Program Manager II - Emergency Response Coordinator, Grande Anse

Position Title: Program Manager II-Emergency Response Program Coordinator for the Grande Anse Work Location: Jeremie Sub Office, Southern Haiti Reports to: Les Cayes Field Office Director Desired Start Date: September 2011 Length of Contract: 12 months

THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON APROVAL FROM DONOR.

Job Summary:

Catholic Relief Services Haiti Program is carrying out development projects in Grande Anse Province in three main programmatic areas: Disaster Risk Reduction, HIV/AIDs programming, and a Multi Year Assistance Program (MYAP). These three programs comprise of thematic interventions that range from Rural Livelihoods, Health, Protection, Emergency Response and School Feeding. CRS has been implementing through partner organizations in Grande Anse and continues to develop strategic relationships with local partners throughout the department.

Grande Anse is located in south western Haiti at the tip of the southern claw. It is one of the poorest areas of Haiti, where high levels of food insecurity and vulnerability to natural disasters, lack of investment and government spending, poor education opportunities and devastating environmental practices all contribute to an impoverished landscape. CRS currently maintains a sub office in Jeremie, the departmental capital, with approximately 10 full time staff.

CRS recently submitted a proposal to address a rising food insecurity situation throughout rural Grande Anse. The proposal is designed to provide food aid/relief through a series of locally procured food distributions via traditional vouchers and a new innovative mobile phone voucher platform. If awarded, this new grant will have significant impact on the operations of the sub office, doubling the size of the current programming and requiring the need for additional programming and management oversight and supervision, as well as local representation in Grande Anse with donors, partners, UN agencies, local government and other stakeholders.

CRS Haiti has invested considerable resources to develop the capacity of local staff to implement high quality programs in a challenging and rugged environment. The country program has also pioneered approaches for operating as a learning organization, in part by working closely with universities and other research institutions, and is currently initiating an innovative monitoring and evaluation system emphasizing learning and analysis.

The Program Coordinator will be responsible for: ensuring quality implementation of all programs in the department; monitoring and evaluation; reporting; quality operations of the sub office, and representation with donors in Grande Anse. The Program Coordinator will be supported by the Les Cayes Field Director, the Head of Programming South, technical program managers, and other senior country staff. The Program Coordinator will work with and support senior local program staff. There will be an emphasis on building the capacity of local staff, NGO partners, and government counterparts.

Working Environment:

Haiti is a challenging environment to work in. The country is ranked among the poorest in the world with one of the worst GINI indexes. Jeremie is charmingly rustic, with simple but comfortable living conditions. The city of Jeremie is generally safe and pleasant, with regular access to other parts of the country at all times during the year. Jeremie is a port town located on the southern claw of the Haitian coast. Mobile phone and internet communications are dependable. Jeremie is approximately a four hour drive from Les Cayes, or a 45min flight to Port au Prince (PaP). Travel is generally done by road to Les Cayes and by air to and from PaP. Currently the Les Cayes – Jeremie road is under construction. Once the project is completed (2013) travel time is expected to nearly halve.

Specific Responsibilities:

The Program Coordinator is primarily a program position with additional responsibilities in building the administrative and financial capacity of senior local staff and partners in Grande Anse. The Program Coordiantor will:

1. General Management Coordination

• Coordinate and lead Senior Management Meetings, provide updates, raise important issues and concerns, and assist in the recruitment of staff at all levels. • Coordinate the program managers and support departments both in Jeremie and Les Cayes in order to ensure the integrity of CRS’ implementing partner’s administrative, and logistical systems, are compliant with CRS and donors policies and regulations. • Directs, coordinates and supervises the programs adherence to administrative and financial rules and regulations of the organizations. • Participate in program coordination meetings with program managers and officers. • Ensures systems, procedures, and management quality policies are implemented as per the country program guidelines.

1. Program Quality

• Coordinate the activities of the main programs (CHAMP and Emergency Food Insecurity Response), in collaboration with senior programming staff in Grande Anse and Les Cayes; • Support and build capacity of Grande Anse based program managers and partners in project planning/implementation, budget oversight and reporting; • Work with program managers, project staff and the Head of Programming South to develop a long-term rural development strategy for Grande Anse; • Identify funding opportunities and develop proposals for external funding by public and private donors based on the Country Program’s development strategy, in cooperation with the CRS/Haiti Business Development Unit, Head of Programming South, DCR for Programs and Country Representative;

1. Management Quality

• Build capacity of support departments to implement CRS/Haiti admin and finance policies/procedures, ensuring the smooth functioning of the Jeremie sub office; • Monitor the implementation of the CRS Performance Management System and recommend suitable staff development programs for improvement. • Lead and promote staff care initiative for both national and international staff. • Authorize and monitor sub office program expenses. Ensure that all program resources are used with the highest degree of stewardship. • Approve purchase requests and ensure the efficiency and compliance of the procurement procedures are in line with CRS and donor purchasing policies and procedures.

1. Representation

• Take the lead in representation of the CRS Grande Anse programs to donor, government officials, and UN agencies, especially WFP, FAO, and UNICEF • Coordinate with other INGOs and local NGOs, particularly CARE, Red Cross, and the Haiti Health Foundation • Maintain strong relationships and representation of CRS before the Catholic Church, specifically the Dioceses of Jeremie and Caritas partners located in Grande Anse. • Maintain and/or develop productive relationships and communication with key stake holders in relevant Government Ministries and communities

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff) These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results. • Serves with Integrity • Models Stewardship • Cultivates Constructive Relationships • Promotes Learning

Program Manager Competencies These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each program manager to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results. • Sets clear goals and manages toward them • Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders • Manages financial resources with integrity • Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning

Key Working Relationships: INTERNAL: Country Representative, Les Cayes Field Director, Head of Programming South, Les Cayes Senior Admin Manager, Les Cayes Head of Finance MYAP Coordinator, DCR for Operations, DCR for Programs, CHAMP Program Chief of Party, Jeremie Program Managers and Admin staff.

EXTERNAL: Local government ministries, donor staff, local partners based in Grande Anse, community based organizations, MINUSTAH, local/international NGO offices and UN agencies.

Personal Skills: 1. Strong sensitivity to local cultures 2. Strong teamwork, coordination and strategic planning skills. 3. Research, analysis and excellent writing skills. 4. Ability to think strategically and innovatively. 5. Ability to assess complex programs and situations rapidly and form accurate opinions. 6. Strong listening skills combined with excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural skills. 7. Ability to respond practically and operate successfully in difficult field conditions. 8. Ability to be flexible, persistent and diplomatic and to gain respect among staff, local community leaders as well as local government ministries and donor organizations.

Qualifications: 1. Advanced degree in a development or related field, or professional experience in the same areas 2. Preferable five or more years experience in developing countries with a good understanding of development issues 3. Preferable experience in Haiti 4. Demonstrated experience in grant/proposal writing experience and emergency program implementation 5. Strong knowledge and experience in CRS admin/finance policies and procedures 6. Demonstrated experience in managing staff 7. Willingness to travel to and work in remote areas for extended periods 8. Proficiency in spoken and written French

To apply, please visit http://crs.org/about/careers/

EOE/M/F/D/V