Job Title:     Project Manager I

Reports to:  Head of Programs

Department: Programming

About CRS 

Catholic Relief Services is United States Based international humanitarian agency. 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.

CRS has been operational in Pakistan since 1954. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through program of emergency response, food security/livelihood, education, and disaster risk reduction (DRR). Currently, CRS is responding to monsoon floods in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. CRS has been working with local national partners to support government led efforts for implementation of 2022 flood response and recovery in Pakistan.

 

Job Summary  

CRS is currently seeking a Program Manager for an 18-month integrated project named "SUSTAIN - Kamangar (Sustainable Settlements Towards Adaptation, Innovation, and Nature)." This project encompasses sectors such as access to basic infrastructures, disaster preparedness and capacity strengthening, and resilient livelihoods, aiming that flood affected communities having safe, resilient, and dignified living in sustainable settlements. The Program Manager will be responsible for overseeing and implementing project activities, providing strategic leadership, and offering technical expertise to partners in improved access to climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure. Responsibilities also include strengthening local authorities' preparedness capacities, improving socio-economic and environmental resilience, and ensuring WASH services meet the humanitarian and recovery needs of the population. Based on lesson learned of CRS’ CLADER programing and Climate Resilient Settlement Development Plan (CRSDP), the PM will lead efforts to establish effective monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) systems, ensuring seamless integration across project activities and adopting people-centered approaches, collaboration with local authorities and relevant stakeholders to ensure comprehensive interventions. Your managerial skills and expertise will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality programming and continuously enhancing the impact of CRS's initiatives. Moreover, you will focus on building the capacity of the country program and partner staff, collaborating closely with them to coordinate the development and implementation of various development interventions.

 

Roles and Key Responsibilities: 

• Manage and implement all activities throughout 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 use the appropriate systems and tools.
• 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.
• Champion learning with project staff and program partner teams. Analyze and evaluate project performance data following MEAL policy. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.
• Integrate appropriate natural resource management and disaster risk reduction strategies into integrated initiatives of the project to improve the community resilience towards future shocks.
• Represent CRS Pakistan in engagements with donors, working groups, UN agencies, relevant actors and stakeholders, and local government and community stakeholders for this project.
• Facilitate the assessment of staff capacity and technical assistance requirements for partner organizations, overseeing capacity strengthening initiatives and necessary interventions to ensure high-quality project implementation.
• Manage and monitor financial and material resources essential for the project, ensuring efficient utilization through strategic planning and oversight.
• Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and disseminate results. Review project documentation to ensure project file is complete with all required documentation and is filled per agency and donor requirements.
• Review and manage implementation procedures, policies, and guidelines.
• Act as a key resource person in project design and proposal development in respective programming area, gap-filling and taking on growth responsibilities, as needed.
• Actively manage the project budget allocated as Budget Manager and support finance in overall financial management. Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
• Coordinate the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for improved access to climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure, strengthen local authorities' preparedness capacity, enhance socio-economic and environmental resilience and WASH program areas for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Help identify, assess, and strengthen partnerships relevant to improved access to climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure, strengthen local authorities' preparedness capacity, enhance socio-economic and environmental resilience and WASH interventions, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Ensure gender equality, social inclusion, and youth empowerment across all interventions, promoting women-led businesses and youth-led sustainable earning initiatives.
• Coordinate and monitor financial and material resources relevant to project needs. Through planning and oversight ensure efficient use of project resource
• Ensure programming is aligned to targets and indicators contained in the project proposal and use the information from the MEAL systems and tools to improve program effectiveness and ensure the program is gender responsive.
• Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and assisting partners in their efforts to collect and analyze project data per specified mechanisms and tools. Collaborate with local partner(s) to prepare reports per established reporting schedule.
• Actively engage CRS staff and partners and proactively network and engagement with relevant private and public institutes, including research institutions and leading businesses and donor community in developing and carrying out program activities.
• Compile the best practices and lessons learned from the project for sharing with SPHF, SHRRP, government officials, and relevant working groups.
• Organize and carryout a stakeholder analysis and development of a power interest matrix to understand stakeholders’ interests, needs, and constraints to inform the scaling vision, approach, and activities, and to ensure that the proposed solution(s) meet the stated need/demand of the scaling entities that we aim to influence (government, SPHF, UN, shelter actors, etc)
• Organize consultation meetings and workshops to foster collaboration, gather feedback, and ensure alignment of project activities with stakeholders' expectations.
• Organizing training sessions /workshops for local authorities and community-based disaster management committees and other stakeholders to enhance their leadership, coordination, and disaster response capabilities.
• Collaborate with district administration to activate District Disaster Management Committees (DDMCs), facilitating coordination, resource mobilization, training, and community engagement to enhance local disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
• Works closely with taluka administrations to strengthen Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Forums at the taluka level, focusing on enhancing coordination, implementing resilience-building measures, and fostering community engagement to mitigate disaster risks effectively.
• Participate in the coordination meetings and sharing information.
• Work closely with SPHF for the implementation of WASH interventions according to agreed standards and procedures through community institutions.
• Ensure social technical support to community institutions for the implementation of WASH initiatives in accordance with SPHF guidelines and specifications.
• Engage stakeholders for the establishment of financial mechanisms and partnerships to enhance disaster risk financing.
• Develop strategies to integrate green solutions into livelihood support programs, ensuring sustainability and environmental resilience.
• Organize and oversee training sessions on livelihood skills, entrepreneurship, and green technologies for targeted households and entrepreneurs.
• Provide technical assistance and support to ensure successful adoption and application of new skills and technologies.
• Foster partnerships and collaboration with educational institutions, vocational training centers, and relevant organizations to enhance local capacities.
• Monitor external factors (economic, political, environmental) that may impact project implementation and adapt strategies accordingly.
• Develop and disseminate a guidebook on disaster-resilient construction techniques and sustainable operation & maintenance (O&M) plans.

 

Basic Qualifications 

• BSc in Civil Engineering or equivalent qualifications from a reputable University – is required. Master’s degree in social science or a related field required would be a plus.
• Minimum of five years relevant field-based experience in implementation and or management role with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO and UN agencies.
• Previous experience providing technical assistance and developing technical successful proposals for external donor funding is required.
• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training applying adult learning principles and practices.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including applying data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Autocade, Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.

 

Required Languages - English required. Sindhi spoken, is preferable.

 

Travel – The position will be based in Meher/Dadu and must be willing and able to travel to Karachi and Islamabad where applicable. 

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Excellent 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.
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant grant management experience, especially for UGS or other public donors, a plus.
• Staff supervision experience
• Experience working with stakeholders at various level and strengthening community partnerships.
• Ability to contribute to the development of technical proposal, a plus.
• Experience analyzing data and contributing to evaluation reports.
• Experience using MS Windows, and MS office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

 

Agency REDI 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:

• Sr. Project Officer
• Project Officer
• Senior Engineer/TA

 

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: Country Manager, HOP, HoOP, National Coordinator, H&C team, Project Managers, HR and Finance, CRS Pakistan Teams, CRS HRD/EMECA Staff.

 

External:  Local Partner, SPHF, INGOs, SCP2 team; peer organizations (international and national); Academia, relevant Government departments/entities and Working Groups

 

*** 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.

 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

*Note: Interested candidates may also send their updated CV at [email protected] by mentioning the position in the subject line.