Project 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, providing assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various areas including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency's processes and policies reflect this commitment, ensuring that all staff adhere to a Code of Conduct that prioritizes the rights and dignity of all people.

Job Overview:
The Project Manager will be responsible for managing, coordinating, and overseeing the implementation and closure of the Tudituale project, a resilience initiative funded by USAID/BHA. This role will involve working within the health zones of Yangala, Maswika, and Lubondayie in the Central Kasaï Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Project Manager will engage with partners and stakeholders to achieve project objectives, leveraging their project management skills and knowledge in resilience, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and nutrition to ensure high-quality programming and continuous improvement of project impact. The position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and effective management of resources, including human, material, and financial assets, throughout the project lifecycle.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Manager will lead the planning and coordination of technical activities, resource management, monitoring, and reporting within the three health zones during the project cycle, which includes initiation, implementation, and closure. Responsibilities include managing team dynamics and staff well-being, providing effective coaching, adapting individual development plans, contributing to capacity-building processes, and overseeing performance management for direct reports. The Project Manager will ensure that learning is integrated into project activities, support accountability through project evaluations, proactively identify issues, and engage with local partners and stakeholders. They will represent the organization to donors, NGOs, UN agencies, and local authorities, ensuring that necessary resources are available for quality project implementation. Additionally, the Project Manager will conduct periodic assessments of resource needs and collaborate with partners to ensure timely financial reporting and resource utilization. They will also assist in preparing trend analysis reports and ensure that project documentation is complete and compliant with donor requirements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, with the ability to make informed judgments. Excellent relationship management skills are essential, along with the capacity to work effectively with local stakeholders. The ability to contribute to written reports is also required. Candidates should be proactive, results-oriented, and detail-focused, demonstrating accuracy and efficiency in executing assigned responsibilities. Preferred qualifications include relevant experience in grant management, particularly with USG or other public donors, supervisory experience, and the ability to work with stakeholders at various levels to strengthen community partnerships. Experience in technical proposal development and data analysis for evaluation reporting is a plus, as is proficiency in MS Windows and MS Office applications.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree is required, with a master's degree in international relations, development, food security, or social sciences considered an asset. Candidates should have a minimum of five years of professional experience in project management, ideally within the development sector, food security, or social sciences, particularly in an NGO context. Additional experience may substitute for some educational requirements.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in project management, particularly in the fields of development, food security, or social sciences. Experience in managing projects for NGOs and working with diverse stakeholders is highly valued. Candidates should demonstrate a track record of successful project implementation and management.

Languages:
Fluency in French (both written and spoken) is mandatory, along with proficiency in local languages of the Central Kasaï region. Knowledge of English is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position involves significant travel, with a requirement to be willing and able to travel up to 85% of the time. The Project Manager will supervise three Zone Coordinators and will work closely with internal teams, including project implementation, operations, and program leadership. Externally, the role involves collaboration with local partners, state partners, local authorities, and other implementing agencies at the territorial level. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and commitment to safeguarding program participants and community members.