Project Manager 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: Project Manager – Nigerian Nationals Only

Job ref.: 200000LJ
Location: Abuja
Job: Program Management
Schedule: Regular
Shift: Standard
Employee Status: Manager
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.
• The USAID – funded Core Group Global Health Security (CG-GHS) Project supports a multi-lateral. multi-sectoral approach to strengthening local and global health security by strengthening capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats whether occurring naturally or being deliberately spread. Achieving global health security requires an inclusive and collaborative effort that builds on the interdependencies among communities, civil society, the private sector and governments. Specifically, the work performed within the auspices of Global Health Security Agenda is designed to help member countries fulfill their obligations to the meet targets identified by the International Health Regulations (2005) as measured through joint External Evaluations. One of the core activities within the GHS project is disease surveillance and community engagement as part of its ongoing polio work. CGPP-GHS project in Nigeria will coordinate and collaborate with key stakeholders and line ministries addressing livestock and wildlife health, as well as environmental health, through a “one Health” approach. This new approach provides the opportunity to record those unusual events and reports them up; so, they may be investigated and triaged quickly before they could become outbreaks or worse, epidemics.
• CGPP – GHS project coordinates and expands the work of organizations in the CORE Group NGO Network.
• The CGPP -GHS project NGO Network in Nigeria is implemented by 3 PVOs (Save the Children International, International Medical Corps and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) dedicated to addressing infectious disease threats through community programming.

Job Summary

• The GHS Project Manager (PM) will provide coordination and technical support for the implementation of interventions related to Global Health Security Agenda (GHS) portfolio of CGPP -GHS in Nigeria, specifically focusing on technical areas of zoonotic disease detection, prevention and response. She/he will ensure that the work is of the highest quality.
• As required, the GHS PM will work with the implementing NGO Staff, headquarters-based and state-level GHS partners and stakeholders in strengthening community-based disease surveillance (CBS) in the five focal states.
• As directed by the Secretariat Director, she/he will meet regularly with USAID Mission and other GHS Partners to disseminate information on activities, learn about new developments within the GHSA space and adopt or adapt them into the CGPP-GHS intervention as may be required.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and facilitate the planning, implementation, and reporting of CGPP – GHS project activities in Nigeria.
• Under the guidance of the CGPP -GHS global technical lead and Secretariat Director, provide onsite technical and organizational development support to the NGO implementing agencies to strengthen multi -sectoral and multidisciplinary collaboration on community-based zoonotic disease outbreaks
• Work closely with the CGPP -GHS technical lead, USAID Nigeria and Secretariat team to help develop, review, implement and monitor technical approaches and strategies for strengthening the response to community-based zoonotic disease surveillance and response as related to the GHS deliverables, reporting, knowledge management ,and learning.
• Work closely with ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Agriculture (MOA),and other GHS stakeholders at the national and state level to process, analyze and use of One Health/GHS information to improve management, make necessary adjustment, and assess trends.
• With the Deputy Secretariat Director, contribute to 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.
• Collaborate with stakeholders for the development, deployment, and implementation of appropriate GHS-CBS tools necessary to improve community-based zoonotic disease surveillance
• As directed by the Secretariat Director, interface with national USAID implementing partners conducting related GHS work, and global and regional technical USAID GHS Mission team to ensure alignment between country and global GHS activities.
• In coordination with the MEAL Manager, ensure the collection and organization of GHSA information in accordance with USAID GHSA M&E framework
• Liaise with the Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU), relevant government officials and partners, on a continuous basis to ensure awareness, coordination, buy-in, and cooperation for the successful planning and implementation of One Health approach in the five focal states
• Represent CGPP -GHS at national, regional, and international outbreak preparedness and response planning activities
• Participate in developing/reviewing the project log frame/performance frameworks for evidence-based program decision and USAID reporting and detailed M&E implementation plans for the ore Group -GHS project in Nigeria
• As guided by the Secretariat Director, conduct quarterly and ad hoc field monitoring visits to all implementing partners to verify data and program activities and make recommendations
• Coordinate and facilitate all evidence gathering activities including program evaluations, research activities, and case studies/success stories
• Track performance on established input, activity, output, effect, and impact indicators to measure achievement and track progress towards intermediate results and overall program strategic objectives.

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Secretariat Director, Deputy Secretariat Director, MEAL Manager, RI-PIO, MEAL Officers, State Team Leads, MEAL Technical Officer
• External:USAID GHS Focal point, GHS Partners, Ministry of Agriculture, WHO, NCDC, FAO, MSH-MTaPs

Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:

• Advanced Degree in Public Health, Animal Health, Epidemiology, Preventive medicine, and related biomedical disciplines.
• At least 10 years addressing animal and human health threats with at least 5 years in a managerial or leadership position (with practical experience in preparedness and response planning and systems)
• Good knowledge of One Health Concept, GHSA, OIE-PVS, and IHR -2005 principles
• Possession of analytical, problem-solving and strategic planning skills
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and written/verbal communication skills, including in cross-cultural settings
• Previous experience working in a consortium and a team player with the demonstrated professional maturity to work with a multi-sector team to deliver combined results
• Demonstrated experience in applying One Health approaches to address community -based disease challenges
• Strong understanding of the Nigeria national One Health &community health strategy
• Experience with public health programs in developing country context supported by bilateral agencies such as USAID, CDC and International agencies such as FAO, OIE, and WHO preferred
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability in consensus building and constructively leading a team
• Proficiency in MOH, PHIS, EPI info, MS Excel, SPSS, GIS and other data management software and MS Office
• Fluency in English
• Required Languages – Ability to speak Hausa will be an Advantage
• Travel – include percentage of required travel, if applicable. Could be stated as Must be willing and able to travel up to 70 %.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to detect and report inconsistencies
• Excellent organizational skills with great attention to detail
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solution oriented and results-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with relevant donors’ regulations is a plus.
• Proficient in Excel and experience with Word and PowerPoint. Knowledge of financial reporting software a plus.

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