Private Sector Engagement Manager: Agriculture/Livelihoods (World Bank)

*This position is contingent on receipt of donor funding

About CRS

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 are accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary

As Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Manager, you will work as part of a team on a large project and provide oversight of a key function of the anticipated Agriculture/Livelihood project award by World Bank, to serve the poor and vulnerable in Sudan. You will lead the design, marketing, and management of the Private sector engagement including thegrant mechanism that will catalyze private sector investments in value chains, develop new agriculture-related businesses, and reduce risks associated with acquiring assets and skills required in agricultural market systems. Your management and technical knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Manage the development, implementation and consolidation of private sector engagement processes including the grants that will be required to be made to SMEs, Farmers organizations and Consumer Organizations. Serve as a point of contact on area of responsibility with public, private and non-government stakeholders, when needed.
• Manage agriculture financing to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality reports and budget. Ensure compliance with World Bank regulations, the award objectives and requirements. Contribute to ensuring coordination between program and operations leads. Contribute to ensuring the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures.
• Establish, implement, and monitor the grant management process, such as designing scoping studies, developing technical materials, facilitating selection process, preparing grant agreements and negotiation memos, overseeing due diligence assessments, overseeing monitoring and technical assistance for recipients, and overseeing grant closeout processes in line with CRS grant management guidance a donor rules and regulations.
• Coordinate with Director/Program, Project Managers, Project Officers, Technical Advisors, and Finance staff on grant design and selection to ensure activities stimulate economic opportunities in agricultural value chain and are feasible, economically viable, and compliant with all relevant WB and CRS policies and procedures.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being, provide coaching. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Contribute to the development of staffing plans.
• Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Help ensure compliance with World Bank grants, including financial tracking oversight of grant budgets, finance, administration and reporting to the donor. Ensure financial and programmatic compliance of the grant to contractual obligations, donor requirements, and CRS policies.
• Maintain relationships with key staff of partner organizations in area of responsibilities. Contribute to coordination of the roles and activities of staff from other partner 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. Contribute to generation and documentation of learning drawn from the grant mechanism.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in project management, financial and organization management.
• Prior Private Sector Engagement/agriculture/fragile markets experience, in countries like Sudan is preferred.
• 5 years’ relevant experience managing and administering foreign government federal contracts/internal funds and/or grants with grant making components.
• Experience working with international government or institutional donor supported projects and knowledge of financial rules and regulations, including fiscal controls and fund accounting procedures.

Required/Desired Foreign Language – Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge in Arabic language is preferred.

Base and Travel — Based in Port Sudan, Sudan, subject to change. Must be willing and able to travel up to 40% in country.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings
• Good strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment. Strong analytical skills to id and assess credibility of organizations eligible for grants
• Strong technical writing skills
• Strong data collection and research skills and ability to interpret and analyze data
• Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Recognized technical experience and qualifications in grant-making and private sector engagement.
• Private Sector grants management working experience highly preferred, especially in the fragile context like Sudan.
• Knowledge of financial rules and regulations, including fiscal controls and grant compliance, donor and agency level standards.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships, especially on grant management and reporting. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
• Excellent representational and communication skills, written and oral.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conference Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Agency wide 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 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 looks 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities: TBD

Key Working Relationships:

Internal : Program Director, Deputy Director (Programs), Deputy Director (Operations), Program Managers, Grant officers, finance, procurement and MEAL

External : Private sector actors, local partners, peer agencies, and others.

***CRS 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 prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.