Lao People's Democratic Republic (the): Program Manager I, Nutrition, Laos

Job Description

Job Title: Program Manager I

Reports to: Laos Country Representative

Department: Asia

Salary Grade: 9

This position is contingent on funding.

About 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.

The CRS Laos program was established in 1994 and has worked in the unexploded ordnances, education, disability, and health sectors. The national office is in Vientiane, with programs operating in Savannakhet Province. Currently, the primary program sectors in which CRS Laos works are education and disability.

Project Background:

CRS is part of a consortium called LASER (Long-term Assistance and Services for Research) Consortium. Purdue University leads the LASER Consortium. LASER's objective is to co-create research solutions for development challenges. The USAID Laos Office will fund the Applied Nutrition Research Capacity Building project which seeks to: 1. Build the capacity of local researchers in nutrition, 2. Connect Lao researchers with universities and researchers focused on nutrition in other countries, and 3. Set up the Laos American Nutrition Initiative (LANI) which is envisioned as a center of excellence for scientific research and innovation, where academic exchanges, research, product development, teaching, and demonstrations can be housed.

Job Summary:

The Program Manager (PM I) will provide guidance and oversight of activities related to government capacity building, national partner research capacity in nutrition, and institution start-up. The PM I will manage donor relations and work closely with CRS staff in Vientiane as well as with counterparts from Purdue University and Indiana University. The PM will be responsible for overall management of technical, programmatic and operational aspects of the project and achievement of the project's goal, objectives, and targets as well as hire staff and align the team's efforts. The PM will be responsible for donor reports and budget management in compliance with USG rules and regulations. The PM will facilitate the necessary consultations with Government of Lao PDR (GOL), INGOs, UN Agencies, academic institutes and other relevant donors. This position will be vital to fully understand the requirements, needs and problems that will need to be tackled for successful implementation of the project.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Manage all key aspects of the development, implementation and consolidation of the Applied Nutrition Research Capacity Building project. Serve as a point of contact to Purdue University, Indiana University, USAID/RDMA, USAID/LAB/CDR, and other stakeholders as needed.
• Maintain relationships with key staff of consortium partner organizations in regard to program activities. Contribute to coordination of the roles and activities of staff from other consortium member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles.
• Manage program activities to meet donor and GOL expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget. Contribute to ensuring coordination between program leads, operations leads, and GOL focal points. Contribute to ensuring the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Coordinate the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
• Help identify, assess and strengthen partnerships relevant to research capacity, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• 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 recommend trainings and technical assistance.

Basic Qualifications:

• Master's degree in International Development, International Relations, Nutrition, or a relevant technical area. A PhD is a plus.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing light to moderately complex projects required, preferably with an international NGO.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Required Languages - Excellent written and spoken English.

Travel - Travel is expected at 15% to provinces.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3 years' experience managing donor funds with knowledge and experience in budget management.
• Recognized technical experience and qualifications in nutrition sector. Experience in government and institutional capacity building is desirable.
• Research skills and experience preferred.
• 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; knowledge of adult learning techniques a plus.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

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: Deputy Program Manager, Senior Project Officer - MEAL

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Country Representative, Head of Operations, Finance Manager, LEAPS II Chief of Party

External: Consortium and national partners, donor representatives, and other stakeholders as relevant

*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

This position is contingent upon funding

https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/nghome.guid?c=1161051&d=External&prc=RMPOD3&r=5000536157006