Program Manager I – Integrated Emergency Response and Recovery Project Full Time

• Job Title:                    Program Manager I – Integrated Emergency Response and Recovery Project
• Department:             Program
• Band:                         IX (9)
• Reports To:                Agriculture and Livelihoods Program Manager– Program
• Country/Location:    Ethiopia/Addis Ababa
• Number required:    One
• Term of Employment: Definite term ( i.e. up to July 31, 2026)

Job Summary 

CRS is planning to implement USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance-funded Integrated Emergency Response and Recovery Activity (IERRA) Project. IERRA is a comprehensive, multisectoral initiative that is delivered by local partners and aimed at building the resilience of communities facing various challenges, such as drought, conflict, and economic instability. The project will likely be implemented in 22 woredas across the Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Southern Ethiopia, and Tigray regions. The main objectives of the IERRA Project include supporting vulnerable farmers in restoring their crop production by providing agricultural inputs and promoting effective agronomic practices. Additionally, the project will rehabilitate damaged or dysfunctional water systems and rebuild shelters in the targeted woredas.

The Program Manager I (PMI) will lead and oversee the planning, execution, monitoring and control of the IERRA Project. The PMI ensures the project is carried out in a timely fashion, within budget, and in line with commitments made in the donor award. The PMI collaborates and coordinates across CRS’s country program departments and with partners at the field and main offices to track project progress and to forecast and escalate implementation issues. This role will contribute to advancing the work of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in serving the poor and vulnerable. The PMI’s project management skills and knowledge of the program area will ensure that the Country Program delivers high-quality initiatives and continuously enhances the project’s impact.

Job Responsibilities

Project Management

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of the IERRA project within the CP program unit throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Ensure the project is implemented in a timely manner and within the budget parameters. Track project progress and performance and keeps team members informed and identify areas for improvement. Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Facilitate regular project review meetings in line with CRS’s guidelines. The Project Manager I is critical to the success of project review meetings, as it is their responsibility to tailor these meeting approaches to the specific needs of their project, and to ensure that meetings provide a venue for data-driven decision-making and make efficient use of CRS and partner staff time.
• Coordinate with relevant country program and partner stakeholders across all offices to ensure key project tracking documents are in place and regularly updated and monitored. This includes but is not limited to detailed implementation plans, procurement plans, spending plans, and recruitment plans. Review project documentation to ensure the project file is complete with all required documentation and is filed per agency and donor requirements.
• Review annual and quarterly implementation plans and ensure resources are properly planned and managed.
• Coordinate and prepare periodic, quarterly, and annual reports for submission to donor/ CRS (country, region, and HQ) and government.
• Act as a key resource person in project design and proposal development in the respective programming area. Engage in business development activities (data collection, technical proposal writing, and budget development) as requested.

Line Management and Development

• Effectively manage talent and supervise and manage team dynamics and staff well-being, and provide coaching.
• Manage staff performance and development and ensure all staff have individual development plans in place. Identify staff capacity strengthening and professional development opportunities in line with their IDPs.
• Contribute to the recruitment process of project staff.

Program Quality

• Collaborate with MEL and other country staff to ensure learning is captured from- and applied to program delivery. Identify opportunities for research and publications as it relates to the project and in alignment with CRS’s MEAL policy.
• Oversee and monitor progress, evaluation, measuring uptake of practices, and best practices for further documentation through field visits and meetings with partners and beneficiaries, and review reports and provide constructive feedback to partners and CRS staff. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda.
• Ensure client feedback and safeguarding mechanisms are in place; regularly review client feedback, ensure timely response to feedback, and work with project team members to adapt program interventions where appropriate.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity-strengthening activities for project and partner staff to enhance program quality and impact.
• Coordinate and be involved in data collection for different assessments and writing of reports.
• Monitor the progress of the project through field visits, reviewing reports, meetings with partners and beneficiaries, and provide feedback to project staff and partners

Partnerships

• In collaboration with CRS’s Partnership Capacity Strengthening and Local Leadership unit, engage and strengthen partnerships, applying the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools, and approaches.
• Conduct periodic budget reviews and follow-up with partners on timely submission of financial and narrative reports to facilitate proper tracking of project progress and use of resources.

Representation and Coordination

• Coordinate and network with government, donors, and peer organizations working in agriculture and livelihoods, WASH, and shelter and settlement.
• Represent the organization with donors, INGO working groups, UN, relevant local partners, and relevant local government and community actors.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• MA/BA a degree in agriculture, international development, rural development, food security, or similar areas is a fundamental requirement with 5 years’ relevant experience for MA degree or 7 years’ relevant experience for BA degree in an international NGO. Alternatively, candidates may be considered with an equivalent combination of an advanced degree and an additional 3 years of relevant professional experience in the field.
• Experience working on development projects, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and emergency response initiatives. This includes a proven track record in successfully managing complex multisectoral projects that require coordination across various disciplines.
• Strong project management experience is highly desirable, with a focus on planning, implementing, and evaluating humanitarian and development programs effectively. The candidate should possess a thorough understanding of project management methodologies and tools.
• A strong understanding of USAID is preferred.
• Experience with line management responsibilities, promoting staff wellbeing and professional development.
• Proven experience in building and maintaining relationships with partner organizations is crucial. This includes collaboration and coordination to achieve shared goals and objectives in project implementation.
• Candidates should have strong skills in contributing to the development of technical proposals, ensuring they are aligned with donor requirements and best practices. Additionally, the ability to write high-quality reports that clearly communicate project progress, impact, and learning.
• Experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL). This includes designing and implementing MEAL frameworks to assess project effectiveness and inform decision-making processes.
• Proficiency in using MS Windows and MS Office applications (including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) is expected. Familiarity with web conferencing applications and information management systems to facilitate communication and data management is also required.

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 Language: English

Required Travel: Extensive travel within Ethiopia

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 are 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 look 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.