Project Director- Global Fund Malaria, Republic of Congo

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:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) began its programming in the Republic of Congo in 2017 at the invitation of the country’s Catholic Conference of Bishops and with a specific intent to provide emergency assistance during the last years of a long civil war. In 2018, CRS opened an office in Brazzaville to support work with the Global Fund and OFDA. In 2022, CRS is currently working with malaria prevention as the Principal Recipient of the Congo’s Global Fund Malaria grant and in emergency response and recovery with funded projects under OFDA and WFP.

Since 2018, CRS has served as Principal Recipient for the Global Fund grants for malaria and health system strengthening in Congo. CRS was granted for PR role for the new cycle of Global Fund Malaria Grant/New Financing Mechanism 2021-2023 (NFM3). The NFM3 grant will continue to support the current Congo malaria control strategic plan with the goal of reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality by 50% compared to 2016 rates. Additionally, CRS also has an important health system strengthening support role on the NFM3 grant, working with partners to strengthen the country’s community health system and health management information system, along with the national Covid-19 response to through the C19RM mechanism.

As Project Director, you will provide overall leadership to the Global Fund Malaria and health system strengthening project team and be responsible for the overall management of the project, including the quality of programmatic implementation (monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning) and administrative elements of the project to serve the poor and vulnerable, as well as relationship with the Global Fund, Ministry of Health, the national malaria program (PNLP) and different services and other public, private and non-government stakeholders. You are responsible for ensuring that project results are achieved on time and on budget, including strategies for capacity strengthening of the PNLP and overall sustainability. As a senior leader, you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, implementation and consolidation of the Global Fund Malaria project. Provide oversight for all aspects of program quality, program management, representation, and human resources. Serve as the primary point of contact to Global Fund as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders.
• In coordination with the PNLP and the Ministry of Health, ensure the project is designed and implemented to meet Global Fund expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability. Ensure coordination between program and operations leads. Ensure the CRS program quality standards through annual and quarterly activity planning and budget forecasts. Lead quarterly technical review of implementation plans.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and recruitment process of senior staff
• Coordinate with M&E department to oversee the design and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation system, using appropriate forms, procedures, and tools for data collection and analysis as the basis for measuring, documenting and reporting outcomes.
• Manage and mitigate risk. Ensure compliance in Global Fund grants including oversight of partner budgets, finance and administration, and reporting to Global Fund.
• Coordinate relationships with consortium partner organizations. Contribute to coordination of roles and activities of staff from consortium member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles.
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high quality training and technical assistance.
• Coordinate the High Performing Implementers (HPI) initiative with the PNLP. Contribute to coordination of roles and activities with the HPI manager and other partner organizations in line with CRS principles on Partners Capacity Strengthening and Local Leadership.

Basic Qualifications

• Masters degree in International Development, International Relations or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience managing large scale development grants, preferably focusing on Managing Global Fund Malaria Grant.
• Proven track record of successful USG funded program management, including management of multi-activity projects, complicated logistics and large budgets, as well as commodities.
• At least 3 years of supervisory experience, including performance evaluation, coaching and mentoring.

Required Languages – French and English Fluency required.

Travel Must be willing and able to travel up to 30 %.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven leadership and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams
• Proven experience in building and maintaining institutional linkages
• Ability to work to meet deadlines in multiple tasking environments
• Excellent organization, planning and analytical skills; detail oriented
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated strength in relationship management

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of CRS Partnership strategy and Partner management experience an advantage.
• Prior experience working in central Africa region, preferred.
• Experience managing Global Fund grants.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Excellent knowledge and experience in budget management and project management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Publisher, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Technical Components officers, HPI Manager, HMIS/Health System Strengthening officer, Community System Strengthening officer, Communication manager, Mass campaign manager, Admin and payments officer.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Country Representative, Head of Programming, Head of Operations, Deputy Regional Directors, Regional Technical Advisors, Global Fund Support Unit, GF Malaria Project staff, Congo Staff

External: Global Fund Portfolio Manager, GF Country Team, CCN, Ministry of Health (PNLP and other key departments), LFA, Sub-recipients, UN agencies, other Global Fund Principal Recipients for the HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis grants. The project is implemented through agreements with Government and civil society partners.

Qualifications

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 is an Equal Opportunity Employer