Program Manager II-Water Resource Development- I 09 074 - Posting No. 1570
Date Posted
July 10, 2009
Employer
Catholic Relief Services
Location
S.Asia/Afghanistan, Ghor Province
Job Description
Job Title: Program Manager II - Water Resource Development - I 09 074
Dept/Location: S. Asia/Afghanistan - Ghor Province
Background:
Catholic Relief Services Afghanistan implements development projects in rural communities of western and central Afghanistan to strengthen resilience to drought and improve rural livelihoods. Over the past three years, CRS has carried out a number of water supply and irrigation projects and initiated several pilot projects to promote community-based watershed restoration. In 2007, CRS developed a program strategy for integrated water resources program including: (a) Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene, (b) Irrigation and agriculture development, (c) and Watershed Restoration. The ultimate goal of the water strategy is to enable rural people in Afghanistan to move out of poverty. CRS was recently awarded a three-year grant from USAID for an integrated water resource development program in Ghor Province in central Afghanistan. This program builds on a current USAID-funded program for community-based watershed restoration. This approach builds on lessons from CRS programs in other countries, from the International Water Management Institute, and from the International Center for Mountain Development.
Primary Function:
The Program Manager is responsible for leading a large group of national staff and partners in the implementation of this program. The CRS team in Ghor is comprised of a skilled group of engineers, agronomists, and community organizers that have and continue to receive formal and hands-on training. The PM will be supported by an international water engineer and the CRS Technical Advisor for Agriculture and Environment. S/he will be responsible for program quality with an emphasis on building the capacity of local staff, NGO partners, and government counterparts. The PM also needs to have extensive program management experience, be able to work in a complex working environment. The role requires a solid background in water and sanitation development, plus a combination of capacities in community development and natural resource management.
The PM for Water Resource Development will oversee all aspects of the implementation of the Village Based Watershed Restoration Program, including project and budget management, staff supervision, donor relations, monitoring & evaluation, recruitment, retention, and capacity building of staff, and coordination/collaboration with other CRS departments, in Ghor and across the CP, with a particular emphasis on staff safety and security.
Specific Responsibilities:
Program Implementation
1. Oversee all aspects of program management for the village based watershed restoration program
2. Hold regular program planning and coordination meetings with team leaders and other senior staff which include but are not limited to yearly and quarterly DIP planning, cash forecasting, and procurement oversight for all project materials.
3. Manage specific budgets and projects, and provide accurate and timely financial and narrative reports to donors and related government partners.
4. Ensure that operation and maintenance, environmental, and sustainability issues are factored into program design.
Capacity Building
1. Manage, train, and mentor staff and NGO partners to build individual and organizational capacity in the areas of integrated water resource development.
2. Manage team leaders with an emphasis on building the supervisory skills of senior national staff.
3. Identify, recruit, and supervise short to medium-term consultants and/or TDYs for the provision of technical inputs or other expertise not already available within the CRS country program.
Coordination/Collaboration
1. Ensure external consultants full integration and coordination with CRS teams and management structures.
2. Liaise with local government staff to build local technical and planning capacity for water development
3. Work closely with NGO partner(s) for planning, implementation, and monitoring, with an emphasis on building partner technical and management capacity
4. Participate in water sector coordination meetings in Kabul, as appropriate
Monitoring & Evaluation
1. Develop and carry out a results-oriented internal monitoring and evaluation system to ensure high quality programming. Coordinate regular monitoring and evaluation and supervise the MIS and M&E staff and tasks.
2. Lead regular evaluation and analysis sessions among team leaders and make appropriate strategic changes based on lessons learned from this process.
3. Ensure that programming is consistent with donor requirements, CRS program quality standards, and relevant international standards.
4. Contribute to program growth through proposal development and meetings with donors
Representation
1. Assist in representation of the programs to donor, government officials, partners, UN agencies and NGOs.
2. Maintain and/or develop productive relationships and communication with key stakeholders in relevant government ministries, donor agencies and communities
3. Other activities which may be required relevant to the identification, design, and implementation of water projects under this program.
Supervisory Responsibilities: MIS & M&E staff (Total 15 national staff)
Key Working Relationships:
INTERNAL: Country Representative; Ghor Provincial Representative; Head of Programming, Technical Advisor for Agriculture, Consultant for soil and water conservation, MQ Coordinator and Program Managers
EXTERNAL: Local government ministries, donor staff, community shuras, local/international NGO offices and UN agencies.
Personal Skills:
1. Exceptional communication skills and proven ability to lead a dynamic and diverse group of people
2. Strong teamwork, coordination and strategic planning skills.
3. Ability to respond practically, positively and operate successfully in difficult field conditions. Willingness to travel to and work in remote areas for extended periods
4. Willingness to live in shared housing with a diverse group of international staff
5. Ability to be flexible, persistent and diplomatic and to gain respect among staff, local community leaders as well as local government ministries and donor organizations.
Job Qualifications
Qualifications:
1. Undergraduate degree in engineering required, MA/MSc in water and sanitation, community-based natural resource management, irrigation, or other relevant fields required or work equivalency.
2. Minimum of five years experience in program management in developing countries
3. Professional experience and academic training in the area of water and sanitation, community-based natural resource management, irrigation, or other relevant fields
4. Strong project management experience: supervision, budget management, program planning, monitoring and evaluation
5. Ability to represent the Agency in high level meetings with donors, local Church and local government.
6. Proven ability to be an effective supervisor of staff of varying levels of responsibility
7. Demonstrated ability to provide leadership in strategic planning initiatives
8. Strong verbal and writing skills in English
9. Knowledge of Dari/Farsi, a plus
10. Professional proficiency in French, Spanish or Portuguese
EOE/M/F/D/V
To apply for this position please visit the Catholic Relief Services website at www.crs.org/about/careers.
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