Deputy Chief of Party - SMILE Project at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Context:
Sustainable Mechanisms for Improving Livelihoods and Household Empowerment (SMILE) is a five-yea project funded by the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the United States Agency fo International Development (USAID). CRS leads the SMILE consortium consisting of ActionAid Nigeria an Westat. The project is designed to scale-up care and support services for orphans and vulnerable childre in FCT, Benue, Kogi, Edo, and Nasarawa by strengthening the capacity of government, civil societ organizations (CSOs) and communities Now in her fourth year, SMILE is closely collaborating with various national and state level stakeholders i the respective targeted states and LGA’s with the objective of strengthening coordination and referra mechanisms for HIV and Livelihood services for OVC and their caregivers.

Job Summary:
The DCoP will assist the CoP to foster partnerships with key stakeholders, particularly those supporte by USAID and with relevant GoN line ministries. The role aims to provide technical and progra management leadership to ensure SMILE program strategies are implemented in line with the dono requirements.

Specific Job Responsibilities:
Program Quality:

• Under the guidance of the COP, ensure high levels of program quality and work in close
• collaboration with other key SMILE staff for effective program integration and implementation.
• Ensure adherence to all relevant USAID guidelines and program quality standards for HIV an OVC programming for the SMILE consortia and sub-recipients.
• Under the guidance of the CoP, oversee periodic programmatic and technical reviews an manage changes in program direction and focus.
• In collaboration with the Technical Program Director, provide programmatic guidance an technical oversight to partners and other collaborating agencies to ensure that lessons of sound practice are documented and disseminated.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to SMILE sub-recipients and partners to facilitate institutional capacity assessment to identify major challenges and develop effective capacity building plan.
• Management and Administration:
• Guide the annual planning and budgeting exercise and track expenditure as well as analyze performance periodically, share analysis with the CoP.
• Review annual and quarterly partner budgets and forward to CoP with recommendations.
• Along with the CoP, periodically review progress, integration with other USG funded partners and achievements of SMILE program to identify bottlenecks and recommend appropriate actions to ensure the program meets her target.
• Support the sub-granting process and ensure that sub-granting is carried out in compliance with USAID and CRS guidelines.
• Representation:
• In collaboration with the COP, Deputy Country Representative and Country Representative, strengthen linkages with existing and potential partner agencies.
• Represent CRS at all relevant technical working groups, sectoral meetings and coordination forums.
• Ensure the program’s compliance with the USAID branding and marketing requirements, as well as CRS’ marketing and communication procedures.

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Chief of Party- SMILE, Program Technical Director, M&E Director, Deputy Country Representative(s), Country Representative, Head of Operations, 4Children technical leads, Finance, Procurement and Administration Staff, Regional and Senior Technical Advisors, Deputy Regional Directors for PQ and MQ.
• External: Technical team of USAID, Management staff of consortium partners, relevant technical resource persons in NACA, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, other relevant GoN line ministries and USAID funded partners.
• Agency Wide Competences (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

Qualifications and Skills:

• MSC or PhD degree in public health, Social Science or related technical field with a minimum of 10 years’ working experience, the last 4 years preferably in a management position, supervising senior staff in an international or multicultural environment.
• At least three (5) years of experience managing OVC and/or HIV programs funded by PEPFAR
• Experience managing a USAID contract is desirable.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, as well as negotiation skills.
• Strong experience with monitoring and evaluation and financial compliance.
• Demonstrated capacity to work closely with, understand, and support local partners.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time.