Job Description
Requisition Number:
I1087
Area of Interest:
Emergency
Position Type:
Full Time
Location:
Mali/Bamako
Job Description:
Job Background/Summary:
On March 21, 2012, soldiers from the Malian army, upset by the perceived impotent government campaign against rebels in the North, staged a spontaneous coup d’état, taking control in a matter of hours of state radio/TV, forcing the president to flee the presidential palace, and announcing a new military-led government. The West African regional alliance ECOWAS, of which Mali is a member, reacted angrily and, within days of the coup, imposed economic sanctions. Many western donors, including the USG, suspended non-emergency assistance. Most foreign embassies and organizations including CRS sent non-essential personnel and dependents out of the country.
In the north of Mali, the coup had a serious impact. Mali’s three northern regions of Kidal, Tomboctou, and Gao, long known for their remoteness and amenability to criminal and radical elements, imploded in a matter of days as a conglomeration of rebel forces (MNLA, Al Qaeda, Ansar Dine, Boko Haram) and fighters of the deposed Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi joined forces to rout the Malian military. By April 1, rebels controlled all three northern regions and later progressed to northern Mopti region, and thereby splitting the country in two. The violence sent over 200,000 Malians fleeing to already food insecure areas south inside Mali or north, east, and west across Mali’s borders, especially to Mauritania (108,953 refugees), Niger (65,012 refugees), and Burkina Faso (35,859 refugees) while the remaining fled primarily to Mopti region and Bamako.
In an effort to reclaim the northern regions and put an end to the terrorist and drug networks, the GOM has requested external support from ECOWAS and the UN Security Council. On October 12, the UN Security Council approved a measure permitting GOM to submit a strategy within 45 days. The plan has since been developed and has been endorsed by the Africa Union. Submittal to the UN is expected before the end of the year. The initial plan calls for ECOWAS and Chad to provide up to 3,100 troops for the effort, bolstered by training from US and European countries and the establishment of bases from which to launch the attack in the north.
In addition to the looming military action, there is a lingering food crisis, in which 4.6 million Malians remain at risk of food insecurity, and an estimated 1.6 million in the north are regarded at risk of severe food insecurity, notwithstanding limited food and other support provided by pro-rebel countries and multilateral agencies.
Primary Function:
The CRS Mali Emergency Coordinator will be responsible for planning, implementing, and managing emergency programming in Mali, through the matrix management of Program Managers of different CRS projects. He/she will provide technical support to the program team and partners to develop strategies for a three-pronged humanitarian response: short-term emergency assistance and medium-term resiliency programming as the crisis evolves. Strengthening the technical and management capacity of emergency and program staff and partner organizations will also be an important part of this role. He/she work closely with the SWA RTAs for Emergencies and the Emergency Response Team in Nairobi. The position will also represent CRS at regular HCT and UN cluster meetings, when appropriate.
Specific Job Responsibility:
Program Management:
- Work in close collaboration with CRS Mali senior management team, especially the HOP, M&E Coordinator, Business Development & Program Quality PM, Global Fund Director, and MYAP Coordinator to facilitate effective program management in Mali.
- Lead the process for the deployment of the Mali contingency plan and early recovery response plan in accordance with Sphere guidelines.
- Prepare concept papers and grant proposals for submission to major donors. This will include working closely with program staff, resource agencies, partners and communities to do participatory needs assessments, project design and proposal writing.
- Manage ongoing emergency program and develop strategies for mid-term resiliency programs in Mali.
- Ensure program quality through development and implementation of monthly or quarterly emergency project reviews, comprehensive M&E systems and partner capacity enhancement.
- Complete reports to donors, including financial reports provided by Finance.
- Enhance field office and partner capacity in needs assessment, program planning and monitoring.
- With Administration and Finance departments, ensure program compliance with all CRS and donor administrative and financial requirements.
- Collaborate with the finance department to ensure budget holders are trained on budget management and meet CRS budgetary cycle deadlines
- Support Program Managers/Officers and M&E officer to effectively implement, and improve as needed, the M&E systems across all projects, following the Propack III. Facilitate Real-Time Evaluations. Promoting project reviews and other learning events.
- Prepare or assist project staff in the preparation of project reports as required by CRS, external donors and other interested bodies.
- Prepare regular updates on emergency program activities for regional sitrep on Mali crisis management.
- Work program staff to promote CRS partnership principles and establish new partnerships that will further CRS programming in Mali.
- Maintain close coordination with CRS emergency managers in Burkina and Niger
Staff Management:
- Supervise CRS Program Managers/Officers in Mali who manage sector interventions in water and sanitation, livelihoods, shelter, nutrition, education, etc.
- Support staff through close attention to staff care, mentoring, and development and monitoring of CRS Performance Plans through coaching sessions and appraisals.
- Promote appropriate staff behavior in the field and a Do no Harm approach for a better understanding of local communities and the local working environment
- Ensure to integrate security management into program activities with a particular attention to the strategy of acceptance and compliance of staff with security procedures.
Representation:
- Maintain contact with Donor Agencies, the UN cluster system, and other NGOs to ensure that interventions are coordinated with those of other agencies and meet local requirements
- Represent CRS and share information regularly with local authorities, local partners, the UN, other NGOs and other appropriate networks.
- Support where appropriate UN contingency planning.
- Identify/negotiate funding opportunities and pursue strategic partnerships for ongoing emergency activities.
Supervisory Responsibilities: at least 5 Program Managers/Officers in various programming sectors
CRS Emergency Competencies
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
- Communicates strategically under pressure
- Manages stress and complexities
- Actively promotes safety and security
- Implements high-quality emergency programs
Program Manager Competencies
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
- Sets clear goals and manages toward them
- Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders
- Manages financial resources with integrity
- Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
- Serves with Integrity
- Models Stewardship
- Cultivates Constructive Relationships
- Promotes Learning
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: CR, Head of Programming, Business Development/Program Quality PM, M&E Coordinator, Resource Management Coordinator, program managers, SWA RTA Emergencies, ERT, and regional PQ Team.
External: Local and international NGOs, UN agencies, Partners and Donors.
Qualifications:
- Masters Degree in related field or equivalent experience
- Must have a minimum of three years program management experience with an international NGO in a similar capacity.
- Experience in emergencies and program planning and management.
- Demonstrated application of SHPERE Standards.
- Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with local communities and NGOs as appropriate.
- Ability to represent CRS at high level coordination meetings with donors, local government, UN, and other international NGOs.
- Demonstrated leadership ability in strategic planning initiatives.
- Proven ability to develop proposals and write reports meeting donor requirements.
- Excellent analytical, management, communication and negotiation skills.
- Must be able to prioritize multiple work demands and work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision.
- Proven ability to be an effective supervisor of staff of varying levels of responsibility.
- Advanced computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
- Professional proficiency in French and English.
Other Requirements: Frequent travel to Mopti office and project sites
NOTE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
