Position description
As Chief of Party I you will provide leadership and overall management of a McGovern Dole Food for Education (MGD/FFE) project. Your leadership, management and technical knowledge will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming and advance the position of CRS as a leading agency in school feeding programming. You will motivate and management the project team to ensure project success, and draw on lessons learned to inform adaptive management. As a senior leader you will proactively manage and mitigate security risks. The position is based in The Gambia and reports to the CRS Gambia Country Manager.
Responsibilities
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- Lead all aspects of the development, implementation and consolidation of the MGD/FFE project, including sharing how the project contributes to the thought leadership of the industry. Represent CRS and serve as the primary point of contact to USDA as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders.
- Ensure the project is implemented to optimize impact and meet all donor expectations and requirements in terms of timely and quality reporting, on track results and compliant and accurate budget management, including strategies for phase out and sustainability.
- Ensure high quality and seamless coordination between programmatic and operational staff. Ensure the CRS MEAL policy and procedures are fully implemented and adhered to.
- Effectively manage senior programming and operations talent. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically develop and tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the recruitment of key senior project staff.
- Manage and mitigate risk through monitoring national and regional issues that may impact staff and programming. Ensure all staff understand and adhere to CRS staff safety and security policies and plans, and ensure the updating of such plans. The COP will also be responsible for ensuring that CRS safeguarding and protection policies are fully enforced and when deviations occur to report and work with the Senior Management Team (SMT) to address and resolve in accordance with CRS policies and procedures.
- Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Ensure compliance with USDA grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to USDA. Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors.
- Oversee the development of communication strategies and materials, complying with donor and CRS’ branding and marketing requirements and procedures.
- Coordinate relationships with consortium partner organizations, including organization of review/planning workshops. Contribute to coordination of the roles and activities of staff from other consortium member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles.
- Create and maintain an ethos that encourage continuous learning and quality improvements. Establish a professional 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.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in international development, International Relations or a relevant technical area. PhD preferred.
- 7 or more years’ relevant management and technical experience.
- 5 years’ experience managing donor funds, including multi country grants. Strong knowledge and experience in budget management.
- 5 years of staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching senior program staff.
Required Languages:
- Fluent English required
- Working ability (oral and written) in French highly desirable.
Travel:
- Must be willing and able to travel up to 30%.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
- Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
- Team leadership abilities.
- Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Recognized leader in sector as demonstrated by peer reviewed publications, conference presentations etc.
- Demonstrated experience of successful program management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics.
- Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
- Ability to represent and present at high levels.
- Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- 5 staff- DCoP, School Feeding Manager, Supply Chain Manager, MEAL Technical Adviser, Grants Accountant.
Key Working Relationships
- Internal: Country Manager, Head of Programming, Head of Operations, Internal Audit, Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality, Regional Technical Advisors.
- External: USDA, Other Donors; UN agencies; Government of The Gambia technical ministries; peer international and local NGOs.
Application instructions
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