Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Chief of Party II – Agriculture Job Vacancy in Nigeria

Job Title: Chief of
Party II – Agriculture

Requisition Number: I1037

Area of Interest: Agriculture

Position Type: Full Time

Location:
Nigeria/Abuja

Job Description:

This position is contingent upon approval of donor
funding.

Background

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international
non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99
countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need,
regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church
and non-church partners to implement its programs. Therefore, strengthening and
building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to our
approach in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established its
presence in Nigeria in 2000 and currently focuses on agriculture, governance,
peacebuilding and Health/HIV programming.

Job Summary

CRS/Nigeria is seeking a Chief of Party II (CoP) in
anticipation of a multi-year, $30 million pro-poor agriculture and livelihoods
program funded by USAID. The CoP will be responsible for overall management of
the program; will provide strategic, technical and operational leadership to
develop and implement a successful program; and will represent the program to
USAID and the Government of Nigeria on behalf of CRS/Nigeria. The CoP will
report to the Head of Programs and will maintain close liaison with relevant
Regional Technical Advisors and the CRS All Africa Agriculture Team. The CoP
will ensure adherence to CRS technical and program quality standards in
implementation and the timely submission of all required deliverables to USAID.

Job Responsibilities:

A. Program Quality:

COP will ensure program’s strategic objectives
and results are fully accomplished and meet expected technical quality
standards.
Ensure that vision and plans for the program
are innovative and are in line with CRS agency and country program strategies.
Oversee periodic technical reviews and manage
changes in program direction and focus.
COP will provide guidance and technical
oversight to partners and other collaborating agencies to ensure that
lessons of sound practice are documented and disseminated.
Oversee program’s monitoring and evaluation
system, using data analysis as the basis for measuring performance. Ensure
that M&E learning is incorporated into evolving program plans.
Collaborate with Regional and Headquarters technical staff to identify and
implement appropriate ICT4D solutions to improve timeliness and quality of
M&E and project implementation.
Ensure integration of program interventions
with other CRS programs or through linkages with other service providers.
Ensure effective gender-mainstreaming in both
programming and management aspects of implementation.
With program staff, ensure the delivery of
quality training, technical assistance and administrative and financial
support to all partner agencies, including the selection and coordination
of consultants.
Collaborate with the All Africa Agricultural
Team, the Food Security Unit and relevant Regional Technical Advisors to
promote sharing of learning and identify relevant innovations.

B. Management and Administration:

Manage program budgets, including tracking of
financial and material resources.
Ensure accurate and timely management of
program budget and tracking of financial and material resources.
Ensure accurate and timely reporting of
program finances and progress status; review actual financial performance
against the budget, and explain variances on a regular basis.
Ensure staff compliance with all CRS
administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as
applicable donor regulations.
Approve program expenditures, budget
adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors.

C. Representation and Advocacy:

In collaboration with CRS/Nigeria Country
Representative (CR), act as primary program contact to donor and other
local and international stakeholders, responsible for addressing all
program matters.
In collaboration with CR and Head of Programs,
strengthen linkages with existing and potential partner agencies.
In collaboration with Head of Programs,
oversee program communication strategies, including compliance with
donor’s branding and marketing requirements, as well as CRS marketing and
communication procedures.

D. Human Resource Management:

Lead, manage and supervise a team of technical
experts, CRS/NG and consortium staff to meet program objectives.
Conduct periodic reviews of staff performance
in keeping with CRS’ performance management system and mentor staff to
ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork.
Manage recruitment portfolio for the program,
in collaboration with Human Resources and CRS country program management,
to ensure optimum service delivery through recruitment of competent and
qualified staff.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Technical team, consortium staff.

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 the desired results.

Serves with Integrity
Models Stewardship
Cultivates Constructive Relationships
Promotes Learning

Qualifications and Skills:

Advance degree in agriculture, agricultural
economics, economics, business, or a related field.
Minimum 15 years of international development
experience managing and implementing multi-faceted agricultural
development programs in developing countries. Livelihoods, MYAP, food
security or related experience also acceptable.
Previous COP experience highly preferred.
Minimum 10 years managing large and complex
USG-funded programs required. USAID experience preferred; at least 4 years
in a field based position.
An in depth understanding of the pro-poor
value chains in Nigerian context, and experience managing value chain
projects addressing the vulnerable households.
Demonstrated success in designing and
introducing activities that transfer appropriate technologies.
Experience with participatory methods and
partnerships required. Demonstrated capacity and experience with
institutional strengthening of local civil society and government
agencies.
Knowledge of key USG regulations including,
but not limited to USAID 22 CF Part 226 Administration of Assistance
Awards to U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations, 22 CFR Part 145 Grants and
Agreements with Non-Profits, OMB Circulars A-122, Cost principles for
non-profit organizations and A-133 Audit of states, local governments, and
non-profits preferred.
Proven leadership and inter-personal skills
and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams.
Proven experience in building and maintaining
institutional linkages required.
Demonstrated commitment to improving gender
equality and gender responsiveness in programming and operations.
Cultural sensitivity, patience and
flexibility.
Demonstrated personal accountability and
driven to serve others.
Understanding of and experience with
faith-based organizations, local church structures, and accompaniment and
capacity-building principles in local partnerships highly desired.
Ability to travel nationally and
internationally as required.
Excellent English language oral and written
communication skills required.
Nigerian nationals encouraged to apply.