Program Manager II – Climate Change Adaption and Livestock at Catholic Relief

Job Summary

The Program Manager (Sector Lead)– Climate Change adaption and Livestock will provide overall leadership in the management of all Climate Change adaption and Livestock projects in the Country Program. He/she will also work closely with the Business Development specialist to seek and respond to Sectorial-related fundraising opportunities aimed at increasing access to sustainable health services for the poor and vulnerable communities in Kenya. Additionally, the Program Manager – Climate Change adaption and Livestock will manage Climate Change adaptation related partnerships with church and non-Church partners, private sector partners, Donors, and Government line ministries to build synergies and promote coordination in health programming. S/he will model and ensure strong talent management grounded in a culture of diversity, inclusion, mutual respect, and accountability.  

Job Responsibilities

• Lead high-quality project design incorporating project management standards and MEAL methods, appropriate to scope, context and technical requirements of projects.
• Work with project managers to manage and implement all activities throughout relevant project cycles - project design, start-up, implementation and close-out - to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with CRS program quality principles and standards donor requirements, and good practices. Ensure project team and partner staff use the appropriate systems and tools.
• Champion the rollout and use of the new PQ Standards (COMPASS), in CP and routine learning events to share best practices and capture lessons learned across programs.
• Promote MEAL and knowledge management by leading program/project reviews and reflections with staff and partner representatives and documentation of good practices and lessons learned for assessments, to adjust strategies and implementation plans, to inform future programming initiatives and approaches, and to contribute to organizational learning. 
• Ensure strong collaboration with the CP Operations team to enhance and improve systems and processes, and coordination with CP. 
• Ensure each Budget Manager develops, monitors and review project budgets spending based on CRS financial monitoring tools and that budget forecast are accurately done in the system. 
• Work with the HOP and Business Development specialist to leverage capture planning, learning, marketing and communication strategies, business practices, and networks required to access new and diversified funding.
• Work with the CP to explore non-traditional donors, new sources of funding and new partnerships to diversify funding sources to align with shifting funding models and priorities.
• Work with EARO and request for guidance and strategic inputs for the development and implementation of a sector-specific donor engagement strategy to strengthen CP’s positioning with current and prospective donors.
• Act as a key resource person in project design and proposal development in Climate Change adaptation and livestock programming area, gap-filling and taking on growth responsibilities, as needed.
• Coordinate and plan donor engagement meetings with key donors for funding and understand their priorities including following donor trends through intelligence gathering and share back with CRS team. 
• Effectively manage talent and supervise the climate change adaption and Livestock teams. 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.
• Ensure that Program staff team pro-actively utilizes the CRS Performance Management System, aligning individual performance plans to program/unit goals, providing meaningful and timely feedback, making distinctions in ratings and awards.
• Ensure technical assistance and capacity strengthening for project teams and partners in project management standards and related MEAL, business development and operational activities.
• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of appropriate partnerships, including an inclusive and comprehensive network of government and private sector partners.
• Prioritize the advancement of partner strengthening efforts in the CP. Working closely with PSC manager to identify potential partners both church and non-church to advance their capacities. 
• Support the documentation and sharing of learning from existing programs, including evaluation of HOCAI and SRFMP tool, and integrated monitoring for measuring PCS progress.
• Participate in national forums, technical working groups (TWGs), meetings for the current projects and CRS focus areas.
• Support program team and relevant partner staff to participate in county level and sub-county level forums, TWGs, meetings for current project and CRS focus area.
• Support the development and implementation of service level agreements and/or MOUs with the relevant government departments and ministries both at the national and county level. 

Personal Skills and Abilities

• Diplomacy, tact, and negotiating skills.
• Training/coaching skills;
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills;
• Ability to work independently, think innovatively and strategically, and work effectively within a team;
• Demonstrate high levels of initiative, flexibility and innovation;
• Ability to work under pressure and deadlines
• Understanding of development/relief issues
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and action; 
• Strong financial/budget management skills required.
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity and inclusion including gender equality.

Required/Desired Foreign Language: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Required Travel: 30% field travel.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Project Managers, Senior Project Officers, Project Officers

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Head of Programs, Sector Leads, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning department, Business Development Manager, Other Program Managers, EARO Livelihood Technical Advisor, PSE Technical Advisor, CRS’ Operations departments.

External: Ministry of Agriculture &Livestock Development, State Department for the ASALs & Regional Development, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, National Climate Change Secretariat & Climate Change Directorate, National Drought Management Authority and County governments; CRS’s church and non-church partners, Private sector partners, Other INGOs, NGOs, and CBOs implementing climate change projects or as members of climate change coordination forums.

QUALIFICATIONS

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements

Education and Experience

• Master's Degree in resilience, climate change adaptation, natural resource management, or related field, required.
• Minimum of six years relevant working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with a minimum of three years working for programming interventions in climate change adaptation and livelihoods. 
• Previous experience providing technical assistance and developing successful proposals for external donor funding is required. Experience with donors including USAID, the EU, German Government, Green Climate Fund, and various UN agencies preferred.
• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts climate change adaptation and livelihoods. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.
• A broad grasp of socioeconomic policy issues with respect to climate Change and Livestock in both rural and urban settings.
• Good understanding and experience of gender and diversity issues and commitment to addressing inequalities in all the key areas of responsibility.