Deputy Chief of Party I at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

We are recruiting to fill the position be:

Job Title: Deputy Chief of Party I – Nigerian Nationals Only

Job ref.: 200000LH
Location: Abuja
Job: Chief of Party
Schedule: Regular
Shift: Standard
Employee Status: Director
Job Type: Full-time
Job Level: Day Job
Travel: Yes, 75 % of the Time

Project Summary

• The CORE Group Partnership Project (CGPP) is a multi-country, multi-partner initiative providing financial support, on-the-ground technical guidance and support to strengthen host country efforts to eradicate polio. The premise of this project is to work through existing networks of international and local NGOs with established child survival activities in high risk areas of priority countries.
• A country-level Secretariat coordinates the work of CORE group members in a manner that complements the work of other implementing partners. The work of all CORE members is in support of the national action plan for polio eradication, 5-year health plans and consistent with national MDG goals.

Job Summary

• The DCoP (Deputy Secretariat Director) will assist the SD/CoP (Secretariat Director/Chief of Party) to strengthen collaboration and partnership with key stakeholders in immunization, PHC systems strengthening and Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) at the sub-national level.
• She/he will focus on managing state-level engagements with government and partners while also ensuring key interventions in immunization system strengthening and Global Health Security Agenda are implemented under the overall guidance of the CoP.
• She/he will oversee and track the implementation of interventions to address Preventable Zoonotic Diseases (PZD) and other Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) at the state level.
• She/he will also monitor and track CBO budgets and ensure they align with approved workplans.
• The role aims to assist the CoP in providing technical and program management support to CGPP project operations at the field level to ensure program objectives are implemented and thus ensuring the achievement of CGPP goals and objectives.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Provide all operational support to the SD/CoP in effective advocacy with the USAID Mission.
• Assist the SD/CoP to track expenditures and expenditure patterns by reviewing monthly and quarterly financial reports. And advise the SD/CoP on corrective actions, if necessary.
• Mentor the Project Manager-Global Health Security (GHS) in the analysis of public health, animal health, wildlife, and environmental services to identify vertical and horizontal linkages useful to support community-based zoonotic disease field surveillance, and work collaboratively to maximize efficiencies and cooperation.
• Provide inputs and feedback to ensure quality of all CGPP reporting and monitoring formats developed by technical staff before submission to the SD/CoP
• Assist the SD/CoP to oversee and facilitate the planning, implementation, and reporting of GHSA project activities in Nigeria
• Provide inputs to the MEAL Manager in the review of monthly/quarterly progress reports from partners.
• Provide inputs into the development of the CGPP Nigeria monthly, quarterly and annual reports, and ensure the timely completion of monthly data updates, articles for submission to peer-reviewed journals and other reports as required.
• Ensure on-going quality improvement within the technical aspects of the project by regularly reviewing field activities, trainings, and other events and materials as appropriate.
• Participate in program review meetings organized by PVO/NGO partners, make field visits to assist them in reviewing program activities and provide technical updates, if necessary.
• Monitor target achievements across all CBOs in Yobe and Kaduna states; as well as determine and provide feedback to ensure target achievement
• Participate in, and provide support to CGPP staff capacity building (formal training) training activities
• Assist CGPP Nigeria program in disseminating learning at international forums through presentation of papers, articles, abstracts etc.
• Assist MEAL Manager in conducting regular evaluation of the project by ensuring the conduct of the Mid-Term Evaluation, Surveys, review methodology, tools and templates to ensure international standards are met.
• Represent the Secretariat Director in technical or programmatic meetings as may be appropriate
• Participate in all CGPP partners or stakeholder meetings as appropriate and/or as requested by the SD/CoP.
• Provide recommendations to the SD/CoP on budget estimates and budget guidelines to ensure timely disbursements of funds to all in-country partners
• Assist SD/CoP in reviewing relevant reports and making recommendations as appropriate
• Meet monthly with CBO partners in collaboration with the Finance Officer to monitor and provide support for liquidation reporting processes.
• Ensure all cash advanced to CBOs are liquidated monthly in a timely manner.
• Serve as a liaison between the CGPP Secretariat and critical stakeholders at the sub-national level

Key Working Relationships

• Internal: Secretariat Director, DCR Programs, DCR Operations, State Team Leads, PM-GHS, RI-PIO, MEAL Manager
• External: WHO, UNICEF, CDC, AFENET, Rotary, State Ministry of Health, State PHC Board, State EOC, State level partner Team Leads.

Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or PhD degree in Public Health, Social Science or related technical field.
• 5 years’ relevant management and technical experience.
• 3 years’ experience managing donor funds. Knowledge and experience in budget management.
• Minimum of 10 years’ working experience in the last 4 years preferably in a management position, supervising senior staff in an international or multicultural environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Very good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Very good relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Recognized technical experience and qualifications in Immunization specifically and PHC Systems strengthening in general
• Demonstrated experience of successful management, including management of functions of complex, multi-activity projects.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
• Required Languages – English language, Hausa and any other local language (Fulfulde or Kanuri) as applicable is an added advantage
• Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 75%.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: None

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.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• 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.
• Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
• CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
• CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer