Markets Program Manager I at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Req Number: I4223
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Band: D
Position Type: Short Term Position: 2-3 Month Duration
FSLA: Exempt
Department: Nigeria CP
Reports to: Markets Program Manager II

Background

• In its ninth year, the crisis in Northeast (NE) Nigeria shows no sign of abating. The economic system of the NE region has been severely disrupted, with serious impact on agricultural and income generating activities resulting in reduced purchasing power at the household (HH) level and market demand. Years of violent conflict have displaced 1.7 million people in the three most affected states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.[1] CRS began implementing markets-based food assistance humanitarian programming in Yobe State in 2015, with expansion into Borno State in 2016.
• Through a multi-sectorial, holistic approach, CRS also supports conflict-affected households with WASH, shelter, agriculture, nutrition, social cohesion, and early recovery programming. Markets-based modalities are integrated across CRS programs using CRS' online Cash and Asset Transfer (CAT) system, allowing beneficiaries to purchase items from local vendors using e-voucher cards.
• Food for Peace and ECHO-funded food assistance programs reach over 80,000 individuals, while other programs use e-vouchers to distribute of NFI, agricultural inputs, and other items.

Specific Responsibilities
Program Quality and Management:

• Under direct supervision of the FFP/ECHO Project Manager, lead the planning and implementation of project activities and set high quality performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices and donor guidelines
• Under direct supervision of the FFP/ECHO PM, lead design and implementation of improved financial control systems and accountability practices across CRS markets-based programming
• Support the CRS Markets team to implement best practices in community accountability and management; feedback response mechanisms; gender, conflict sensitivity, and protection mainstreaming; adaptations to local contexts, and other participatory practices throughout project design and implementation, and that diverse, vulnerable people's feedback is frequently solicited and incorporated
• Provide technical support to program teams on the use of CAT technology including training, set up, troubleshooting, innovation, asset management, documentation of Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs)
• Together with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) team lead market assessments, needs assessments, and price monitoring as well as regular data analysis to improve program quality
• Together with the FFP/ECHO PM , ensure the selection of program beneficiaries based on approved criteria and strategies, and that beneficiaries are consulted and their views taken into account at all stages of program implementation
• Together with the MEAL team, ensure the development and implementation of strong monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning systems using appropriate CRS tools and resources
• Assist with the development of new markets-based projects and programs, particularly within the sectors of food assistance, nutrition, WASH, shelter, agriculture, and livelihoods recovery

Partnership and Capacity Building:

• Involve partners at all stages of the project cycle for their insights on the appropriateness of program approaches and interventions as well as their perspectives of the operating environment and cultural sensitivity
• Accompany and strengthen capacity of local partners through learning-by-doing, recognizing the respective strengths and contributions of each partner and CRS in successfully implementing programs
• Lead training of CRS and partner staff in all relevant aspects of markets-based programming, including use of ICT4D, CAT platform, data analysis, internal controls, accountability and feedback systems, and community-based implementation best practices

Programmatic Reporting:

• Under direct supervision of the FFP/ECHO PM, ensure timely and quality preparation of donor project narrative reports, monthly indicator tracking tables, baseline and final evaluation reports, as well as other reports needed/required by the local government, donors, the region or headquarters.
• Prepare short success stories and communications briefs on innovation/best practices
• Advise senior management about issues affecting project implementation, or key local issues affecting future grants/projects developments.

Budgeting, Financial Planning and Reporting:

• Under direct supervision of the FFP/ECHO PM, ensure grant management compliance with donor regulations
• Under direct supervision of the Markets PM II, review and analyze budget comparison reports and take necessary steps to ensure proper management and utilization of grant/project budgets

Coordination and Communication:

• Represent CRS at appropriate Cluster or Sector coordination meetings
• Liaise with key non-government organizations (NGOs) and national, state, and local government actors as necessary
• Support the research, documentation and sharing of lessons learned/best practices for CRS emergency interventions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise and mentor Markets Team Program Officers and Program Assistants in adherence to the CRS Performance Management System, as appropriate
• Support Markets Team Program Officers and Program Assistants to design, plan, and implement performance management of community-based teams of CRS and partner staff
• Prepare performance plans and performance appraisals for project staff, as appropriate

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results:

• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

CRS Emergency Competencies:
Each CRS staff member working in emergencies is expected to have the following competencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results:

• Communicates strategically under pressure
• Manages stress and complexity
• Actively promotes safety and security
• Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs

CRS Program Manager Competencies:
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each program manager to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results:

• Sets clear goals and manages toward them.
• Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders.
• Manages financial resources with integrity.
• Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Manage a team of program officers and assistants, as appropriate.

Key Relationships

• Internal: Deputy Country Representative, Head of Operations, Emergency Coordinator, sectoral Program Managers, Yobe Head of Office, MEAL team and other CRS programming and operational staff in Nigeria, regional staff, and technical advisors including CRS Humanitarian Response Department.
• External: Appropriate Sector leads, UN OCHA, state and local government offices, local and international NGOs, UN agencies, CRS partners, donors, community members and beneficiaries

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in international development or related field, or equivalent work experience
• Minimum 3 years of experience working within international development or humanitarian aid, including direct experience in fast paced emergency environments
• Experience managing project implementation and community-based field teams, with experience in and technical knowledge of cash and markets-based humanitarian programming and CaLP standards strongly preferred
• Experience conducting market and needs assessments, beneficiary registration, in-kind distributions, social mobilization, and monitoring and evaluation in emergency situations preferred
• Excellent computer skills including complex data management and analysis with Excel, with experience using cash and asset transfer systems (RedRose, Segovia) and other database software preferred
• Ability to work independently and flexibly to respond to needs as they arise, but also to coordinate effectively as part of a team
• Ability to lead a multi-cultural team with a high level of respect for local culture
• Strong analytical, organizational, management, and leadership skills.
• Experience with capacity strengthening and partnership building
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English, with Hausa or Kanuri a plus
• Experience in working with grants funded by USAID and UN Agencies preferred
• Ability and willingness to work and live in diverse, challenging and potentially insecure environments, adhering to strict security protocols

Required Foreign Language:

• Fluent English. Hausa or Kanuri a plus.

Required Travel:

•  Travel within Nigeria, frequent vehicle travel to project sites

Work Environment:

• This position is based in Maiduguri, Borno State, with frequent travel to Damaturu, Yobe State
• CRS will provide accommodation in a guest house or approved hotel