Program Manager II/Head of Office

Requisition Number:                        I 10 054

Job Summary: Effective FY11, the Mexico program will become an outreach program of CRS/Guatemala. The outgoing Country Manager, who has been based in Tucson, Arizona, will be replaced by a Head of Office (HOO), to be based in Mexico City.

The HOO will be expected to continue providing leadership to a global solidarity program in Mexico focused on:

1.     contributing to the policy debates and agendas around strategic bi-national issues related to migration and development, violence and human rights throughout Mexico,

2.     supervising the design and implementation of innovative cross-border programming and models (including fair trade strategies, farm worker/labor initiatives, and transnational migration/development efforts) to inform and support policy change,

3.     supervising private foundation and USG grants in agriculture, labor rights, and violence against women in both southern and northern Mexico,

4.     identifying and developing opportunities for documentation of best practices and academic studies which highlight CRS and partner contributions on policy and practice around these issues, and

5.     identifying and pursuing fundraising opportunities directly related to these strategic priorities for Mexico.

In all of these areas, engagement and dialogue with the Mexican Church will be paramount, although the HOO will not have formal representational duties in Mexico. Representation will be provided by the CRS/Guatemala CR.

Primary Function: The position is responsible for overall leadership and management of CRS operations in Mexico, consistent with agency policies and procedures and the LACRO regional strategy. The HOO will provide strategic direction to the program to ensure high quality programming in Mexico, with an emphasis on rural development programs in southern Mexico, which contributes directly to creating models for change and influencing policy on a bi-national level The HOO will supervise approximately six national staff and technical consultants as needed, will foster program integration and synergies between Mexico and Central America programming, will ensure that strong partner relationships are maintained, and will be responsible for overseeing and ensuring quality programming and financial management of CRS/Mexico programs. The HOO will participate actively in regional initiatives and working groups, particularly around issues of migration and economic integration/globalization. The position will report to the CRS/Guatemala Country Representative.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Lead and oversee all CRS/Mexico programmatic activities, ensuring that these continue to respond creatively to the unique bi-national context and global solidarity focus of the program. CRS/Mexico has a FY2010 program value of approximately $1.8 million, with U.S. foundation funding as its primary source of external funding. Grant proposals are also pending with the Department of State (DOS) Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and the DOS Global Trafficking in Persons unit.

2. Promote and support a strong program team which fosters innovation in programming, a commitment to justice and systemic change, and strong capacities in DME and program quality. The latter will be reinforced through additional supervision and support of the national program managers by regional technical staff.

3. Identify and lead implementation of innovative cross-border programming, including fair-trade strategies, farm worker/labor initiatives, and transnational migration/development efforts, through partnerships with Mexican and U.S. Church partners wherever possible.

4. Provide strong leadership and oversight of privately funded and USG grants to ensure high quality programming, financial management, and compliance with donor priorities and requirements.

5. Seek opportunities for documentation of best practices, academic studies, and contribution to policy debates from Mexico programming, in close coordination with the OSD Strategic Issues Advisor.

6. Manage continued growth of CRS/Mexico program while ensuring an ongoing commitment to high levels of program quality and financial management.

7. Coordinate the management of CRS/Mexico program and administrative budgets with CRS/Guatemala financial team.

8. Identify and lead implementation of partner capacity building strategies, particularly in local fundraising/sustainability, DME, agro-enterprise and marketing, and human trafficking/violence against women

9. Engage in policy debates on immigration reform, economic integration/globalization, and Mexico human rights/drug policy with Mexican and U.S. Church and civil society partners.

10. Supervise staff and consultants, including coaching and professional development, performance management and reviews; oversee hiring and training of new staff and/or consultants.

11. Ensure program quality through participation in project review systems, implementation of M&E systems, and staff/partner development and by promoting synergies and cross-learning opportunities with regional staff and initiatives.

12. Remain current on political, economic and social developments in Mexico and throughout Latin America which may have an impact on programming and/or partners in Mexico.

Supervisory Responsibilities: • Six national staff; numerous consultants in the U.S. and Mexico.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Frequent contact with Regional Director and the CRS/GT CR & Head of Finance, other CRs and Heads of Office, LACRO regional staff, Strategic Issues Advisor, OSD; US Ops Regional Offices, HQ-Based Regional Representatives for LACRO, HQ Finance staff

External: Frequent contact with U.S-based donors, possibly USDOS and others, Caritas Mexicana/CEPS (Social Pastoral Commission), Mexican and U.S. Catholic Church leaders, local partner organizations in Mexico, U.S.-based strategic allies and cross-border organizations, USCCB staff, international and Mexican NGOs, and other civil society actors.

Qualifications:

1. 2-4 years of progressive management experience in a developing country environment with CRS or a similar organization, preferably managing multi-sectoral and multi-partner programming around issues of systemic injustice, social change, and development.

2. Graduate degree in international development/relations, public administration, business administration, or related fields or equivalent work experience.

3. Well versed in policy issues around U.S.-Mexico relations, specifically U.S.-Mexico border, immigration and trade policies; familiarity with U.S.-based advocacy and civil society networks around immigration, international human rights, and trade.

4. Strong knowledge of and familiarity with U.S. and Latin American Church structures, culture, and values

5. USG (USDOS/USAID) grant management experience

6. Strong financial management skills

7. Strong public speaking and writing skills.

8. Strong knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching on migration and economic justice

9. Demonstrated leadership, management and supervisory skills.

10. Strong inter-personal skills.

11. Demonstrated ability to handle multiple demanding priorities and good time-management.

12. Demonstrated success in program development, proposal writing, budget management and fundraising.

13. Knowledge of CRS operations, policies and procedures.

14. Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

Physical Requirements/Environment:

1. Normal office environment.

2. This post is based in Mexico City.

Travel will be primarily to the northern and southern border regions of Mexico and to activities and events in the United States as well as travel to Guatemala and in the region, as appropriate.. Travel to involve 30 to 40% of time.

Foreign Language Required: Fluent in English and Spanish (verbal and written).

Major Responsibilities of Position: Administration, Program Design, Finance, Monitoring/Evaluation, Mentoring/Training, Supervision and Report Writing

EOE/M/F/D/V

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