Job Title: Program Manager II, Livelihoods
Reports to: Iraq Head of Programming
Department: EMECA
Salary Grade: 10
Country/Location: Erbil, Iraq
About CRS:
Catholic Relief Services 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 is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.
Job Summary:
You will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the Iraq Country Program (CP)’s Livelihoods programming, particularly for l arge and complex projects, ensuring effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its Livelihoods programming.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of all new and existing projects within Iraq Livelihoods throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, 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 Livelihoods and supervise. 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 Livelihoods 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.
- Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP’s Livelihoods sector portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP Livelihoods strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals in Livelihoods per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
- Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in Livelihoods for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
- Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to Livelihoods 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.
Required Languages– Full professional proficiency in English. Arabic language proficiency is strongly preferred.
Travel– The position has frequent travel to other areas of Iraq, as accessible, including Duhok, Kirkuk, Ninewa, Baghdad, and Anbar governorates. Must be willing and able to travel within Iraq up to 30%, international travel up to 5%.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Livelihoods Project Manager, Livelihoods Project Officer
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Head of Programming, Head of Operations, Finance Manager, other Iraq CP Program Managers, EMECA Technical Advisors
External: Caritas Iraq and other local partners, peer organizations, consultants, local government, UN agencies and sector leads in the area.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including the US Department of State (BPRM) and USAID.
- Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
- Experience engaging with local partner organizations highly preferred.
- 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.
Basic Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations or in the field of Livelihoods required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in Livelihoods.
- Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.
***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.
CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.
CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.