Chief of Party II, STaR at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary

The Chief of Party (CoP) will have overall responsibility for the 'Stabilization and Reconciliation in the Lake Chad Region (STaR) Project' in all four countries (across two Regions), ensuring strategic leadership and effective management oversight to achieve project objectives on time and within budget. The CoP will act as the primary relationship manager for the project with KfW, the Lake Chad Basin Commission, and other key external stakeholders.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

Strategic guidance and leadership of STaR project

• In collaboration with the STaR Steering Committee, comprised of the three Country Representatives (Niger, Cameroon-Chad, and Nigeria), and the Country Manager/Chad; CARO/WARO regional leadership; and key country program stakeholders, provide strategic leadership to ensure on-time delivery of all deliverables and achievement of project objectives/targets.
• In collaboration the STaR Program Managers (Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad), the STaR MEAL Manager, the Infrastructure Specialist, and the STaR Award Management Officer, oversee the development and iterative revision of STaR's project management systems/tools (technical documentation, work plans, Detailed Implementation Plans, Indicator Performance Tracking Tables, expenditure plans, procurement plans, etc.) to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the STaR project.
• In collaboration with the STaR Program Managers and the MEAL Manager, be accountable and responsible for the timely implementation and delivery of the STaR project, providing quality assurance in conformity with CRS technical approaches, MEAL policies, and procedures, and project management standards.
• In collaboration with the STaR Award Management Officer and the STaR Program Managers, ensure effective budget management and contract compliance such that the project achieves planned expenditure rates and performance metrics over the life of the award.
• Promote, uphold, and model a commitment to efficiently using Agency and donor resources. Ensure compliance with KfW financial and procurement policies through effective oversight of country program and partner expenditures, procurement, and administration. Ensure timeliness and accuracy of cash disbursement requests, financial reports, and budget modifications to KfW.
• Coordinate with key country program and regional stakeholders to promote timely analysis of project risks (security, financial, procurement, protection/safeguarding, etc.) and implement proactive risk mitigation measures to address them.
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze, and respond quickly to deficiencies.
• Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high-quality training and technical assistance.

Coordination and representation

• Serve as the focal point facilitating both internal CRS Steering Committee and Project Steering Committee (a project management-level group, including the Lake Chad Basin Commission and KfW as observer) meetings to review project progress across the four countries; identify issues/gaps; and take strategic decisions to improve implementation.
• Coordinate with country program leadership to represent the STaR project to KfW, the Lake Chad Basin Commission, and relevant German Cooperation (e.g., German Embassy, GIZ, etc.) stakeholders in STaR countries.
• Collaborate with STaR Program Managers to ensure STaR is implemented in coordination with other relevant CRS projects to ensure integration, layering, and complementarity.
• Participate in relevant working groups and forums, as needed, which may include representation related to the overall Lake Chad Basin region.

Staff Management And Other Responsibilities

• Oversee the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of senior staff. Coordinate with STaR PMs and country program leadership to promptly fill staff vacancies.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to four STaR PMs, the Award Management Officer, Infrastructure Specialist, Supply Chain Manager/Nigeria, and MEAL Manager. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports.
• Routinely review staffing structures for each location to improve performance, accountability, and delivery

Basic Qualifications

• Master's degree in international development, management, agriculture, economics, or another relevant field.
• At least 10 years of international project management experience on projects of similar size/nature (multi-country, multi-year; multi-sectoral - livelihoods, agricultural development, resilience, market-based approaches to economic development, gender, conflict, and social cohesion).
• Experience managing infrastructure rehabilitation and/or construction programming and complex procurement/supply chain processes, a plus.
• 5 years of staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience with in-person and remote coaching and management of senior program staff.
• Experience in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly living and working in hardship areas for at least 2 years, is mandatory. Prior experience in Niger, Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon is desirable.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of MS Office applications, Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
• Proven leadership and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams.
• Proven experience in building and maintaining institutional linkages.
• Ability to work to meet deadlines in multiple-tasking environments.
• Excellent organization, planning, and analytical skills; detail-oriented.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated strength in relationship management.
• Commitment to gender-sensitive programming and management.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
 

• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to see the big picture and the ability to make sound judgments and decisions.
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels, internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in International Development, Management, Agriculture, Economics, or another relevant field is a plus.
• Recognized leader in the sector as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and other venues.
• Demonstrated experience of successful program management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects with complicated logistics.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy is a plus.
• Experience with major donors' (USAID, Government of Germany, DFID, EU, etc.) rules, regulations, and requirements. Specific experience with managing contract mechanisms and/or KfW rules and regulations is a plus.
• Ability to represent and present at high levels.