to the policies and guidelines of GFATM and CRS
• Conduct program wide quarterly program review meetings for assigned CRS GF malaria states, coordinate the analysis of the quarterly M&E reports and follow up with appropriate actions.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of program finances and progress status to the management structures of CRS and NMEP.

2.) Budget Management:

• With support from the Finance and Compliance team, work with the GF/NFM Local Partner Treatment Facilities (LPTFs) in budget management, including monthly liquidation and request for advance.
• Actively participate in activities to ensure appropriate budget planning and financial reporting by partners.
• Review actual financial performance against the budget, and explain variances on a regular basis
• Approves program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors
• Actively participate in activities to ensure partners remain in compliance with CRS and GF donor rules and regulations for management of resources
• Participate actively in the monthly Budget Comparison Report (BCR) meetings.

3.) Partnership Management:

• Act as primary contact/support for designated partners, including sharing new information and taking the lead on ensuring healthy relationships are maintained between partners and CRS/ NMEP/SMoH
• Provide support to partners as requested, including project development and facilitation of workshops and supporting partners to build linkages with other implementing partners and state governments
• Build relationships with other stakeholders in the state which will include other implementing partners, state governments and state agencies for Malaria control.

4.) Training and Mentoring:

• Ensure that all meetings and trainings hold as scheduled and provide leadership at these meetings when present.
• Serve as a resource person at malaria trainings coordinated by CRS.
• Ensure all members of the GF Malaria team understand program priorities and promote buy in from team.
• Support the planning and delivery of trainings, workshops and other capacity development interventions for CRS staff and partners.

5.) Representation:

• Represents CRS at all national level meetings with NMEP, LFA and fiduciary agent.
• Represents CRS at all national level technical meetings with other malaria partners e.g. Technical Working Groups etc.

CRS/Nigeria Program Responsibilities
The Senior Program Manager will also participate as a full member of the CRS/Nigeria Program Department. This will include active involvement in all Program Department activities; with particular emphasis on coordination with other GF/NFM program staff.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Participate in review of project proposals
• Participate in Program Department meetings and contribute to development of Program Department priorities
• Research, stay up to date on, and disseminate GF/NFM methodologies, best practices, M&E tools, reports, findings, etc., including those from other country programs, that can be useful for CRS/Nigeria GF/NFM programming
• Participate in and share information from relevant trainings and workshops, as requested
• Participate in CRS/Nigeria strategic planning and implementation of strategic priorities

Agency Wide Competences (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

Key working relationships:

• Internal: Country representative CRS Nigeria, GF Coordinator/Head of Unit, Health Systems Strengthening program and finance team members, Head of Programming and CRS Finance and Administration Staff, as well as, the GF Malaria team as a whole.
• External: NMEP, Assigned GF/NFM partners and partner field offices staff, staff of the LFA, NMEP, State Ministries of Health (SMOH), other malaria implementing partners.
• Physical Requirements/Environment: Ability to travel frequently to the project sites in Ondo and Ekiti states.

Qualifications

• M.D/MBBS required with significant field experience in clinical and/or community-based malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment OR post graduate degree in health management or public health.
• At least 8 years of post NYSC relevant experience in public health with a strong preference for candidates with at least 5 years’ experience in malaria programming . Some health-related community development experience is required.
• Experience managing developmental programs is required.
• Experience in malaria programming at the field level and providing technical assistance to partner organizations; knowledge and experience of programmatic and technical service delivery challenges highly desired.
• Ability to work both in a team and independently and ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training.
• Experience with, and a demonstrated commitment to, community-based approach to development.
• Experience with GF donor funding requirement a plus.
• Ability to interface with multiple stakeholders, representatives, and partners in a professional manner on an ongoing basis.
• Excellent analytical and information seeking skills, good decision-making skills.
• Experience with participatory planning and evaluation methods preferred.
• Strong inter-personal and public relations skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly and at short notices.
• Excellent English language oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook.

Disclaimer Clause:

• This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Application Closing Date
5pm, Thursday 18th June, 2015.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should download the Application Form below and send with a detailed resume as attached MS word document to: [email protected] Application must explicitly state the position and location applied for in the application form and in the subject of the email e.g Senior Program Manager - Abuja.

Note: Only applications sent in the required format will be considered and only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Click Here To Download Application Form