Program Manager

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, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS's work encompasses various sectors, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS is dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, ensuring that its processes and policies reflect this commitment. The organization prioritizes hiring candidates from the regions in which it operates, and its talent acquisition procedures emphasize the rights and dignity of all individuals.

Job Overview:
The Program Manager will play a crucial role in providing strategic direction and management for the program office’s initiatives, complementing the Country Manager’s efforts to establish and implement high-quality programs aimed at serving the poor and vulnerable populations. This position requires strong management and programming skills, along with the ability to mobilize resources effectively to secure grants and deliver impactful programming. The Program Manager will be responsible for ensuring that the programming aligns with regional and agency strategic priorities, and will lead the design of strategic frameworks and plans that optimize the impact of interventions. The role also involves coordinating project planning, managing team dynamics, and fostering a learning environment within the organization. The Program Manager will work closely with various stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of projects and the continuous improvement of programming outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Manager will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Collaborating with the Country Manager to provide strategic direction for the design of country program frameworks and plans, including resource mobilization strategies.
• Leading and contributing to high-quality project design that adheres to project management standards and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) methods.
• Coordinating project activity planning to ensure integration and efficiency in implementation.
• Overseeing the business development cycle to ensure the submission of quality proposals that meet agency and donor standards.
• Managing talent and supervising team members, including providing coaching and performance assessments.
• Creating a conducive learning environment that encourages the sharing of ideas and solutions.
• Promoting accountability and knowledge management as part of the MEAL policy implementation.
• Coordinating with operations staff for project budgeting and resource stewardship.
• Identifying and strengthening partnerships and applying appropriate partnership concepts. 1
• Providing technical assistance and capacity strengthening for project teams and partners. 1
• Collaborating with MEAL and Communications staff to produce visibility materials and learning events. 1
• Organizing program reporting and ensuring timely submission of high-quality reports.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Program Manager position should possess the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in international development, international relations, or a relevant field.
• A minimum of 5 years of work experience in program management or business development, with progressive responsibilities in an international NGO setting.
• Strong experience in project grants management, including project design, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting, preferably for projects funded by multiple public donors.
• Proven track record in successful business development activities that capture public and/or private donor funding.
• Excellent English writing skills and the ability to engage and strengthen partnerships.
• Experience in staff management and creating a learning environment.
• Familiarity with MS Office packages and budget management systems.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in international development, international relations, or a related field. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of program management and the international development landscape.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in program management or business development, with a focus on international NGOs. Candidates should demonstrate progressive responsibilities and a solid understanding of project management principles, including grants management and business development activities.

Languages:
Proficiency in both French and English is mandatory, with strong oral and written communication skills in both languages being essential for effective collaboration and reporting.

Additional Notes:
This position is open only to nationals of Burkina Faso. The role may require travel up to 25%. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., salary and benefits will be based on the country of employment. The successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies.