Job Title: Project Manager II – Child Protection and Care
Organisation: Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
Reports to: Director Health and Social Services
About US:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-profit organization whose commitment is to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas set out by the Bishops of the United States. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
Job Summary: The Project Manager is responsible for providing high-level social welfare and child protection oversight as well as quality assurance to the project staff and partners. The project Manager provides technical guidance, coordinates and supports local implementing partners. S/he also promotes active coordination and collaboration between external care reform projects working on care reform in the country. S/he leads country program efforts to pre-position CRS for strategic opportunities in Child Protection and Care Reform, plays a catalytic role and provides technical guidance in country strategy development, proposal development and project design with a focus on scale. In addition, the Project Manager will liase and collaborate with the Strategic Change Platform five global team, particularly the Regional Family Care Advisor and the Senior Technical Advisor for Family Strengthening and Alternative Care
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Program Quality
- Ensure that project implementation is in line with the projects’ technical approach, approved work plan, and that project deliverables meet expected technical quality standards.
- Coordinate, support, and monitor project activities to ensure technical adherence to international social welfare and child protection standards, documented best practices and relevant donor guidelines, by both project staff and implementing partners.
- Together with local partners, develop and provide training to all project staff on child protection and safeguarding policies that meet CRS’ policies on the protection of vulnerable children and adults – ensuring safeguarding mechanisms are active and effective throughout project duration.
- Maintain regular communication with the SCP5 Regional Family Care Advisor and ensure key changes in approach and focus are done in consultation with the SCP5 global team, CRS Director Health and Social Services, DHOP, and relevant project Consortium focal points.
Program Management and Administration
- Serve as the main technical point of contact for implementing partners to provide support and guidance, identify and address emerging issues, problem-solve and troubleshoot technical issues.
- In consultation with Director H4S, coordinate, support and monitor the implementation of project activities in line with the project’s technical approach and approved work plan and budget.
- Oversee the development, implementation and review of monthly plans to monitor progress of expected outputs and deliverables. This monitoring includes guiding CRS staff and consortium partners to address emerging issues identified by stakeholders throughout the planning and execution of the project.
- Facilitate coordination between implementing partners, CRS and MGLSD.
- Provide technical support and guidance to implementing partners and other collaborating agencies to ensure that project objectives are achieved to the highest technical standards.
- Support the identification of technical assistance and capacity building needs and coordinate the delivery of targeted interventions to strengthen local capacity in collaboration with the global technical advisors from the SCP5 platform.
- Ensure project implementation is in accordance with CRS programming principles and CRS core values and engage country program staff as needed.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)
- Work closely with staff and partners to ensure that project monitoring data are analyzed and used for program planning, monitoring, learning and performance measurement.
- Contribute to the development of required project narrative reports, quarterly performance data, as well as other reports needed/required by the local government, donors, the CRS regional office or headquarters. This input includes accurate and timely reporting.
- Support the identification, documentation and dissemination of project results in various forms, including abstracts, PowerPoint presentations, case studies and support programming learning exchanges within and outside of Uganda.
Strategic Leadership
- Lead country program efforts to pre-position CRS for strategic opportunities in Child Protection and Care to play a catalytic role in collaboration with the CP BD Specialist, Director H4S, and other key program staff.
- Provide technical guidance in country strategy development, proposal development and project design with a focus on scale.
Partnership and Representation
- Liaise with Government of Uganda authorities, particularly MGLSD in relation to programmatic and technical matters.
- Engage project consortium partners as appropriate, during key stages in the project cycle for their insights on the appropriateness of program approaches and interventions and to support program quality.
- Support meaningful engagement with key stakeholders engaged in social welfare strengthening and child protection – including government, civil society, faith-based organizations, learning institutions and UN agencies.
- Represent CRS at national forums to present CRS’ work in catalyzing outcomes at scale to influence technical partner approaches, donor funding practices, and policies.
- Network with relevant organizations to increase CRS’ profile as a catalyst for scale, actively contribute to stakeholders and donor understanding of the factors that enable locally-led scale.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The applicant must hold a Master’s degree in Social Work, Public Health, International Development or a related field.
- Eight (8) years of experience in programs focused on child protection, family strengthening, case management and reintegration; experience with social welfare systems strengthening, OVC and/or social welfare workforce capacity development strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge and technical capacity in child protection programming, including an understanding of the issues facing separated children and families in vulnerable contexts.
- Experience with capacity building – particularly of local implementing partners – as well as working in partnership or consortia.
- Knowledge of national government institutions and policies related to child protection and alternative care
- Previous experience of working and collaborating with national government institutions.
- Commitment to uphold CRS agency standards, policies and procedures, and comply with donor requirements.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English required.
- Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Strong critical thinking, creative problem-solving and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated experience working successfully in cross-disciplinary teams and facilitating team efforts in the workplace, as well as working independently.
- Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented.
- Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
- Ability to travel within Uganda on a regular basis (estimated at a minimum of 30 percent).
- Willingness to travel outside of Uganda to attend conferences, workshops or other related activities.
Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff): Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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.
- 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.
How to Apply:
All candidates should apply online at the link below.
Deadline: 4th August 2023 by 5:00pm