Recent Jobs at Catholic Relief Services (CRS), 22nd November, 2018

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Cash Working Group Technical Co-chair

Req Number: I4354
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Position Type: Full Time
Position Status: Temporary
Reports to: CRS Emergency Coordinator

Background

• Cash Transfer Programming (CTP) has been used in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in north-east Nigeria since 2013. A range of humanitarian actors, as well as national authorities and development partners, are currently either considering or planning to significantly scale up such programs to ensure households have access to basic needs, while also reinforcing choice, dignity and accountability for those affected. Cash transfers are also increasingly being used to leverage the potential for addressing recovery needs and for bridging the divide between humanitarian and development programming.
• Following a CALP-organized workshop in November 2016, the Cash Working Group (CWG) in Abuja reviewed the Terms of Reference of the Borno CWG. It was decided that the Borno CWG would focus on operational and technical issues, while the Abuja CWG would focus on strategic and advocacy issues at the national level. Considering the significant amount of technical priorities to be addressed by the group, it was also agreed that dedicated technical capacity would be established to support the strategic level coordination responsibilities of the chair of the CWG in Northeast Nigeria, covering the three states most affected by the humanitarian crisis, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
• CRS has received funding from USAID/OFDA to host a CWG Technical Co-chair and is looking for a person to fill this position starting mid-July 2018.

Purpose
To work with humanitarian actors in NE Nigeria for the development of a community of practice around cash transfer programming and building capacity of interested parties. To harmonize approaches, build evidence and best practice in country through sharing of experience and contribute to national and global learning.

The co-chair drives collective progress and provides technical expertise for jointly agreed priorities established by the cash working group, considering their collective views and seeking to achieve consensus and collaboration by the group. In line with member expertise and interest, other agencies may be designated to lead on activities. Depending on the collective agreement by the CWG members and needs on the ground, activities may include the following:

• Establish regular technical exchange with CWG members with a view to promoting an inclusive and transparent decision-making process;
• Develop and support, whenever possible, harmonized tools, approaches and procedures in CTP, including the harmonization of vulnerability criteria, transfer values, modalities of payment, assessment and monitoring activities;
• Collaborate on joint assessments, planning, targeting and monitoring, when necessary;
• Ensure beneficiary involvement, accountability and transparency in CTP;
• Highlight cash and voucher transfer interventions that are most likely to be effective in each situation, drawing upon lessons learned and examples of good practice for rapid and appropriate response;
• Build CWG capacity[1]through formal trainings, learning events and continued sharing/exchange of practical learning;
• Encourage collective negotiations with service providers for effective cash and voucher programme delivery;
• Identify and advocate for opportunities to link emergency cash transfer projects with longer-term support to social transfers as part of social protection strategies, potentially significantly strengthening CTP preparedness at the State level.
• Document cash-based experiences and maintain a repository of information, learning and reference resources.
• Ensure organizations’ cash based programming are accurately represented across all sectors in the 5w
• In coordination with OCH support the development of the Cash Based Grant section of the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP).

Additionally, the following are key activities, tasks, and responsibilities that need to be completed by the end of the assignment.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities
Co-chair cash coordination and a community of practice:

• In coordination with the OCHA CWG Co-chair, work with organizations involved with cash/market based interventions. As the NGO counterpart, co-chair the technical working group and represent this working group in relevant cluster meetings (food assistance, shelter, health, etc.) and other external fora.
• Facilitate and maintain a community of practice in country through information sharing, guidance, advice and exchange of technical support. Promote cash-transfer programming in the country.

Deliverables:

• Identify viable options for cash transfer mechanisms in NE Nigeria with details on costs and operational requirements (ex. lead time between submitting beneficiary lists and payments).
• Manage the technical aspect of coordination through meeting management as well as partner and stakeholder follow-up on pending issues from partners.
• Presentations in clusters and other relevant external fora. Develop context specific tools on cash- and voucher transfers and support other NGOs in using these tools
• In coordination with active stakeholder, develop a Financial Service Provider (FSP) expansion strategy to support the transition from voucher programming to multi-purpose cash programming as appropriate
• Support collaboration amongst CWG group members to identify areas of improvement to more efficiently and effectively program markets based interventions

Capacity Building & Learning:

• Identify capacity building needs through ongoing engagement with CWG member organizations and build capacity in cash transfer programming through conducting at least 2 basic trainings for CTP practitioners.

Deliverables:

• Determine learning event needs and facilitate the planning and implementation of learning events
• Identify capacity building needs, facilitate the development of priority training needs in collaboration with the partners and cross-sector leads.
• Follow up with participants of trainings on the utilization of knowledge gained and identify local “cash/voucher experts” for a continuation of cash coordination.

Research & Advocacy:

• Keep an overview on market functionality and elasticity in NE Nigeria. Gather information on the impact of in-kind programming versus voucher programming versus cash-based programming. Advocate for market based programming where this is considered most appropriate based on evidence.

Deliverables:

• Facilitate the sharing of project evaluation information across CWG actors to in an effort to identify trends in best practice and areas for improvement across market based programming.
• Evidence of impact of in-kind programming versus voucher programming vs cash programming with advocacy for market based programming where this is considered most appropriate.
• Provide information to and gain information from donors, Government and the corporate sector to facilitate funding opportunities for cash learning and interventions.

Skills & Experience

• A Master’s degree in an appropriate technical field (Humanitarian Assistance, Food Security and Livelihoods, etc).
• A minimum of 3-years’ experience in cash/voucher/e-voucher transfer programming in a humanitarian response setting.
• Experience in research; collecting and analyzing information and presenting well-written reports.
• Strong public speaking skills. Able to present information to an external audience and conduct trainings.
• Excellent coordination skills such as ability to liaise with various agencies/individuals, organize events, priorities work and ensure a smooth flow of information and an environment of cooperation and information sharing.
• Excellent analytical skills with ability to influence decision makers.
• Diplomacy and good interpersonal skills, together with the capacity to remain calm under pressure and not lose sight of strategic priorities.
• Ability to work independently and to work with people located in different geographic locations and in other organizations.
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English.
• A sound understanding of the importance of gender in humanitarian work.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts.
• Committed to Equal Opportunities (e.g., gender, race, disability).
• Innovative and creative to find lasting solutions to rapid, timely and appropriate humanitarian response.
• Experience and training in the EMMA tool kit is an advantage.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Chief of Party, Rural Resilience

Req Number: I4504
Location: Abuja, with travel among field locations in Nigeria.
Position Type: Full Time
Position Status: Regular
Reports To: Deputy Country Representative, Emergency and Early Recovery
Work Environment: Abuja office

Background

• CRS is preparing for an anticipated multi-million dollar, multi-year USAID/Nigeria Rural Resilience Program, which will support poverty reduction for vulnerable households in Nigeria.
• This effort will contribute to CRS’ agriculture and livelihoods signature program area and ongoing efforts to promote resilience, recovery and development within Nigeria and neighboring countries around the Lake Chad Basin.

Job Summary

• The Chief of Party (COP) will have overall responsibility for the Rural Resilience Program. Responsibilities include meeting project objectives and deliverables while providing overall leadership in technical, administrative, operational, and management aspects.
• The COP will act as the primary relationship manager for the project with USAID/Nigeria, Government of Nigeria, partners and external stakeholders. Responsibilities include:

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in International Development, Management, Agriculture, Economics or other relevant field. PhD preferred.
• At least 10 years of international management experience
• At least 10 years’ experience in agriculture-based and rural development resilience program
• At least 10 years of COP experience for USAID-funded activities
• Prior experience managing USAID-funded assistance projects of a similar size (over US$ 10M) and scope in developing countries; experience managing multi-sectoral projects including livelihoods, agricultural development, resilience, market-based approaches to economic development, climate change, food security, gender, conflict.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and partners.
• Experience managing programmatic and financial reporting requirements.
• Experience with USAID rules, regulations and requirements is preferred.
• Experience working in sub-Saharan Africa required. Prior experience in Nigeria preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.

Required Travel:

• To field locations in Nigeria.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide overall strategic guidance, leadership, management and general technical oversight of the entire program, with a strong focus on achieving defined results.
• Act as the key liaison with USAID, Government of Nigeria, all implementing partners and stakeholders involved with the program.
• Represent the program and present its work nationally and globally to CRS leadership, the donor, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Lead, manage, supervise and mentor program staff and consortium partners.
• Ensure high-quality monitoring and evaluation of program impact and timely submission of donor reports and deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with CRS and USAID policies and requirements

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:

• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Deadline: 21st December, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Deadline: 21st December, 2018.

Note

• This job description is not exhaustive of all duties which might be assigned.
• This will be linked to the annual CWG Capacity Building Plan developed by the CWG Nigeria.