Job Vacancy at Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for Program Manager II – Municipal Waste Management

Job Type: Full Time, Short Term until end September 2021

Job Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Reports to: Program Director Urban Resilience

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.

Catholic Relief Service (CRS) launched its work in Sierra Leone in 1963 supporting relief and development operations in the country. CRS Sierra Leone has proudly maintained a strong reputation and relationship with partners and the communities we serve in the country implementing a multi-sector program portfolio. Today, the Country Program has a robust portfolio built around several major programs in Health, Agriculture, Nutrition, Education and Urban Resilience. CRS Sierra Leone has its main office in Freetown and northern region field office in Kabala. CRS has a long history of responding to emergencies in Sierra Leone dating to the time of the civil war. CRS responded to the Ebola outbreak as well the mudslides in 2017. CRS implemented the START Fund emergency response to flooding in Freetown between July and September 2019.

As part of its urban resilience portfolio, CRS is currently implementing the FCDO-funded Improved Solid Waste System (ISWASTE) project in Freetown. Launched in 2019, the project aims to establish and operate seven waste transfer stations across Freetown, thereby laying the foundation for a functional solid waste management system. Leveraging its experience on ISWASTE, CRS i s also looking to expand its Municipal Waste Management programming in Sierra Leone.

Job Summary:
You will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the Country Program (CP) Municipal Waste Management programming, particularly for large and complex projects, ensuring effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving 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 of its Municipal Waste Management programming.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:
* Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of all new and existing projects within the CP Municipal Waste Management 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.
* Effectively manage talent for ISWASTE and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.

* Manage the ISWASTE consortium which includes up to two INGO partners
* Work with CRS Finance teams at HQ, regional, and country levels to ensure that FCDO’s financial reporting requirements are met and project budget implementation is on track. Work with grant manager to ensure that monthly forecasting reports are kept up to date and submitted on time.
* Lead the development of program learning - identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in the area of Municipal Waste Management 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 Municipal Waste Management sector portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP Urban Resilience strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals in Municipal Waste Management per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
* Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in Municipal Waste Management for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
* Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to Municipal Waste Management and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
* 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, International Relations or in the field of Environmental Management 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 Municipal Waste Management,
* Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.

Required Languages – Fluency in English required, Krio desired

Travel - 60% in the Western Area District, and up to 10% international travel as required

Preferred Qualifications
* Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
* Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
* Experience engaging with partner organizations
* MEAL skills and experience required.
* 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities: ISWASTE staff as required

Key Working Relationships:
* Internal Program Director – Urban Resilience, Head of Programming, Country Representative
* External Freetown City Council, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Community Authorities and Members, Municipal Waste Management service providers, other INGO partners

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.