Director - Resilience Programs (STAR) at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Reference Code: DRRP3920
Location: Yola Based (50%), Yobe, Borno and Abuja Travel (50%)   
Department: Programs    
Band: 11   
Reports To:  Deputy Country Representative, NE  

Job Summary

• The objective of this role is to support CRS Nigeria bridge the Humanitarian-Development Nexus and transition CRS programming in the Northeast towards recovery and development while still retaining the capacity to respond to existing emergency needs.
• The Director of  Resilience Programs (DRP) will work with the Northeast Emergency Team and heads of resilience programs to ensure immediate emergency and long-term development approaches are blended together to meet prioritized community needs.  
• The DRP will also ensure the close coordination of all resilience projects so that they complement one another and work towards common strategic objectives, share operational resources, and meet at least quarterly to ensure common goals.  
• S/he will lead the design and implementation of early recovery- and resilience-focused activities for CRS Nigeria. The incumbent will provide technical leadership to the Country Program in areas of early recovery and resilience and serve as the main link between emergency response and development programs.  
• The DRP will ensure adherence to CRS’ technical quality standards in program design and implementation and will lead representation of CRS Nigeria in key technical working groups, partner forums and to the government.
• S / he will interact closely with both local and international NGOs involved in early recovery and transition to development, coordinate support from CRS Technical Advisers, and supervise the work of staff implementing resilience programs. Working closely with the business development team, s/he will contribute to concept notes, proposals, intelligence gathering and partnership development and management.  

Job Responsibilities
The DRP will lead CRS Nigeria’s early recovery and resilience work by serving as the main link between emergency response and development programs and developing and managing recovery-focused programs.

This work will include:   

• Relocation/Early Recovery Strategy Development
• Business Development
• Representation
• Surge capacity  
• Knowledge management and institutional development
• Oversee capacity building for CRS and partner staff working in early recovery and resilience programming

Specific Responsibilities
Program Strategy:

• Works closely with the NE Programmatic, Management and Security teams to revise and maintain a comprehensive and nimble NE Response Strategy focused on the analysis of needs, vulnerabilities, risks, and opportunities in determining appropriate sectors (Agriculture/Livelihoods, WASH, Shelter, Education, Health, Peacebuilding, DRR, etc.) and geographic locations for intervention.
• Work with the business development department and CP leadership to develop a comprehensive resource mobilization plan for the NE Response Strategy that optimizes the impact of programming interventions and is in line with greater CP, regional and agency strategic priorities.

Program Management and Quality:

• Lead high-quality project design incorporating project management standards and MEAL methods, appropriate to scope, context and technical requirements of the projects.  Work with NE programming colleagues as well as the DCR for Programs and appropriate technical leads in Abuja to ensure cross-learning and inclusion of best practices across sectors in new project design as well as to coordinate activity planning and ensure the integration of program interventions and efficiency in implementation.
• Ensure operating and other standards in the NE align and are integrated into the overall CP standards of operation, ensuring strong and collaborative working relationships with the Abuja operations and program teams.
• Coordinate with CP operation leads to ensure appropriate project budgeting and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Ensure high-quality project implementation utilizing CRS PQ resources such as COMPASS, ensuring CRS maintains a positive reputation vise a vie beneficiaries, local stakeholders and the international community.
• Ensure the timely implementation of all project activities, in collaboration with geographical Heads of Offices and implementing partners.
• Track and manage the budgets for all early recovery projects, conducting timely budget maintenance reviews and working with finance on correcting problems as they arise.
• Develop and maintain strong collaboration with CRS technical experts at national, regional and headquarters level in programmatic areas relevant to Recovery and Resilience, which may include Shelter, Cash & Vouchers, DRR, WASH, Livelihoods and Peace and Justice among other sectors.
• Coordinate with the MEAL department to ensure quality, timely and relevant monitoring and evaluation, ensuring all programs have quality beneficiary feedback mechanisms. Spearhead and mainstream consistent innovation and documentation of lessons learned as well as dissemination of those -- both positive and negative -- to the humanitarian community and donors.
•  Provide support for the operationalization of Information, Communication and Technology for Development (ICT4D)
• Ensure accountability, gender equity, and protection principles are mainstreamed in all steps of the project cycle.
• Where relevant, ensure that all activities strive to attain SPHERE and in-country Clusters' standards.
• Ensure high-quality project reports complaint with donor formats (review reports from PMs; provide feedback for improvement; support PMs to integrate feedback; submit final reports to DCR for review and submission).
• Upload and maintain up-to-date project records on Gateway (proposal and budget, workplans, modifications, key donor correspondence such as approvals, assessments, reports, etc)
• In coordination with the NE DRC and the CR, determine and provide stop-gap staffing solutions to NE programs particularly during the start-up and closure of projects.

Leadership and Quality Supervision:

• Identify and manage talent by providing high quality mentoring and coaching of staff.  For direct reports and their staff, support to strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports as well as ensure they complete performance assessments for their staff.
• Address poor performance promptly and constructively, ensuring fair treatment of staff by identifying, documenting and providing adequate support to address performance and behavioral issues
• Proactively manage team dynamics, fostering a healthy and productive work environment.
• Model and promote staff well-being, including work life balance, and proactively refer concerns to higher level management.   
• Support the identification and recruitment of qualified staff to fill vacancies.

