Program Manager I - Basic Needs & Services, Afghanistan

• Manage and implement all 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 use the appropriate systems and tools.
• Identify and manage key project risks, in collaboration with CRS' operations departments.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff wellbeing. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Coordinate the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs of both CRS staff and partner/peer organizations, and lead capacity strengthening interventions to support staff growth and quality project implementation.
• Champion learning with project staff and partner teams. Analyze and evaluate project performance data following MEAL policy. 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 of basic needs and services programming. This may include leading design workshops, writing proposals and supporting documents, and leading or supporting budget development. Champion thought work related to systems thinking and influence strategies as they pertain to strengthening learning outcomes and wellbeing in Afghanistan, and provide thought leadership to CRS' programmatic strategy in Afghanistan.
• Help identify, assess, manage and strengthen partnerships relevant to basic needs and services programming, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Coordinate and monitor financial and material resources relevant to project needs. Provide strong planning and oversight to ensure efficient use of project resources, including financial management and reporting in line with donor and prime requirements.
• Lead reporting processes for assigned projects, ensuring that high-quality reports and other donor deliverables are compiled as per donor requirements and are shared by the deadline.
• Lead project registration processes and serve as a programmatic focal point to ensure coordination of planning and implementation with the relevant sectoral and line Ministries.
• Promote CRS' Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct and Ethics, ensuring that team members are trained and implementing programming with a Do No Harm approach.

• Basic Qualifications
• Master's Degree in International Development, Education, Social Work, or in a related field required. Additional 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, preferably with an international NGO and preferably in the field of education and/or psycho-social support.
• Demonstrated experience in team supervision and capacity strengthening.
• Experience working with and managing partnerships, ideally with local partners.

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
• Strong supervision and team management skills, with an ability to create a psychologically safe environment for staff growth.
• Demonstrated financial management skills.

• Project management experience in education services delivery and/or (MH) PSS is highly desirable, especially through integrated approaches.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations, especially managing sub-recipients.
• Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.
• MEAL skills and experience preferred.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

• 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.

• 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.

Catholic Relief Services