Project Manager - Food & Nutrition Security

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States, established to save, protect, and transform lives in need across more than 100 countries. The organization operates with a mission to serve the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS engages in various programs including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, ensuring a safe environment for all program participants and staff. CRS values diversity and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its commitment to humanitarian work. The organization emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture and offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees.

Job Overview:
The Project Manager - Food & Nutrition security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security will be responsible for managing, coordinating, and monitoring project activities aimed at reducing food insecurity and acute malnutrition among children under five and pregnant and breastfeeding women. This role requires strong project management skills and knowledge of food security and nutrition programming. The Project Manager will ensure high-quality programming and work towards improving the impact of the project. The position involves overseeing day-to-day activities related to General Food Distribution (GFD), Emergency Nutrition, and Food for Assets (FFA), ensuring that these activities are well-integrated and aligned with project goals. The Project Manager will also coordinate with various stakeholders, including technical advisors and partner organizations, to ensure compliance with technical standards and donor requirements. The role demands effective communication and collaboration with government institutions and community members to achieve project objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage and oversee the day-to-day activities of GFD, Emergency Nutrition, and FFA from start-up through implementation, monitoring, adaptation, and close-out.
• Coordinate activities to ensure they are sequenced and integrated according to the approved project design and budget.
• Lead the consolidation and review of implementation plans, schedules, and resource requirements with technical and field teams.
• Monitor progress against plans and facilitate routine implementation reviews, documenting actions and addressing delays or quality concerns.
• Coordinate with technical advisors to integrate guidance into implementation and ensure compliance with technical approaches and donor requirements.
• Manage programmatic aspects of GFD, including community engagement and distribution readiness.
• Coordinate Emergency Nutrition implementation and ensure timely integration of malnutrition screening and participant referrals.
• Serve as a key coordination point for partner organizations, facilitating regular reviews and monitoring implementation against plans.
• Work with the MEAL team to monitor outputs and incorporate findings into work plans. 1
• Represent the project in relevant forums and maintain relationships with national and county institutions. 1
• Supervise designated direct reports and promote staff well-being and professional development.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Food Security, Nutrition, Agriculture, Public Health, International Development, Project Management, or a related field. Candidates should have at least ten years of relevant field-based project management experience in humanitarian or development programs related to food security, nutrition, or similar areas. Demonstrated experience in managing complex projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and working with local or international partners is essential. Experience in managing donor-funded projects, including work planning and budget monitoring, is also required. Strong project management, coordination, planning, and implementation monitoring skills are necessary, along with a sound understanding of integrated food security and nutrition programming.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Food Security, Nutrition, Agriculture, Public Health, International Development, Project Management, or Community Development. A Master’s degree in a related field is preferred, particularly for those with experience managing integrated food security and nutrition programs in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least ten years of relevant field-based project management experience in humanitarian or development programs related to food security, nutrition, or similar areas. Experience managing moderately complex projects or major components of complex projects is essential, along with a proven track record of coordinating multidisciplinary technical and operational teams. Familiarity with managing donor-funded projects, including work planning, budget monitoring, and partner coordination, is also required.

Languages:
Fluent written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the local context may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position involves significant travel, with a willingness and ability to travel up to 70% of the time to project locations in Marsabit and Turkana counties for partner coordination, field monitoring, and project management. The role includes supervisory oversight of Senior Project Officers in various areas such as food distribution and nutrition. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture. The organization is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people, especially children and vulnerable adults, and requires all staff to adhere to its Code of Conduct.