Program Manager I, Market Systems -Timor Leste

Job Title: Program Manager I – Market Systems, Timor Leste

Reports to: CRS TL Head of Programming

Department: 362.Country Programming

Salary Grade: 9

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 Timor-Leste currently has a diverse portfolio of projects, including agriculture livelihoods (nutrition-sensitive agriculture, climate-smart agriculture, technical assistance for enhanced productivity), peacebuilding, saving and internal lending communities (SILC), disaster risk reduction (DRR), humanitarian response, and water security. Current donors include United States Agency of International Development (USAID), USAID/Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, Australian Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), UN Women, and Latter-Day Saints Church.

Job Summary:

You will manage the four-year follow-on for the multi-sector TOMAK Project, funded by the Australian Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)- which focuses on food and market systems, nutrition and behavior change, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, aquaculture and saving and internal lending communities (SILC). Responsibilities include supervising a team of project managers, advancing the country program’s expertise in market systems and contributing to CP business development efforts. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of agriculture and livelihoods programming. In line with agency and regional commitment to work toward greater diversity and increasingly local CP leadership teams, you will prioritize local leadership and hiring, training and mentoring of high -capacity national staff capable to take senior program positions.

This position will be based in Baucau and is contingent upon funding.

Required Languages – Written and spoken English proficiency; willingness to learn Tetun is desirable.

Travel– Must be willing and able to travel up to 25% to field locations and Dili. This position is based in Baucau.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 3-4 TOMAK Project Managers

Key Working Relationships:

Internal:Head of Programming, Sub-Regional MEAL Manager, Baucau Head of Office, Operations Manager, Country Manager, Finance Manager, Project Managers, MEAL Project Manager, MEAL Project Officers, Sub-Regional Business Development Specialist, Regional Technical Advisors

External:Other International Non-governmental organizations (INGO), local partners, donors and government stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

Preferred Qualification:

• Strong experience in project grants management, in nutrition programming, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID and DFAT.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations.
• Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.
• MEAL skills and experience preferred.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience working with disability inclusion initiatives
• Experience managing large-scale research studies

Responsibilities for Internal Candidates

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 and partner staff use the appropriate systems and tools.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise a large team, including 3-4 direct reports. Manage team dynamics for the Country Program’s largest project 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.
• In coordination with the Country Manager and Head of Programming, contribute to the proactive pursuit of strategic business development opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP strategic priorities.
• Champion learning with project staff and partner teams. Analyze and evaluate project performance data following MEAL policy. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.
• Drafting, reviewing, and finalizing progress reports, briefs, and formal communications to donors, government officials, and CRS management.
• Coordinate the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
• Help identify, assess and strengthen partnerships relevant to nutrition-sensitive agriculture and overall program quality, 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

Qualifications for Internal Candidates

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in the field of market systems or agriculture required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing light to moderately complex projects required, preferably with an international NGO.

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

***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