Program Manager - Education Full-time Job

Job Summary:

As Program Manager for Education, you will be responsible for managing and coordinating activities of the education program to ensure effective implementation of project activities in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and local regulations to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable.

You will be a lead contributor for program development in education while working closely with technical experts. You will serve as the education technical expert on proposals, and as necessary represent CRS to donors and the education sector working groups. As required you will also supervise and mentor staff, developing them through on-the-job training, coaching, accompaniment, and formal training.

Job Responsibilities:

Provide technical guidance and oversight throughout the project cycle – start-up, implementation, and close-out – to ensure project aligns with CRS quality standards and local regulations.

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 new staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.

Contribute to development of programmatic strategic documents (i.e., strategies) that guide Country Program programming.

Collaborate with the project team and partners in project design by contributing to the development of Theory of Change (ToC) and the writing of project narrative documents (proposals), including design of project results frameworks and selection of appropriate indicators. Support and assist in operational start-up of new awards and effective implementation of activities at state, LGA and community levels

Support technical expert(s) in the design and development of high-quality technical assistance and trainings

Support design, conduct/manage surveys, and routine data quality assurance.

Effectively work as member of PM team, as required lead aspects of grants/program cycle, e.g. coordinate the start-up and closeout processes of relevant grants in compliance with agency and donor regulations

In coordination with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) and Finance staff, support activities throughout the project cycle to collect and analyze project data (e.g., for monitoring, evaluation and learning) including the tracking of progress against set targets; Support project staff, implementing partners to adhere to project and data quality standards and promote their use for program improvements through reflection and adaptation; contribute to program-quality standards.

Develop and support documentation of promising practices in specific intervention areas, identifying best practice models for specific technical assistance to the community and local implementing partners to enable learning, contribute to a knowledge sharing system, and promote sustainability

Manage financial resources, track program income, and support timely development and management of program budgets that contribute to delivery of high-quality results.

Contribute to timely dissemination of program learning through program learning meetings, program exchange visits, dissemination meetings.

Build strong working relationship with internal CRS departments, key staff (program operations, M&E/finance, logistics, grants etc.) at CRS Country Office to contribute to effectiveness in management and accountability.

Establish linkages/working relationship with partner agencies; represent CRS, as needed at local and sector for coordination

Maintain relationships with partners, local government and/or NGOs/ CBOs/ youth to promote integration among technical areas. Participate at State, Local and ward Level technical review meetings for program. Follow government rules and regulations relating to the social, political and economical status in assigned geographical locations, especially in sector

Help identify, assess, and strengthen partnerships, applying appropriate application of partnership principles, tools and approaches

Ensure partner project implementation is compliant with donor requirements.

Promote integration and synergies among the program, relevant initiatives, projects and stakeholders

Ensure all partner training is fully developed in accordance with all approved national, regional, or international standard training guidelines and are aligned to current/best proven evidence and approaches.

Participate actively as PM Team members to analyze current needs and assets, formulate concept notes and support business development for related area/project for country programming

Pro-actively develop external partnership, building collaborative opportunities on related aspects/expertise area.

Maintain communications regarding CRS and the CRS sector and other relevant external actors.

Act as first or second responder as required on specific area/intervention or overall country response program for initial implementation, assessments or program developments of programs and intervention models

Ensure safety and security and incident reporting in coordination with designated local incident reporters. Monitor risks, including the implementation of risk management and mitigation activities. Share concerns and mitigation steps for decision making process

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 desired results:

Integrity

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

Builds Relationships

Develops Talent

Strategic Mindset

Accountability & Stewardship

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.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Education required; Master’s Degree preferred

At least 3-5 years of work experience in project management, ideally in the field of education. Experience in managing donor funded projects is strongly preferred.

Experience in the sector of Education and Technical assistance. Strong written and verbal communications and interpersonal skills in English with ability to draft technical proposals, write analytical and problem-solving narratives and make effective communications. Experience of developing and managing education implementation budgets preferred

Required/Desired Skills:

Ability to lead collaborative and reciprocal relationships.

In-depth appreciation of education theories of change and approaches, sector and strategies for promoting education development at both primary and secondary levels. Evidence of contribution of innovative technical inputs on program

Solid project management skills related to education project activities. Capacity to establish networks to enable/drive innovative approaches at both Primary/ Secondary/TVET levels for better program implementations.

Sound understanding of Education challenges including innovative development methodologies, models for the project success as related sector/subject domain. Excellent writing and conceptual development/analytic skills in areas of subject domains.

Able to lead diverse actors from country, partner etc and work across them effectively; Ability to facilitate multi sectoral/ disciplinary teamwork; Facilitate problem solving and solution; and bring in integration. In particular work for integration of the various related subjects that support children development and resilience such as psycho-social care, education in emergency, literacy for transition and children’s personal empowerment, development etc..

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment

Good relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders

Good knowledge of program management principles

Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

Attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Catholic Relief Services 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.