Program Manager I - Nutrition at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary: 

• You will manage and provide technical oversight for the implementation of the Northeast Nigeria nutrition emergency project, advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) mission to serve poor and vulnerable populations. You will ensure that appropriate systems and processes are in place to support high‑quality, standards‑compliant programming. The role requires close collaboration with internal departments, partners, and key stakeholders to strengthen coordination and effective delivery of the nutrition component. Reporting to the Emergency Coordinator, the position will also maintain functional accountability to the Food Assistance Officer, WASH Officer, partner Nutrition Officers, Community Nutrition Mobilizers, and Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) counselors.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Under the supervision of the Emergency Coordinator, provide technical and management leadership for  the project throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Build and manage close relationships with the State and Locality level health departments, Nutrition Cluster Representatives and members, other implementers and local partners to ensure project activities are implemented as an integrated part of the National Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) response and provided as part of a coordinated package of support.  Oversee the development and sustenance of strong referral and support linkages between communities, outreach workers, health and nutrition facilities and health management structures.
• Lead project implementation, ensuring the appropriate targeting and technical quality of project-supported nutrition services, working closely with Government health staff and other implementing agencies to generate and use data, strengthen capacity of front-line workers and facilities, and implement a system of quality assurance. 
• With the Emergency Coordinator, facilitate development and implementation of the project activities’ annual work plans , quarterly and annual reports, and other requests that may come in from the donor.
• Contribute to and support in carrying out the situation analysis for the nutrition sector to ensure timely and current data on maternal and child nutrition are available for the designing, development, and management of nutrition projects.
• With the wider project team and under the supervision of the Emergency Coordinator , ensure the financial, material and human resources for the quality implementation of the project are available at point and time of need. Facilitate timely and appropriate project expenditures, including procurement, in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Effectively manage and supervise the project officers. Manage team dynamics, staff well-being and a safe work environment. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.   
• Identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in the area of Food Security, Health and Nutrition, Environment and Social Safeguarding and implementation of MEAL policy in coordination with the MEAL unit. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
• Undertake regular site visits, review sessions, and technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities to enhance program quality and impact.

Required Languages - Fluent written and spoken English required.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% to project areas 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
• MEAL skills and experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to carry out financial analysis and reviews.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality reports.

Preferred Qualifications

• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including international donors.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Food Assistance Officer, Senior WASH project officer.

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: Head of Office, Emergency Coordinator,  Accountability Officer, procurement, Fleet, Finance Officers, Enumerators, Protection Officer

External: Partner staff, Contractors, Volunteers, CNMs, lead mothers, Promoters, Care group Volunteers, and Vendors

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Nutrition, public health, international development, International Relations or related fields required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 6-8 years of proven experience in relevant field-based nutrition project management in Nigeria required
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO in Nigeria.
• Staff management experience of at least two years and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience in managing relations with multiple stakeholders would be a plus. 

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions. 
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.