Program Manager II (Financial Services for the Poor Specialist) 125 views

Internal/External Job Announcement

About CRS: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through programs of emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. For nearly 60 years, CRS has taken the lead in responding to natural and man-made disasters affecting Ethiopia’s most vulnerable communities. Moving beyond emergency response, CRS’ disaster mitigation and recovery projects in drought and flood-prone areas have rebuilt individual and community assets through non-food aid in the form of agriculture, livestock, health, nutrition, and water and sanitation assistance. CRS’s humanitarian work in Ethiopia also provides livelihoods support to farmers and entrepreneurs, promotes equality and inclusion, and mitigates the impact of COVID-19.

As part of CRS family, you will join the more than 5000 strong and vibrant individuals working globally to accomplish the mission of CRS. CRS/Ethiopia invites you, the qualified candidate, to apply for the following position.

Job Summary:

As the Financial Services for the Poor Specialist, you will manage and provide technical oversight of the improved access to financial services components of the USAID-funded Highlands Resilience Activity (HRA), ensuring effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming and timely achievement of HRA program interventions. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure consistency of implementation, strategies and approaches; support monitoring and evaluation; and support the technical coordination of the selected improved access to financial services activities for the program. The successful candidate will have a proven track record implementing US government projects and working with CSOs, FBOs and host governments in developing and supporting improved access to financial services for rural communities.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

·         Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of improved access to financial services activities throughout the HRA project cycle to ensure project start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.

·         Effectively manage talent for and supervise program managers and/or technical advisors. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.

·         Lead the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in the area of improved access to financial services and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.

·         Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in improved access to financial services programming for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.

·         Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to the HRA program and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.

·         Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.

Typical Background, Experience and Requirements

Basic Qualifications

·         Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in Agricultural Economics/Agriculture, Rural Development, Economics or related field preferred.

·         Minimum 5 years demonstrated experience with USG or other similar development projects focusing on financial services for the poor, including credit, savings, insurance, payment systems and remittance services, preferably with an understanding of the Ethiopian context

·         Experience in managing moderately complex projects, preferably with an international NGO.

Required Languages – Professional level proficiency in written and spoken English is required.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 30% of time.

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

·         Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including national and local government, donors, cooperatives, community-based organizations, and the private sector.

·         Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions.

·         Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.

·         Good presentation and facilitation skills.

·         Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

 Preferred Qualifications

·         Good experience in project management, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.

·         Experience engaging with partner organizations

·         MEAL skills and experience required.

·         Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.

·         Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

 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.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

 Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none): Project Managers and/or Technical Advisors

 Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Project Support Officer, Regional/Senior Technical Advisors, Country Program Technical Leads

External: Implementing Partners, Government Technical Staff