$
| Livelihoods Program Manager (STAR) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Afghanistan | Province | Herat, |
| Categories | Program, | Type | Full Time |
| Post Date | 2024-02-29 | Close Date | 2024-03-05 |
| Vacancy No | CRS/HRT/24/23 | Gender | male female |
| No Of Jobs | 1 | Contract Duration | 6 months with possibility of Extension |
| Education | Master's Degree in agricultural economics, economics, rural development, development studies, or related field required. Additional experience may substitute for some education. | Experience | Minimum of three years relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with minimum of two years relevant field-based experience in livelihoods programming. • Knowledge of technical principles and concepts |
| Organization | Opportunities for you | Salary | As per CRS salary scale |
About Company
About CRS: 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. Background: CRS has been working on behalf of Afghan families since 2002, with hundreds of experienced Afghan staff working in offices across the country. We provide emergency relief, inclusive education, improved agricultural techniques, and other life‐enriching services to tens of thousands of households. The country’s long conflict has left many families displaced and impoverished, but the war’s end in 2021 has opened the exciting possibility of reaching many previously inaccessible communities. CRS is currently implementing programs in the provinces of Bamiyan, Daykundi, Ghor, Herat, and Kabul, and is exploring additional expansion. CRS maintains five main offices in the country as well as several sub-offices that support the direct implementation of program activities. With over 200 staff, the Country Program is growing to meet new needs throughout the country. Supporting Transformation for Afghanistan’s Recovery (STAR) Consortium project: STAR is a multi-sectoral project implemented by a consortium of 6 INGOs led by CRS which aims to build the resilience of households in some of the poorest and most conflict-affected districts across Afghanistan. The initial, $20 million phase of the project took place from February 2021 – September 2023 and reached 110,323 direct participants and 605,392 indirect project participants across 324 communities in 9 provinces. The project team strengthened the food and livelihoods security of community members through resilience-focused agricultural and livestock support, business training and value-chain activities, and skill-building and linkages to markets. The project also supported to improved access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene and helped improve child protection networks and well-being of children and youth. CRS is preparing for an extension of the project that will focus on strengthening the resilience and capacities of civilian victims of conflict through livelihoods interventions. Through this $8.3 million, 15-month cost extension, STAR will finish up WASH activities and support an estimated 7,500 new individuals across approximately 3 provinces to increase income, restore livelihoods and enhance resilience. The extension will build upon successes and learning from the first phase of the project. The STAR livelihoods project activities during this extension phase will focus on income generation through small enterprise development (business planning, marketing, bookkeeping, application of technical best practices, troubleshooting, peer exchange and coaching support, and other related topics) and household financial management. Work will include micro and small enterprise development and other activities to increase income and better manage existing household financial resources.
Job Description
You will manage the program design and implementation of the STAR livelihoods programming in line with CRS’ program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to 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 programming.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- Manage and implement all activities throughout relevant project cycles - project design, start-up, implementation and close-out - to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. Ensure project team use the appropriate systems and tools.
- Effectively manage talent and supervise. 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.
- Champion learning with project staff. Analyze and evaluate project performance data following MEAL policy. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.
- Act as a key resource person in project design and proposal development in livelihoods programming area, gap-filling and taking on growth responsibilities, as needed.
- Coordinate the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
- Help identify, assess and strengthen partnerships relevant to STAR projects, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
- Coordinate and monitor financial and material resources relevant to project needs. Through planning and oversight ensure efficient use of project resources
Job Requirement
- Master's Degree in agricultural economics, economics, rural development, development studies, or related field required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
- Minimum of three years relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with minimum of two years relevant field-based experience in livelihoods programming.
- Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in livelihoods programming. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
- Experience in project design and proposal development. Experience in writing content for proposals.
- Knowledge of capacity strengthening best practices.
- Experience with program monitoring and evaluation and analysis.
- Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings
- Good strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
- Good technical writing skills
- Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
- Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented
Preferred Qualifications
- Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Two Senior Project Officers for CFW and IGA
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: STAR team, Head of Programming, Deputy Head of Programming, Country Program Technical Advisors, Regional Technical Advisor for Livelihoods
External: Local stakeholders, coordination bodies, implementing partners
Required Languages – Fluency in English, Dari, and Pashto required.
Travel – Must be willing to travel up to 50% to CRS offices and field locations.
"CRS is committed to providing daily allowances for mahrams who accompany female staff on day trips to the field, and per diem and accommodation for mahrams who accompany female staff on work-related trips that require overnight staying."
Agency REDI 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' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Protection Acknowledgment: CRS prohibits all forms of abuse and exploitation towards children and vulnerable adults. As a professional candidate, you commit to adhering to the Agency’s policy on protection, rights and dignity of children and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from abuse and exploitation as defined in CRS’ Safeguarding Policy
Submission Guideline
Applications comprise a one-page cover letter to explain your interest and suitability for the post and your CV. Please do not attach your education documents and work certificates unless requested.
Dear Applicants!
The process of submitting a CV/Application has been changed to the online system. Therefore, interested candidates are encouraged to apply using the link provided below. Applications sent to any other email address or location will not be considered. Please ensure to rename your application file according to your name entered on the first page of the application forms.
Interested candidates can submit their applications by clicking on this link.
Please note that applications received after the closing date (i.e., March 5th, 2024), will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for tests and interviews.