Program Manager II – Agricultural Economic Livelihoods and Ultra Poor Graduation

Job Summary: 

As a member of the Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA)/Ifaa project team, you will, provide technical oversight, coordinate, and monitor project activities and partnerships to help achieve RFSA’s Economic Livelihoods objectives. You will ensure effective systems and processes are in place to support high-quality programming aligned with Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) mission of serving the poor and vulnerable. Your role will involve providing technical advice, guidance, and support across areas including agriculture production (food system), market system development (MSD), private sector engagement (PSE), access to financial service providers, household graduation and off-farm livelihoods.  You will focus on implementing RFSA/Ifaa in accordance with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, USAID/BHA guidelines, and industry best practices to enhance    high-quality programming delivery to the poor and vulnerable. 

Your technical expertise, advice and guidance will play a crucial role in shaping the effectiveness, adaptability, and innovation of CRS’ RFSA/IFAA programming globally.   The incumbent will be responsible for establishing and maintaining strong collaborative working relationships across a wide range of implementing partners and government of Ethiopia (GoE) stakeholders. The incumbent will be responsible for sustainability i.e. ensuring local service providers are in place to ensure program sustainability. The incumbent must be well-versed in the PSNP methodology, particularly the holistic approach of PSNP 5, aimed at increasing resilience of its beneficiaries and linking livelihoods with public works.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership, supervision, and oversight to improve the performance of all livelihood’s activities in the program. Ensure efficient and effective project implementation by overseeing the timely completion of high-quality work plans, accurate reports, and other mandated deliverables in alignment with USAID requirements.

• Work with the project staff to prepare project work-plans with clear objectives and achievable benchmarks, reflecting strategic long-term and short-term priorities.

• Maintain clear, consistent, and effective communication with all livelihoods-focused implementing partners. 

• Represent the project in relevant agriculture and Livelihoods technical working groups and meetings including federal and regional livelihoods technical meeting.

• Ensure quality and compliance of technical approach for agriculture and livelihoods sector activities aligning with USAID/BHA requirements and best practice, including requirements for restricted goods

• Provide technical leadership for RFSA’s food systems/production and value chain/market systems development, enterprise development/private sector engagement, and formal and informal financial service provision (MFI, SME finance, digital finance).

• Develop Standard Operating Guides (SOGs) and provide technical guidance to the RFSA team on the development of market-based approaches and private sector engagement (agro dealers, livestock input suppliers and other PSE) 

• Contribute to the ongoing improvements to CRS East Africa Region’s private sector engagement. 

• Lead value chain upgrading, mapping and value chain financing options and follow up with enterprise screening, capacity assessments, in collaboration with financial institutions and service providers, as required. 

• Collaborate with relevant government entities (Federal, Regional, Zonal, Woreda, Kebele) and other livelihoods programming/awards to develop financial education curriculum that draws upon best practices and tools; and led PSNP livelihoods implementation strategy 

• Oversee the development of training curriculum for development agents on crop and livestock production and management techniques.

• Provide guidance and quality technical oversight to training of livelihood groups in CRS’ savings and internal lending communities (SILC) methodology.

• Collaborate with CRS implementing partners in supporting peer-based farmer to farmer approach entailing demonstration plots and learning sessions in climate-smart approaches.

• Provide technical leadership to program activities related to on-farm (crop and livestock value chain/Market system) and off-farm Income Generating Activities (IGAs), including development of business plans.

• Ensure the quality and appropriateness of activities to achieve the target indicators in a cost-effective, timely, and sustainable manner; and

• Provide direct supervision, performance management, and technical guidance to other project livelihood team members including Agricultural production and Marketing technical advisor and access to finance and off farm livelihoods technical advisor II

• Assist with the hiring, orientation, and training of key CRS and implementing partner staff to build a technically strong, well supported, motivated team.

• Provide direction and technical advice through biannual coaching sessions and daily support in project implementation.

• Working with the RFSA DCOP for Operations you will lead technical, budget management, monitoring and reporting activities for Purpose II (Economic Livelihoods) through the remaining project cycle - , implementation and close-out - in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. 

• Effectively manage and develop talent by supervising team dynamics and supporting staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailored individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process and oversee performance management for direct reports.

• Lead the development of RFSA’s Economic livelihoods and graduation learning agenda by identifying opportunities for learning, research and publications. Ensure the implementation of the MEAL policy and facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to support the agency’s knowledge management objectives.  

• Manage the implementation of Ifaa’s graduation programming overseeing all aspects of implementation of the Graduation Pillars (livelihoods, finance, social empowerment and social protection) and related interventions. This includes the development of an operations manual, participant selection and trainings, asset package identification and delivery, life skills coaching, formation of savings groups, health care support and social integration.

• Ensure collaboration, integration and learning are properly embedded throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities in alignment with CRS and donor MEAL Policies. Proactively identify and report issues, to inform adjustments to program plans and implementation schedules. 

• Build and strengthen partnerships relevant to the RFSA Economic Livelihoods Program, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.

• Represent CRS with donors, INGO working groups, UN agencies, relevant local partners and relevant local government and community actors for RFSA Economic Livelihoods.

• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of RFSA Agricultural Economic livelihoods and graduation material sources. Coordinate activities required for ensuring the financial, material and human resources for the quality implementation of the RFSA. Conduct periodic budget reviews and follow-up with partners on timely submission of financial reports to facilitate proper tracking of resource use associated with Agricultural Economic Livelihoods and graduation

• Coordinate Ifaa’s household graduation approach 

• Contribute to designing context specific ultra poor graduation program and develop innovative ideas for integrating it into a broader livelihood development agenda.

• Identify staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and contribute to capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation. 

• Assist with the preparation of trends analysis reports and disseminate results. Review project documentation to ensure project file is complete with all required documentation and is filed per agency and donor requirements.

• Contribute to the creation of Graduation-related training tools and capacity building content

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• An advanced degree (master’s or PhD) in a relevant field including international development, agriculture, natural resource management, climate adaptation and/or food security. An advanced degree can be substituted with an additional 3 years of relevant experience.

• Minimum 5 years demonstrated experience with USG or other similar development projects.

• Experience in the field of Economic Livelihoods and for an NGO would be a plus.

• Additional experience may substitute for some education. 

• Relevant grant management experience, especially for USG or other public donors, a plus. 

• Staff supervision experience. 

• Experience working with stakeholders at various levels and strengthening community partnerships. 

• Ability to contribute to the development of technical proposals, a plus. 

• Experience analyzing data and contributing to evaluation reports. 

• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). 

Personal Skills 

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.

• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders. Representation abilities.

• Ability to contribute to written reports

• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Required/Desired Foreign Language: English and Amharic 

Travel Required: Extensive travels within Ethiopia (40-50% to RFSA implementation woredas), and internationally as required.

Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory: Agricultural Production and Marketing technical Advisor and Access to Finance and Off farm Livelihoods Technical Advisor.

Internal: RFSA Chief of Party, RFSA DCOP for Programming, other RFSA DCOPs and Managers, SILC staff, all Country Program staff, Regional and Headquarters technical staff.

External: Implementing partners, officials at USAID, government bodies at different levels, representatives from for-profit and other non-profit organizations, representatives of non-traditional public donors including UN, World Bank, and others, and relevant GoE stakeholders.

Agency-wide Competencies (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. 

• Trusting Relationships 

• Professional Growth 

• Partnership 

• Accountability 

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.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

How To Apply

Interested and qualified professionals who meet the requirement are encouraged to apply through https://form.jotform.com/242533797742567 before the deadline on 20 September 2024.
***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Qualified female and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

CRS is Equal Opportunity Employer!