Job Title: Program Manager II
Taking over from the Chef de Partie, STaR
Department: Program
Salary scale: 10
Location : Bol, Chad
Offer number 32025037
This position is open only to candidates of Chadian nationality
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS’s relief and development work is accomplished through programs in emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.
Professional background :
CRS is a global leader in agricultural livelihoods programs, promoting resilience building in poor, disaster-affected, and climate-change-affected areas worldwide. For more than 14 years, the Lake Chad Basin Crisis—affecting the riparian areas of Lake Chad in Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon—has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, torn apart communities and families, limited livelihood opportunities, destroyed infrastructure, and dismantled the capacity of local governments to meet the needs of their citizens. To address the urgent resilience and recovery needs of those affected by the LCB crisis, CRS launched the Stabilization and Reconciliation in the Lake Chad Region (STaR) Project, a 7.5-year (2019–2026), €32.5 million program generously funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW (German Development Cooperation).
During Phase III, STaR will target approximately 9,700 households in the three target countries of Chad, Nigeria, and Niger, with the following expected outcomes: 1) Women and men of all social identities (age, ethnicity, marital status, or physical ability) have more equitable access to improved productive and social infrastructure; 2) Women and men of all social identities have more equitable access to and control over livelihood opportunities, and households have a more shared role in decision-making and care; 3) Women and men of all social identities equitably lead efforts to increase social cohesion and peacebuilding; and 4) local governments and community authorities put in place measures to significantly increase women’s representation, participation, and leadership in government at relevant levels.
The STaR project will contribute to the rehabilitation and restoration of basic infrastructure and livelihoods and will strengthen the capacity of communities and local governments to manage their resources sustainably, strengthen their social cohesion and build more resilient households and communities.
In Chad, Phase III of the STaR project is being implemented in Lac Province and managed from the STaR project office in Bol, with support from N’Djamena. The donor is actively considering a concept note that would serve as a multi-year extension of the project beyond the current end date of December 31, 2026.
Job Summary:
You will technically manage and oversee the development and implementation of the Stabilization and Reconciliation in the Lake Chad Region (STaR) project in Chad, ensuring effective systems and processes are in place to support high-quality programs that advance the work of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that POP delivers high-quality programs and continually strives to improve the impact of the STaR project.
Key roles and responsibilities:
- Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of the STaR project’s resilience and recovery activities. These activities focus on interventions in community infrastructure, agriculture and rural livelihoods, social cohesion, and local governance, all aimed at contributing to stabilization and reconciliation in the most affected regions of the Lake Chad Basin. Depending on the candidate, this role may involve conducting technical design reviews, and the incumbent will be responsible for managing the submission of bids for all infrastructure projects. In addition, this involves overseeing the development and implementation of environmental, social, health, and safety documentation in accordance with the project’s Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF). A critical gender equality component will be integrated into all elements of the project, which the PM II will lead and manage.
- Throughout the project cycle, ensure that the design, start-up, implementation, and closure phases comply with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. Additionally, prioritize the robust integration of various project components, such as infrastructure, economic revitalization, social cohesion, and local governance capacity building, to achieve project objectives.
- Effectively manage and supervise talent involved in the STaR project. Foster positive team dynamics and prioritize staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and perform performance management for your direct reports.
- Lead the development of program learning by identifying research, learning, and publication opportunities in recovery and resilience programs. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned in support of the Agency’s knowledge management program. Ensure the integration of innovations and best practices.
- Actively seek new funding opportunities to expand the CP’s Emergency and Early Recovery Sector portfolio, in line with the Agency’s regional and strategic CP priorities. Act as a technical lead and writer to ensure the production of high-quality proposals.
- Oversee technical assistance and capacity building activities in emergency, recovery and resilience programs for staff and partner organizations to improve program quality and impact.
- Manage the identification, assessment, and strengthening of partnerships relevant to emergency response, recovery, and resilience. Apply appropriate concepts, tools, and approaches to enhance these partnerships.
- Ensure project expenditures are timely and in accordance with financial plans, promoting the efficient use and stewardship of project resources.
- Monitor staff compliance with security protocols by ensuring project staff are aware of and comply with CRS staff safety and security policies and procedures. Distribute Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety and security plans as required.
