Job Title: Program Manager II-Youth Program Manager
Department: Programming
Grade: 10
Reports To: Head of Programming
Country/Location: Rwanda (Kigali)
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. 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 is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.
Job Summary:
You will manage and provide technical advice, guidance, and support to a wide range of program design and implementation issues to Rwanda Country Program (CP) within the youth portfolio in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact and reach of its Youth programming.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of youth programmes (Gera Ku Ntego, Youth for Youth) within the CP youth program throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in the field of Youth that effectively engage other CPs, partners, donors, and governments particularly Caritas Rwanda.
- Advise project team on integrating GoR and other donors’ strategies, priorities, and technical requirements into CRS’ approach to youth programming in Rwanda. Serve as a technical point of contact to the donor as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders, when needed.
- Effectively manage talent and supervise the growing youth program team. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
- Lead the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research, and publications in youth program and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
- Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP youth sector portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP youth strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals in youth program per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
- Contribute to capacity strengthening initiatives in Youth programming for staff and partner through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and workshops, and mentoring and coaching to CP and partners’ staff.
- Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to youth program and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools, and approaches.
- Oversee the knowledge management and learning through collecting and analyzing program data, evaluating strategic projects, assisting with measuring program impact, capturing, and sharing lessons learned and best practices, and research and internal reports.
- Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.
Basic Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in International Development, Project Management or the field of social sciences are required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of youth program management.
- Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.
Required Languages – English and Kinyarwanda required/ French desired.
Travel – You must be willing and able to travel up to 30 %. The position will be based in Kigali CRS Offices.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
- Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
- Good presentation, facilitation, and writing skills.
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
- Knowledge of ICT4D and innovation in youth programming is a plus.
- MEAL skills and experience required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to writing high-quality technical proposals.
- Experience engaging with partner organizations, including government and private sector partners.
- Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
- Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
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: CRS Rwanda Youth Program team
Key Working Relationships:
Internal – CRS Rwanda CP team especially Operations and Finance staff, and CRS Headquarters youth team
External – Donors, partner INGOs and local NGOs, Caritas, GoR entities responsible for youth, private sector partners, and peer agencies.
***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. 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. This position is contingent upon award of the funding opportunity to CRS and the donor’s approval of the proposed candidate.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce.
How to apply
Interested and qualified candidates should complete the attached application form, Self -Declaration Clause and submit them together with one page Cover letter plus updated CV (maximum three pages) all in/as one document – via email only to: RW_HR@crs.org not later than Monday June 03rd, 2024, at 5:00pm.
Please, include below statement in your cover letter:
“By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.”
Also include your full names and title “Youth Program Manager II @ Grade 10” in the subject line. Due to anticipated high interest in this post and the expected number of applicants, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Kigali May 21st, 2024.
Hans Fly
Country Representative
