Program Manager II

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, providing relief and development programs that address emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to serving individuals without regard to race, religion, or nationality, and welcomes staff from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, reflecting its commitment to ethical practices in all operations.

Job Overview:
The Program Manager II position is a critical role within the STaR project, responsible for providing management, guidance, and technical oversight throughout the project cycle. This includes ensuring that the project's start-up, implementation, and close-out phases adhere to CRS quality principles, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. As the budget holder, the Program Manager will oversee financial management, ensuring effective use of resources, budgeting, forecasting, tracking expenditures, and financial reporting. The role also involves collaborating with local partners, managing team dynamics, and ensuring the integration of innovations and best practices to enhance program quality and impact. The Program Manager will lead local representation for CRS, ensuring alignment with local Church and government strategies, and will be responsible for the development of program learning and capacity strengthening activities for staff and partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Program Manager II include:

• Providing management and technical oversight of the STaR project throughout its lifecycle.
• Ensuring compliance with CRS quality principles, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Managing the project's financial resources, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Overseeing engineering design reviews and managing submissions for infrastructure projects.
• Collaborating with local sectoral and multi-sectoral program coordination and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security forums.
• Leading local representation for CRS to Church and government authorities in Adamawa.
• Supervising and managing project staff, providing coaching and performance management.
• Identifying opportunities for learning and implementing MEAL policy.
• Ensuring timely project expenditures align with financial plans. 1
• Coordinating with security management teams to ensure adequate security protocols are followed.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Program Manager II position include strong analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to manage relationships effectively, and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Candidates should have experience with participatory methodologies and partnerships, excellent English communication skills, and fluency in Hausa and/or Kanuri as an added advantage. Proven experience in gender analysis and gender-responsive project implementation is also required, along with an understanding of faith-based organizations and capacity-building in local partnerships. Familiarity with KFW grant provisions and policies is preferred.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a graduate degree in the sciences, with post-graduate qualifications in Civil or Structural Engineering accredited by COREN Standards and Regulations. This educational background is essential for understanding the technical aspects of the projects managed.

Experience:
A minimum of 10 years of work experience is required, including at least 3 years in managing and implementing construction or community infrastructure projects for development organizations or NGOs. Experience in recovery and resilience projects, as well as in agriculture, livelihoods, social cohesion, local governance, and peacebuilding, is considered an added advantage.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English. Fluency in Hausa and/or Kanuri is considered advantageous, particularly for engaging with local communities and stakeholders in the northern Nigerian context.

Additional Notes:
The position requires a willingness to travel 50% of the time to field locations in Adamawa or other BAY states as needed. The role involves supervisory responsibilities over various officers, including the Infrastructure Program Manager, Governance Officer, and others. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, while benefits for candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment. The organization is committed to safeguarding program participants and ensuring ethical practices in all operations. Candidates must meet legal work eligibility requirements and may need to undergo medical clearance for employment.