Country: Uganda
Closing date: 04 Jul 2016
Position Title: Project Director (PM II), 4Children Keeping Children in Healthy and Protective Families
Department/Country: Kampala, Uganda
Band: D
FLSA: Exempt
Reports To: Head of Programs, CRS Uganda
This position is contingent on final USAID approval for activities in Uganda (currently pending).
About CRS:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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.
BACKGROUND
Initiated in September 2014, 4Children is a USAID-funded consortium of organizations led by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) with partners IntraHealth, Maestral, Pact International, Plan International USA and Westat. The project aims in part to strengthen and build the evidence base for effective Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) programming through research and evaluation. Working with a team of leading experts in child protection and OVC, the overall 4Children initiative will design and implement assessments, evaluations and other special studies of new and ongoing projects and portfolios.
Within this larger 4Children initiative, Keeping Children in Healthy and Protective Families (KCHPF) Uganda is as an operational research project funded by USAID/Displaced Children and Orphans Fund (DCOF) that will support the reintegration of approximately 600 children living in residential care back into family-based care in order to evaluate the impact of a package of family support interventions on successful reintegration. The package to be tested will include reintegration case management support, a one-time reunification cash grant, and a parenting training intervention. KCHPF will design a two-arm Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to specifically measure the impact of the parenting program on reintegration success. During the main study phase, half of the enrolled families (i.e., 300) will receive the Sinovuyo reintegration parenting training while the control group will not receive this service. Both the control and intervention groups will receive case management support delivered by dedicated case workers along with the cash grant. KCHPF Uganda will partner with local implementing partners to implement the case management and parenting training interventions as well as support research activities. The cash grant will be delivered by CRS Uganda. KCHPF program activities are anticipated to start in August 2016 lasting through June 2019.
JOB SUMMARY
The KCHPF Uganda Project Director will be responsible for overall leadership and project management, including oversight of project activities, monitoring of timelines and outputs, ensuring adherence to technical and financial policies, guidelines, and standards of excellence, local implementing partner grant oversight, control and monitoring of project activities and expenses, compliance with donor requirements, reporting and external representation of the project. S/he will ensure project resources are managed according to USG and CRS rules and regulations, and that processes and results are documented in a timely manner. This position will support the daily management and coordination of project staff, manage partner relations, oversee communication and collaboration with USAID/Uganda and USAID/DCOF, Government of Uganda (GoU) entities, Westat, short-term consultants, as well as project implementing and research partners. This position will oversee the initial technical, program, and operational set-up of 4Children’s presence in Uganda. Subsequently, the position will provide technical leadership in the design, development, implementation, and monitoring of activities to achieve the deliverables and outcomes of the project. The Project Director will directly supervise the Project Officer, Project Assistant, and MEAL Manager, and provide technical oversight of the local implementing partners supporting case management and the parenting program. In addition, the Project Director will coordinate with the KCHPF global team and Westat to provide comprehensive oversight to the local research partner.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. Project Quality:
• Ensure that the project execution is in line with the project’s vision and donor-approved work plan; that project plans are effectively implemented and aligned with CRS agency and country program policies and procedures; and that project objectives and results are fully accomplished and meet expected technical quality standards.
• Lead the planning of project activities and set appropriate performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices, reporting time lines and donor guidelines are respected.
• In collaboration with the 4Children core team, identify needs for technical assistance in a timely manner, develop scopes of work (SoW), and provide supervision of technical assistance.
• Ensure key changes in program direction and focus are done in consultation with the KCHPF Family Strengthening and Child Protection Senior Technical Advisor, CRS Uganda Head of Programs, 4Children Consortium focal points in particular Westat and Maestral International.
• In collaboration with project staff, provide guidance and technical oversight to implementing partners, government entities, and other collaborating agencies to ensure that objectives are achieved.
B. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning
• Oversee the in-country management of the KCHPF research component by liaising regularly with the KCHPF Research and Learning Advisor, Westat, and the local research partner to ensure data collection and analysis is completed on time and is of high quality.
• In coordination with the 4Children Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team, develop and implement strong MEAL systems, using CRS tools and resources to maximize project impact on project participants in alignment with USAID M&E policies and CRS MEAL policies and procedures.