Learning, Knowledge Management and Institutional Development:  

• Liaise with the implementation and MEAL teams to ensure CRS interventions address both the immediate and the longer-term needs of target communities; lessons learnt are harnessed and inform new projects; and, develop CRS Nigeria capacity to deliver both humanitarian and development programs through staff training, sharing of best practices and mentorship.
• Strengthen monitoring efforts across the humanitarian-development nexus and provide consistent review and competent advice to CRS Nigeria SMT to ensure effectiveness, coherence and strategic programmatic linkages between CRS’s emergency and early recovery NE projects.
• Determine, document and disseminate information on the scope, reach and impact of CRS Nigeria’s NE interventions and the approaches used to achieve the impact.
• Coordinate with programming colleagues to organize and facilitate CP learning events to integrate and operationalize learning and inter-sectoral collaboration.
• Stay abreast of new information and trends in IDP and refugee relocation and return and emerging best practices across recovery sectors to inform CRS NE strategy, resource mobilization and decision making.
• Coordinate information sharing of intel from the various external coordination efforts in NE and at Abuja level reaches a wider audience in a timely manner to impact decision making.
• Ensure technical assistance and capacity strengthening for project teams and partners in both humanitarian and development programming; project management standards and related MEAL; business development; and operational activities.  Identify training needs and opportunities among teams and provide or help source appropriate training support.

Business Development:   

• Work closely with the NE Emergency Team, Agriculture/Livelihoods Unit and CRS’ Business Development Unit to preposition, design and deliver context appropriate recovery and resilience projects:  
• Ensure newly proposed programming is in line with the NE Strategy.
• Identify, build relationships and recommend opportunities for joint programming with other actors including local and international NGOs, private sector, government agencies aimed at achieving collective outcomes, avoiding gaps in programming, and minimizing duplication of efforts.
• In collaboration with Emergency, Agriculture/Livelihoods and Business Development teams, identify and determine business development opportunities to pursue and/or programming ideas to cultivate donor interest.
• Actively support development of new projects ensuring blended humanitarian and developmental approaches in the design as appropriate to the context.
• Work closely with BD and Nigeria leadership to develop sound project management plans for new opportunities with appropriate technical, management and operational staffing, optimizing existing resources and efficiencies.  
• Work closely with business development and technical advisers to design staffing plans for upcoming projects
• Produce and maintain up to date Past Performance References and coordinate with BD focal point to ensure funding opportunities pursued are uploaded and records accurately maintained on Gateway.

Partnership:

• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of appropriate partnerships and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.

Representation and Advocacy:  

• Lead and coordinate CRS Nigeria representation with donors, governments (Federal and State), and NGOs forums aimed at consolidating experiences:
• Coordinate CRS Nigeria’s engagement with inter-agency working groups including Humanitarian – Development Nexus forums at the State and Federal levels, relevant clusters and other for a.
• Monitor, keep abreast and communicate new developments in a timely manner from the abovementioned forums with relevant CRS Nigeria departments/staff.
• Liaise with NGOs and other partners to carry out advocacy initiatives to government and donor organizations as relevant to the goals of our work and in coordination with CP leadership/endorsement.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  

• Governance Advisor, Agriculture Team Lead Advisor and eventual Recovery and Resilience PMs and/or Program Directors.
• Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff): These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results:
  • Serves with Integrity
  • Models Stewardship
  • Cultivates Constructive Relationships
  • Promotes Learning  

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: DCR NE, DCR Programs, BD Manager, Agriculture/Livelihoods Lead, Head of Office Yobe, Emergency Coordinator, CR, DCR Ops, Head of Office Adamawa, other program and operation department heads.
• External: INGOs, local NGOs, UN Agencies, government (local, state, and federal), donors, private sector partners

Qualification, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Minimum of Master's degree in a relevant Health, Agriculture, Nutrition or other field.
• At least ten (10) years of working experience in livelihoods, agriculture, nutrition, WASH, food security, resilience or governance program; Experience in a combination of these is preferred.  
• Understanding of U.S Government grant provisions, policies, procedures, guidelines and priorities, including reporting requirements.  
• Demonstrates excellent situational leadership; strategic; analytical; participatory; and supportive and mentoring.  
• Excellent partnership skills and the ability to interact effectively with donors, collaborating agencies, and local partners demonstrated through close work experience with international organizations.
• Experience in management of large projects required.
• Effective negotiation skills in order to mentor program teams to follow quality standard and facilitate learning from each other.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to understand the current best practices and challenges while coordinating the implementation of program strategies through a participatory approach.
• Flexibility, persistence, and ability to work well with people through cross-cultural skills.
•  Demonstrated commitment to improving gender equality and gender responsiveness in programming and operations.
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required.
• Excellent English language oral and written communication skills required.
•  Knowledge of Northern Nigeria is an added advantage.   
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook required.
• Willingness and ability to travel at least 60% of time to the NE.

Interested and qualified candidates should download the "CRS Application Form" using the link below, fill and send with a detailed Resume in a single file (PDF Format) indicating "Position" being applied for and the "Job Ref Code" as the subject of the application to: vacancies.ne.nigeria@crs.org

Click here to Download Application Form (PDF)

Click Here for Job Details (PDF)

Equal Opportunity:

• CRS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, etc. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Safeguarding:

• By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

Statement of Commitment to Protection:

• СТCRSТ recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.