Future Social Cohesion and Positive Youth Development Program Manager I, Erbil Iraq - IQ Talent Marketplace

Job Title: Shared Future Social Cohesion and Positive Youth Development Program Manager I Reports to: Shared Future Project Director

Department: Programs Salary Grade: 9

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. CRS Iraq is supporting conflict-affected people to live in dignity through the provision educational and psychosocial (PSS) support for children, livelihoods support and social cohesion interventions.

About Shared Future

Enabling Durable Solutions for a Cohesive and Diverse Kirkuk and Ninewa Plains, or by its shorter name Shared Future, is a 7.25-year project launched in June 2018. In Phase I and II, the project implemented social cohesion and livelihoods programing, to support families returning to the Ninewa Plains with durable solutions, after years of displacement caused by the rise and fall of the Islamic State (IS). In Phase III, Shared Future expanded geographically into Kirkuk to support youth livelihoods. The third phase of the project also emphasizes a positive youth development approach in both Ninewa and Kirkuk, engaging emerging adults and late adolescents (14- 17s), to expand reach to younger youth. This approach seeks to create an environment where youth can achieve their full potential and contribute to the development of their communities and, in turn, durable solutions.

Job Summary

The PM will manage implementation of the positive youth development (PYD) component as well as the overall integration of social cohesion for the USAID-funded Shared Future project. The PM’s project management skills, knowledge of social cohesion and PYD approaches, and understanding of the context will ensure that the Iraq Country Program delivers high-quality programming in the project locations. The PM will directly oversee and manage the project’s PYD team, supervising national CRS staff and supporting national staff of Caritas Iraq, while working closely with other project consortium members and collaborating partners and local stakeholders.

Roles And Key Responsibilities

• Manage and implement all PYD and social cohesion activities throughout the project cycle – 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 and partner staff use the appropriate systems and tools.
• Maintain and strengthen partnerships with local and international partners to ensure high quality implementation, applying appropriate partnership concepts, tools, and approaches.
• Ensure a high level of collaboration and coordination with project consortium members and collaborating partners (Caritas Iraq and Iraqi Al-Amal Association) as well as other NGOs, government, and UN agencies implementing peacebuilding programming in Iraq.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise staff. 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 partner teams. Analyze and evaluate project performance data following MEAL policies and procedures. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.
• 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.
• Oversee the timely preparation of high-quality donor reports, quarterly performance indicator tracking tables, baseline and final evaluation reports, as well as other reports as needed/required by the local government, donors, the region or headquarters.
• Identify staff capacity and technical assistance needs of partner organizations as well as capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation. Provide needed technical assistance and training to staff and partner organizations.
• Coordinate and monitor financial and material resources relevant to project needs. Through planning and oversight, ensure efficient use of project resources in line with USG rules and regulations. Ensure the review and timely submission of financial reports.

Required Languages – Fluent English is required; Arabic is a plus.

Travel – The position is based in Erbil, with 30% travel to project sites in Iraq,primarily in Ninewa and Kirkuk governorates. Regional and international travel for training, as needed.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Excellent organization, planning and analytical skills; detail oriented
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations or Peacebuilding required. Significant experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing light to moderately complex projects required with an international NGO.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 1 year of supervisory experience.
• Project management experience in peacebuilding and USG-funded projects is highly desirable.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations.
• MEAL skills and experience preferred.
• Prior experience working in Europe/Middle East/Central Asia (EMECA) region, preferred.
• Excellent report writing and data analytical skills.
• Excellent knowledge and experience in budget management and project management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Publisher, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.

Supervisory Responsibilities: PYDProject Manager and Social Cohesion Project Officer(s)

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Shared Future Project Director;Head of Programming; MEAL Program Manager, Senior Project Officer and Project Officers; Shared Future Project Manager; Shared Future Livelihoods Program Manager; Procurement and Finance staff.

External: Project partners includingCaritas Iraq and Iraqi Al-Amal Association; other operational partners and colleague organizations; local government; UN agencies and relevant sector leads.

Agency-wide 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.
• 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.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer