Nutrition Emergency 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 serve the poor and vulnerable populations, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization is dedicated to improving the lives of those in need through various programs, 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 candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its values and mission.

Job Overview:
The Nutrition Emergency Project Manager will be responsible for managing and providing technical oversight for the implementation of the Northeast Nigeria nutrition emergency project. This role is crucial in advancing CRS's mission to serve poor and vulnerable populations. The manager will ensure that appropriate systems and processes are in place to support high-quality, standards-compliant programming. The position requires close collaboration with internal departments, partners, and key stakeholders to strengthen coordination and effective delivery of the nutrition component. Reporting to the Emergency Coordinator, the manager will maintain functional accountability to various officers and counselors involved in the project, ensuring that all aspects of the project cycle are executed in alignment with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Nutrition Emergency Project Manager will provide technical and management leadership throughout the project cycle, ensuring that project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out are in line with established standards. The manager will build and manage relationships with local health departments, Nutrition Cluster Representatives, and other stakeholders to ensure integrated project activities. Responsibilities include overseeing the development of strong referral and support linkages between communities and health facilities, leading project implementation with a focus on targeting and technical quality, and facilitating the development of annual work plans and reports. The manager will also conduct situation analyses for the nutrition sector, ensure resource availability for project implementation, manage project expenditures, supervise project officers, and identify opportunities for learning and research in related fields. Regular site visits and technical assistance activities will be undertaken to enhance program quality and impact.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Nutrition, public health, international development, International Relations, or related fields. Additional experience may substitute for some educational requirements. A minimum of 6-8 years of proven experience in relevant field-based nutrition project management in Nigeria is required, along with staff management experience of at least two years. Experience in managing relations with multiple stakeholders is preferred, as well as good experience in project grants management and familiarity with MS Office applications and information management systems.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Master’s degree in Nutrition, public health, international development, International Relations, or related fields. Candidates with additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education. The educational background should provide a strong foundation for understanding the complexities of nutrition and health programming in emergency contexts.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 6-8 years of relevant experience in field-based nutrition project management, particularly within Nigeria. Experience managing moderately complex projects, preferably with an international NGO, is essential. Candidates should also have at least two years of staff management experience, demonstrating the ability to foster a learning environment and manage relationships with various stakeholders effectively.

Languages:
Fluent written and spoken English is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if relevant to the local context of the project areas.

Additional Notes:
The position may require travel up to 50% to project areas. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The organization emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture and is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and participate in safeguarding initiatives.