Project Manager I – Disaster Preparedness and Anticipatory Action At Catholic Relief Services

Job Title: Project Manager I – Disaster Preparedness and Anticipatory Action

Department: Programs – Emergency Response

Report to: Program Manager II – Emergencies

Job Location: Kampala/Uganda

Vacancies: One (1)

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.

CRS has been working in Uganda since 1965 and has a vibrant portfolio of projects, serving over a million vulnerable Ugandans and refugees each year through the Country Program 2030 Strategy. CRS programs in Uganda currently support five strategic priority areas, including Health and Social Services Systems Strengthening, Resilient Food Systems, Emergency Preparedness and Management, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Local Leadership. CRS Uganda implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including international and local NGOs, Ugandan government departments and ministries, the Catholic Church, and community-based organizations for maximum impact and sustainability.

About the Project:

CRS in partnership with Local Partners with anticipated funding from CRS headquarter will be implementing a Strengthening Disaster Preparedness and Anticipatory Action project in Butaleja and Bududa Districts which will be complemented by CRS initiative Preparing for Enhanced Protection in Disasters (PrEPD) for a period of one year to leverage on its past learning from Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programs implemented in the same locations.

Job Summary:

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Anticipatory Action (DRR/AA) Project Manager will be responsible for managing and contributing to high-quality implementation of disaster preparedness and anticipatory action programming within CRS Uganda, as well as successful management of CRS’ relationships with local partners and stakeholders. Under the supervision and guidance of the Program Manager for Emergencies, and supported by local Partners, the DRR Project Manager will be responsible for overall management, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of project activities as per the project scope of work, results framework, and M&E plan. S/He will provide technical support to local partner to operate in all geographical areas as assigned by the grant/project. The Project Manager will lead the project team and maintain relationships with other program staff in CRS Uganda and will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of this project.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead on overall project management, budget management, monitoring and reporting activities throughout the project cycle – start-up, implementation and close-out – in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise local partner Staff. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities following MEAL Policy. Proactively identify issues, report them to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Provide technical leadership on DRR and Anticipatory action and PrEPD Toolkit to the overall project and the Local partner, including strengthening capacities through mentorship and accompaniment.
• Represent the organization with donors, INGO working groups, UN, relevant local partners and relevant local government and community actors for the technical sectors of disaster preparedness and anticipatory action
• Coordinate activities required for ensuring the financial, material and human resources for the quality implementation of the project. Conduct periodic budget reviews and follow-up with partners on timely submission of financial reports to facilitate proper tracking of resource use.
• Identify staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and contribute to capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
• Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and disseminate results. Review project documentation to ensure project file is complete with all required documentation and is filed per agency and donor requirements.

Basic qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in disaster management, urban planning, climate adaptation, resilience, water/natural resource management or similar field would be a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in project management, ideally in the field related to DRR, natural resource management and environmental impact mitigation.
• Good and demonstrated knowledge of Anticipatory Action is a must.
• Basic understanding of protection principles to ensure safe and dignified programming in DRR is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant grant management experience, especially for or other public donors, a plus.
• Staff supervision experience.
• Experience working with stakeholders at various levels and strengthening community partnerships.
• Ability to contribute to the development of technical proposals, a plus.
• Experience analyzing data and contributing to evaluation reports.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders. Representation abilities.
• Ability to contribute to written reports
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented.

Required Languages: Strong written and verbal communication skills in English with ability to write technical reports. Strong written and spoken communication skills in local languages spoken within Mt. Elgon sub – region would be a plus.

Required Travel: The position will be based in Kampala with frequent travel to the project location (30%-50%) for training and coordination with local partner as required.

Key Working Relationships

• Supervisory: The PM DRR will supervise the assigned project officer assigned by the local partner.
• Internal: CRS Sr. Program Manager for Emergencies, CRS All Right Project Manager, Country Representative, Head of Programs, Regional and Headquarters technical staff.
• External: Local partner staff, representatives from for-profit and other non-profit organizations and relevant national, district, sub-county, parish and other government stakeholders, community leaders.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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.

• Personal Accountability –Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding related topics.