Country Programmes Manager (CPM)

Organizational Context

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international non-governmental Organization registered in the Vatican, with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate for forcibly displaced people that they may heal, learn and determine their own future. JRS programmes are currently found in over 58 countries, serving refugees, other forcibly displaced persons and members of the host communities. The main programmes provided are in the field of Education, Livelihoods, Reconciliation, Advocacy and Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support. JRS facilitates involvement of individuals and communities and promotes regional and global cooperation and networking on behalf of refugees and the forcibly displaced. JRS works cooperatively with other organisations and agencies in order to achieve its mission. It seeks work in situations where no one else is working, where it can bring a particular expertise to bear, where its presence will attract others, where it can build its work on an existing network and where its presence can send a larger message to decision makers and others.

Operational Context/Role

The Country Programmes Manager’s primary responsibility is to coordinate and support the implementation of all aspects of programming within the country with the guidance and support of the Country Director and the Regional Programmes Officer. He/she will be responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the country programmes, under the direction of the Country Director. He/she is required to identify and develop key opportunities for programmes focused on refugees, IDPs and other populations affected by conflict. Together with the Country Director, the CPM will also be responsible for fundraising and grant management. The CPM will work in close collaboration with the Project Office in defining all aspects of the project cycle. The Country Programmes Manager will implement positive and effective relationships with key partners and stakeholders in the interest of promoting JRS’s objectives.

Relationships

The Programmes Manager works as part of the JRS Malawi senior management team and reports directly to the Country Director and receives technical support from the Regional and International Office programmes personnel.

Key Responsibilities

Coordination of JRS programmes at country level

• In consultation with the Country Director and relevant stakeholders, to analyze regularly the unmet needs of refugees and other populations of concern and to suggest new initiatives to the Country Director;
• Through a consultative process within the country and field visits, to assist in the development of strategies, methodologies, contingency plans that respond to new and emerging challenges for the country;
• To assist in and provide inputs developing the country operations plan, aligned with the global strategic framework and priorities and regional priorities as well as with annual programming/planning.
• Supervise and support all Project Managers to ensure delegation of functions and timely quality performance.

Project-related activities

• With the Country and Project Managers, to be responsible for the planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of JRS projects within the country;
• To plan and conduct annual needs assessments for each project site, according to JRS standards and guidelines;
• In consultation with the Country Director and in collaboration with the Project Managers, to set methodologies in compliance with JRS operational frameworks, timetables and resources for project evaluations;
• To produce project proposals and reports according to JRS standards and donor-related requirements (funding proposal / reports) in collaboration with the Country Director and Regional Programmes Manager.
• To carry out frequent project visits to monitor and evaluate the activities to ensure timely and quality implementation according to the JRS vision and mission, standards and guidelines and donor specific requirements, and provide feedback to the field;
• To frequently travel to the field, to train and update Project Managers and other key field staff (i.e. managers) in project writing, management, compliance, monitoring and evaluation according to JRS’ standards and guidelines as well as suggesting improvements of planning, programming implementation and current processes.
• To ensure project learning is generated and documented, and shared within the JRS network
• Liaise with country, regional, and international technical support officers as needed to ensure relevancy and quality of activities
• To ensure capacity development of project managers on JRS operational frameworks, (eg Education, MHPSS approach, Pathfinder, Pastoral Care and Gender mainstreaming etc)

Support and Communication

• When requested, to represent JRS Malawi in international meetings, including JRS IO annual Country Programmes meetings;
• To communicate regularly with the Regional Programmes Manager and with the IO Desk Officer in the Programmes and Innovation Department informing them on all major issues and developments in programming within the country.

Relations with partner and donor agencies

• To maintain close working relations and attend meetings with JRS’s partner agencies, as well as with other international humanitarian/development organizations including UNHCR, funding agencies and church bodies;
• To support the organizational fundraising actions by maintaining regular contact, including meetings with donor representatives and by submitting project funding proposals and managing donor reporting;
• In close collaboration with the Country Director, to negotiate funding or partnership agreements;
• To attend cluster and other relevant coordination meetings;
• To build strong rapport with the major partners/donors as well as with government counterparts (i.e. Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Welfare);
• To explore and help create possibilities for new partnerships/ donors;
• To develop relevant communication tools to keep team members, partners and donors regularly informed of progress of activities;
• To represent the organisation in meetings, giving talks and presentations when requested by the Country Director.

Work with the Country Team

• To work closely with other members of the Country Office to fulfil its function of shared leadership through the coordination of all programming efforts in the country;
• To attend regular team meetings, planning meetings and workshops; in particular, to collaborate with the Country Finance Manager and any other Officers.

Budgeting

• To monitor regularly project income and expenditure in conjunction with the Country Finance Manager;
• To assist the Country Director in ensuring that projects have enough funding for their implementation;
• To submit, in conjunction with the Country Finance Manager, the annual budget for the projects to the Country Director for approval.

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced University degree, preferably in Project Management, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent;
• At least four (4) years of experience working with NGOs proposal and reports writing, project evaluation and monitoring;
• Professional experience in a similar capacity with international, non-profit organizations;
• Knowledge of and experience with strategic framework, log frames, etc.

Required Skills and competencies

• Excellent project management skills with experience in managing and supervising projects.
• Excellent knowledge of the project cycle and logical framework approach.
• Possess good knowledge of planning and strategizing financial and budgeting issues.
• Experience with basic financial management skills including developing and monitoring budgets and financial reporting.
• Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines and produce quality results on time with attention to detail.
• Proficient in using computers with related knowledge of software programs and Internet.
• Self-direction, creativity, and follow up skills to ensure work is accurate and deadlines are met.
• Ability to prioritize and manage several tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and promote effective teamwork.
• Strong ability to work under pressure.
• Strong management, analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Good organizational skills and high attention to detail.
• Ability to work with and maintain good relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in working in developing countries is highly desirable.
• Ability to perform in cross-functional team approach and job responsibilities.
• Good understanding of the organization’s overall business and its objectives.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Ability to work within a team and provide support to colleagues.
• Willingness to work and travel to refugee settings in challenging environments.
• Excellent proficiency in written and verbal English; a professional working knowledge of a language spoken in the country is desirable.

Required Core values

• Good understanding of and compatibility with the values of JRS;
• Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision and values; the ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
• High integrity, honesty and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations and information.
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value;