- Promote CRS’s active participation and, where appropriate, leadership in local sectoral or multi-sector coordination and security forums. Regularly share information and data with senior management and other agencies to support collective analysis and planning.
Basic qualifications
- A master’s degree in international development, international relations, civil or structural engineering, or a related field is required. Additional experience may be considered in lieu of certain educational requirements. Preference will be given to candidates with an engineering degree with a professional engineering license.
- A minimum of 5 years of experience implementing emergency, recovery, and/or resilience programs, preferably in emergency situations, is required. Experience in community infrastructure construction or rehabilitation programs is an asset.
- Previous experience in agriculture, development or food security programs is an advantage, particularly in at least one of the following areas: agriculture, health, livelihoods, nutrition or governance/peacebuilding.
- Additionally, experience managing moderately complex projects, preferably with an international NGO in volatile security environments, is preferred.
Required Languages — Excellent oral and written French is required. We strongly prefer candidates with strong written communication skills. Other local languages spoken in the Lake Province are an asset. Some knowledge of English is appreciated.
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 30%.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make informed judgments and decisions and propose innovative solutions.
- Strong relationship management skills. Ability to build relationships with people at all levels, internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
- Good presentation and facilitation skills
- Proactive, resourceful, solution and results oriented
Desired qualifications
- Good experience in grant and project contract management, including project design and gender equality programming, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including KfW.
- Experience in managing complex local procurement processes.
- Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals and reports.
- Experience engaging with partner organizations, particularly local faith-based organizations.
- MEAL skills and experience required.
- Experience and skills in personnel management conducive to a learning environment.
- Experience in using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), web conferencing applications, information management systems.
- Knowledge of Sphere standards.
- Proven ability and experience in knowledge transfer through formal and informal training.
- Experience in managing personnel, budgets and planning processes.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills.
- Team spirit and strong interpersonal skills.
- Flexibility and motivation.
Agency REDI Skills (for all CRS staff):
The organization’s competencies describe the behaviors and attitudes expected of all staff members. When these competencies are demonstrated, they foster an engaging work environment, help staff reach their full potential, and assist CRS in achieving its organizational goals. Rooted in CRS’s mission, values, and guiding principles, these competencies are used by each staff member to effectively fulfill their responsibilities and achieve desired results.
- Personal Responsibility – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
- Act with Integrity – Consistently model values aligned with CRS’s Guiding Principles and Mission. Is seen as honest.
- Establishes and maintains trust – Demonstrates consistency between words and actions.
- Collaborating with others – Working effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
- Open to learning – Seeks experiences that can change perspective or provide opportunities to learn new things.
Agency Leadership Skills:
- Leading Change – Continually seeks ways to improve the organization through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
- Developing and Recognizing Others – Strengthening the ability of staff to reach their full potential and improve team and organizational performance.
- Strategic Thinking – Includes the role in translating, communicating and implementing the agency’s strategy and team priorities.
Supervisory responsibilities: 3 program managers (infrastructure, economic revitalization, social cohesion/governance), 1 senior project officer (gender equality and social inclusion) and 1 MEAL officer.
Main working relationships:
Internal: STaR Project Manager, Chad Country Manager, Cameroon & Chad Country Representative, Cameroon & Chad Programming Manager, CRS Cameroon Operations Manager, Chad Operations Manager and Chad Financial Manager.
External: Local implementing partner, donor officials, Lake Chad Basin Commission, Chad government ministries and other stakeholders.
Disclaimer: This job description does not exhaustively list the skills, efforts, duties and responsibilities associated with the position.
Our Catholic identity is central to our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services implements the commitment of the U.S. bishops to assist the poor and vulnerable abroad. We welcome into our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need. CRS processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
By applying for this position, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all individuals with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Furthermore, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a thorough background check and that my personal/professional references will be used to assess my behaviors related to the above-mentioned safeguarding topics.
Talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS is an equal opportunity employer
NB: Please note that only successful candidates will be contacted.
How to apply
You can send your application including a CV and a cover letter with three names of professional references to the following address: hr.crschad@crs.org , mentioning only “32025037” in the subject line of the email.
