Country: Canada
Closing date: 30 Nov 2017
Do you want to make a difference? Join the world’s largest humanitarian network. The Canadian Red Cross Society, a not for profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to helping the most vulnerable in Canada and throughout the world, is currently seeking a Program Manager, Capacity Building for Emergency Response.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Capacity Building for Emergency Response in the Americas Program (CERA) and the Capacity Strengthening for Emergency Response in Africa (SERA) are two five-year programs that commenced in 2014, co-funded by the Canadian Government and the Canadian Red Cross, to strengthen the emergency preparedness and response capacity of nine Red Cross/Crescents National Societies (NS) : Nicaragua, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Haiti, Mali, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo. By overseeing and guiding available human and financial resources, the Program Manager is responsible to help these national societies transform the way they respond to emergencies.
Under the supervision and guidance of CRC’s Heads of Region for Americas and Africa, the Program Manager will work in coordination with Field Representatives, Field Managers and Advisors, and provide the leadership and oversight to ensure effective program planning, budgeting, implementation, coordination, monitoring, reporting, program information management, and communications to achieve the expected program results. Approximately about 50 % of efforts will be spent on each region.
Program Management Leadership
Supervise and manage the two Project Officers based in Ottawa
Ensure the programs are implemented in accordance with CRC’s Contribution Agreements with Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Project Implementation Plans and CRC’s internal requirements.
Ensure program management is informed and guided by CRC’s approach to Disaster Response Capacity Evaluation (DRCE)
Identify lessons learned and best practices from the programs and other similar capacity building programs and promote their application in the programs
Promote the integration of beneficiary accountability, gender equity programming, and violence prevention with NS, the IFRC and other implementing partners
Program Planning and Budgeting
Ensure effective and required program planning and budgeting processes and mechanisms are in place for the program
Ensure program planning and budgeting compliance with CRC’s Contribution Agreements with GAC, the Project Implementation Plans and CRC’s internal requirements.
Prepare the Annual Work Plans and Annual Operational Plans and Budgets as required for GAC and CRC, with the support and inputs from field and Ottawa based staff and advisors
Guide and support the country level plans and budgets, as needed
Oversee the preparation of legal agreements with NSs and IFRC as needed
Oversee the development of the Program’s sustainability plan and exit strategy
Coordination
Ensure effective and required coordination and clear communications are maintained within CERA/SERA teams and with respective program stakeholders (notably as SERA/CERA focal point for GAC)
Ensure regular communications among CERA/SERA program teams at NO and with field staff
Liaise with CRC program staff and advisors in Ottawa for Disaster Management, Organizational Development, Gender, Violence Prevention, Reporting and PMER technical support in all elements of program planning, reporting and implementation
Participate in CRC’s SP Coordination meetings as Pillar 2 representative
Monitoring and Evaluation
Ensure effective and required monitoring and evaluation processes and mechanisms are in place for the programs in line with Results Based Management (RBM)
Monitor and review program progress, assess constraints and propose corrective action, ensuring early warning of risks to the Heads of Region (Americas and Africa)
Manage the program’s Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) ensuring the collection of quantitative and qualitative data and information for key outcomes and performance indicators (KPIs)
Monitor and revise the programs’ risk matrix regularly
Conduct monitoring field visits to NSs, as needed
Monitor the programs’ performance to budget on a quarterly basis.
Reporting and Program Information Management
Ensure program reporting compliance with CRC’s Contribution Agreements with Global Affairs Canada, the Project Implementation Plans and CRC’s internal requirements
Review field office, NS and IFRC financial reports and fund transfer requests and recommend approvals
Coordinate preparation of narrative and financial Program Reports as required for Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and CRC
Prepare activity and mission reports for Heads of Region, as requested
Ensure accuracy of programs’ information for CRC’s Project Information Management System (PIMS), including the classification, organization and storage of key program documents
Communications
Ensure communication compliance with CRC’s Contribution Agreements with Global Affairs Canada, the Project Implementation Plans, and CRC’s requirements.
Oversee the implementation of CRC’s annual communication strategy for the programs
Promote and oversee the dissemination of program information, including successes, case studies, sector specific analyses, lessons learned, and best practices, including the preparation of a program newsletter.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
University degree in management and/or administration, social sciences or related fields
Relevant post graduate degree or MBA, project management certification an asset
5 years of senior project management experience
Experience of working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent an asset
5 years of working experience in international humanitarian assistance and/or development
Demonstrated experience in each of the following areas: project/program planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and coordination
Experience in managing and coaching people including distance management
Experience working in capacity building and/or organizational development an asset
Experience working in the Americas and/or Africa regions
Experience in budget management and financial reporting
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Solid understanding of Results Based Management and tools
Budgeting and financial skills
Team leadership and Team Building skills
Knowledge and understanding of approaches to capacity building, organizational development and intuitional strengthening
Demonstrated skill in analytical and strategic thinking.
Ability to work in a multicultural environment
Good communication, negotiation and presentation skills
Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and manage different task at the same time
Good communication, negotiation and presentation skills
Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and manage different task at the same time
Politically and culturally sensitive
Available to travel to other countries
Fluency in written and spoken English and French is mandatory, Spanish an asset
WORKING CONDITIONS
The majority of the work is performed in a clean and comfortable environment
May include long to moderate hours sitting and using computers and office equipment
May be required to some light lifting of supplies and materials from time to time up to 20kg (or another weight)
Ability to work non-traditional hours on short notice
Ability to work in stressful and often ambiguous conditions
Must be already eligible to work in Canada.
Travel Requirements
This position may require domestic or overseas travel to attend conferences, workshops and meetings as required
If required, and eligible, periodic travel to country operations may be required (approximately 4-6 trips per year). Field missions can involve working in environments that are unstable and with unpredictable access to basic services in emergency contexts and requiring very strict adherence to security regulations
Must be able to be Medical Cleared for travel in accordance with established CRC Medical criteria in positions where travel will be required.
Please note that there is no relocation package for this position.
This position requires a successful Canadian criminal record, vulnerable sector and reference check.
The Canadian Red Cross Society is an equal opportunity employer.
How to apply:
Interested parties may submit their application by applying on the Canadian Red Cross Online Career Website by midnight EST on November 30, 2017.