CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES LESOTHO
CAREER OPPORTUNITY
Position: Agriculture and Livelihoods Program Director
Reports to: Head of Programs (HoP)
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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 in emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.
Catholic Relief Services began working in Lesotho in 1976 and has had a physical presence since 2002. Programming areas include health, agriculture/livelihoods, WASH and school feeding/nutrition. CRS has a staff complement of 70 and its programming, in collaboration with local partners, spans all 10 districts in Lesotho. The most recent donors include GIZ/EU, USDA, USAID/PEPFAR, UNICEF, UNDP and many other private donors.
Job Summary
As Program Director, you will provide overall leadership to the CRS Lesotho Agriculture Livelihoods program team and be responsible for the overall management of the portfolio; including the quality of programmatic implementation (including monitoring, evaluation and learning) and administrative elements of the project to serve the poor and vulnerable. You are responsible for ensuring that the Community Engagement for Integrated Catchment Management in Lesotho, Landscapes and Livelihoods Strategic Platform (LLSCP) in Lesotho and the Promoting Green Value Chains for COVID-19 Recovery projects results are achieved on time and on budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability, and that the budget is consumed as planned. As a senior leader, you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development, implementation and consolidation of the Community Engagement for Integrated Catchment Management in Lesotho, Landscapes and Livelihoods Strategic Platform Lesotho and the Promoting Green Value Chains for COVID-19 Recovery projects. Provide oversight for all aspects of program quality, program management, representation, and human resources. Serve as the primary point of contact to European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in support of the Government of Lesotho and SADC, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Landscape Restoration Roadmap Director as well as other public, private and non-government stakeholders.
- Ensure strategic objectives and results are accomplished and meet technical quality standards through annual and quarterly activity planning and budget forecasts. Lead quarterly technical review of implementation plans.
- Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and recruitment process of senior staff
- Coordinate with M&E department to oversee the design and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation system, using appropriate forms, procedures, and tools for data collection and analysis as the basis for measuring, documenting and reporting outcomes.
- Manage and mitigate risk. Ensure compliance in GIZ, CRS LLSCP and UNDP grants including oversight of partner budgets, finance and administration, and reporting to the donors.
- Coordinate relationships with consortium partner organizations. Contribute to coordination of roles and activities of staff from consortium member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles.
- Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high-quality training and technical assistance.
- Support the development of high-quality project design incorporating project management standards and MEAL methods, appropriate to scope, context and technical requirements of projects. Coordinate planning of activities across various projects from different sectors to ensure integration of program interventions and efficiency in implementation.
- Lead technical components into the development of concept notes and proposals which includes but not limited to: assessments, design, concept note and proposal development.
Basic Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in International Development, Agricultural Economics, Natural Resources Management, Agriculture, Environmental Management, International Relations or a related field. Additional experience may substitute for the master’s degree.
- At least 5 years of experience managing large scale development grants, preferably focusing on Agriculture Livelihoods.
- Proven track record of successful USG, EU, GIZ and UN funded program management, including management of multi-activity projects, complicated logistics and large budgets, as well as commodities.
- At least 3 years of supervisory experience, including performance evaluation, coaching and mentoring.
Required Languages: Strong written and spoken English required.
Travel: Travel within country required as needed, with some international travel possible for attendance at program-related meetings and workshops. Must be willing and able to travel up to 20%.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Proven leadership and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams,
- Proven experience in building and maintaining institutional linkages,
- Ability to work to meet deadlines in multiple tasking environments,
- Excellent organization, planning and analytical skills; detail oriented,
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated strength in relationship management.
- Experience in Business Development and Resource Mobilization.
- Strong negotiation and stakeholders relationship management skills
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
Supervisory Responsibilities:
ICM Area Coordinators, MEAL Coordinator, ICM Technical Advisors, Land Restoration Project Manager and Religion Matters Project Manager.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Lesotho Country Program programming and operations staff, particularly Agriculture and Livelihoods staff, Regional Technical Advisors for Agriculture and Livelihoods and MEAL as well as other Technical Advisors from the SARO Region and HQ.
External: Caritas Lesotho, GIZ, ICU and other external stakeholders within ICM Renoka movement.
Submission:
Please note that the position is only open to applicants who are Citizens or Permanent residents of Lesotho. Interested candidates should submit their CV and Cover Letter indicating salary expectations, no later than July 21, 2023 at 14:00 hrs by email to [email protected] with the subject line PROGRAM DIRECTOR. If the subject line does not indicate the position, the applicant will not be considered.
HARD COPY APPLICATIONS NOT ACCEPTED. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.
Please be advised that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, all successful candidates will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and their personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate their behaviours related to the above safeguarding-related topics.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.