• Work closely with the Program Officer and the project-based MEAL Manager to ensure that data are used and analyzed as the basis for process documentation, program planning, learning and orientation and program performance measurement.
• Prepare and submit required donor project narrative reports, quarterly performance data, as well as other reports needed/required by the local government, donors, the region or headquarters.
• Oversee the identification, documentation and dissemination of project results in various forms, including media stories, lessons learned, case studies, etc., and support learning exchanges among USG implementing partners, GoU entities, and other programs both within and outside of Uganda.
C. Partnership and Representation
• In collaboration with the CRS Uganda Country Representative, Head of Programs and the 4Children Consortium, act as primary program contact to USAID/DCOF and other local and international stakeholders responsible for addressing all program matters.
• Engage 4Children consortium partners as well as local implementing and research partners as appropriate, during key stages in the project cycle for their insights on the appropriateness of program approaches and interventions and to support program quality.
• Forge and manage dynamic partnerships with the GoU, project implementing partners, other USG development projects, civil society, learning institutions, UN agencies, and the donor community in Uganda and externally as need arises.
• Oversee the relevant scopes of work, associated budgets, sub-agreements and grant management of all KCHPF Uganda local implementing and research partners (estimated three in total).
• In conjunction with the finance and administration teams, develop, implement and monitor capacity building plans to address any organizational capacity gaps for local implementing partners, as needed.
• Work closely with local implementing and research partners to ensure timely and quality advance tracking and liquidation;
D. Management and Administration:
• Oversee the project’s financial management, as per the project budget, including review and analysis of monthly budget comparison reports, preparation of quarterly forecasts, local partner grant management, and timely submission of annual expenditure analysis reports.
• Ensure staff and project compliance with all CRS administrative, operational, and financial procedures and policies, as well as applicable to the donor regulations.
• Coordinate with operations staff for purchasing and inventory control as per CRS/donor requirements. Lead, manage and supervise staff to meet project objectives.
• Mentor and coach staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork.
• Ensure Performance and Development Planning, coaching and appraisals of staff performance are conducted in keeping with CRS’ performance management system, addressing any issues of underperformance as appropriate.
• Participate in the recruitment of project staff and the selection and coordination of consultants, and support to project implementing partners as needed on project-related recruitment.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
• Internal: 4Children/KCHPF Core Leadership and Technical Advisors; CRS Uganda County Representative, Head of Programs, Finance, Procurement, and HR/Administration; Department of Program Impact and Quality Assurance Technical Advisors, and EARO Regional Technical Advisors.
• KCHPF Partners: Westat, Child’s i Foundation, Maestral International, Clowns without Boarders South Africa, local parenting implementing partner (TBD, local research partner (TBD).
• External: Donors, 4Children consortium members, research institutions, government ministries at the national, state and local levels, other USAID implementers, and child protection and OVC networks
• Supervisory Responsibility: The Project Director will directly supervise Project Officer, Project Assistant, and MEAL Manager, and national and international and/or national consultants.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
• Master’s degree in Sociology, Social Work, Public Health, International Development, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in programs focused on OVC and/or child protection programming; experience with parenting/family strengthening programs, case management approaches and social service systems strengthening strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge and technical capacity in child protection programming, including an understanding of the issues facing separated children and families in vulnerable contexts;
• Experience managing or conducting operational research a plus, including both quantitative, and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Familiarity with USG rules and regulations and experience managing USAID projects in Africa;
• Excellent project management skills with the demonstrated ability to successfully supervise, manage and coordinate staff and consultants to meet and report on project objectives in a timely manner.
• Excellent administrative, planning, budgeting and financial management skills, including the ability to prepare and analyze work plans and budgets.
• Experience with grant management, institutional strengthening, and capacity building - particularly of local implementing partners - as well as working in partnership or consortia.
• Strong critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in native-level English required.
• Demonstrated proactive leadership ability in diverse environments and under pressure, as well as supervisory and personnel management experience.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Ability to travel within Uganda on a regular basis (estimated 25-30 percent). Willingness to travel outside of Uganda to attend conferences, workshops or other related activities.
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff): These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer
How to apply:
Apply online: https://www5.apply2jobs.com/CRS/ProfExt/index.cfm?fuseaction=mExternal.showJob&RID=3043&CurrentPage=1