Deputy Head of Programming

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Position Title: Deputy Head of Programming
Location: Abuja
Country: Nigeria
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development services without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding, aiming to save, protect, and transform lives in need.

Job Overview:
The Deputy Head of Programming will play a crucial role in providing strategic direction and management for the Country Program (CP). This position complements the efforts of the Deputy Country Representative (DCR) to ensure the establishment and successful implementation of high-quality programs that serve the poor and vulnerable. The individual will leverage their management and programming skills to ensure that the CP delivers impactful programming and continuously seeks to improve its effectiveness. The role involves working collaboratively with a team of professionals to integrate monitoring, evaluation, accountability & learning (MEAL), marketing & communications (Marcomm), and business development (BD) into the programming strategy. The Deputy Head will also supervise team leads in health projects and document lessons learned to inform future localization efforts, ensuring that the CP aligns with regional and agency strategic priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary responsibilities include working with a team to implement the 'Magic Triangle' concept, which integrates MEAL, Marcomm, and BD. The Deputy Head will supervise team leads in three health projects, ensuring effective project design and management standards are met. Responsibilities also include coordinating project planning, managing team dynamics, providing coaching and performance assessments, and promoting a culture of learning and accountability. The role requires collaboration with CP operations staff for budgeting and resource management, identifying and strengthening partnerships, and contributing to business development efforts. The Deputy Head will also coordinate technical assistance and capacity strengthening for project teams and partners, including identifying training opportunities and developing curricula.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to see the big picture and make sound judgments. Excellent relationship management abilities are essential, along with team leadership skills and the capacity to facilitate presentations. The individual should be proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented, with a strong commitment to accountability and learning.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in international development, International Relations, or a relevant field is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of program management in an international NGO context.

Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of work experience in a program management position with progressive responsibilities in an international NGO is required. Candidates should have good experience in project grants management, including design, budget preparation, and monitoring and evaluation. Experience with successful business development activities and capturing donor funding is also necessary.

Languages:
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English are mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position involves supervisory responsibilities over MEAL and Marcomm positions, as well as a limited number of project manager positions. The role may require travel up to 30% of the time. The organization emphasizes safeguarding and expects all staff to adhere to safeguarding policies and procedures. CRS is committed to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and candidates are expected to share this commitment. The position is open to candidates from the countries and regions where CRS operates, and the anticipated duration of the assignment will be informed by the job type and agency needs.