Education and Literacy Program Manager
Job Overview
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Date PostedApril 30, 2024
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Location
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Expiration dateMay 14, 2024
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Experience2 Years
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GenderBoth
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QualificationMaster’s Degree
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OrganizationCatholic Relief Services
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Required LanguagesEnglish
Job Description
CRS JOB ADVERT – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL
CRS is recruiting for X1 Position: Education and Literacy Program Manager.
If you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below job descriptions, and follow the instructions to submit your application package.
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 are accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.
Background
CRS Sierra Leone is implementing the fifth phase of the McGovern-Dole (MGD) “Lan for u future” project funded by the United State Department of agriculture (USDA).
In September 2022, the ‘Lan for u future’ project was approved for four years, with a coverage of 5 chiefdoms (Kamukeh, Wara Wara Bafodia, Diang, Kalian, Nieni) of Koinadugu district and 10 chiefdoms (Dembelia Sinkunia, Kebelia, Sulima, Wollay Barawa, Morifindugu, Mongo, Nyedu, Neya, Delemandugu, and Kulor Saradu) of Falaba district, in the north of Sierra Leone;
The program aims to; improve literacy of school age children by building teachers and school administrators’ skills and knowledge, by improving teachers’ attendance and their access to school supplies and improved literacy instruction materials.
It is also meant to improve students’ attentiveness by increasing access to food and improving nutrition and health practices to reduce hunger and absences. Improve students’ attendance by providing nutritious meals, take home rations and presenting parents with economic incentives and address cultural practices that may be detrimental to school attendance. Increase use of health and dietary practices by increasing students and communities’ knowledge of health and hygiene practices, by training food preparers on safe food preparation and storage, by increasing access to clean water and sanitation, by increasing access to deworming medications, and by increasing access to the requisite food preparation.
The project works with the MBSSE both in Freetown and in Koinadugu and Falaba Districts, Caritas Makeni, Teach for Sierra Leone (TFSL) and the University of Makeni (UNIMAK)for the training of teachers. Additionally, the project is working with the Nutrition unit of the District Health Medical Teams (DHMT) and Mother Support Group with Caritas Makeni as the only subrecipient implementing the health and nutrition activities.
Job Title: Education and Literacy Program Manager
Department: Mc Govern Dole Education Program
Reports To: Deputy Chief of Party
Country: CRS-Sierra Leone.
Duty Location: CRS Kabala Office
Job Summary:
You will manage programming in the Country Program (CP) for Education and Early childhood development program designing and implementing projects 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 programming.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- Manage and implement all activities throughout relevant project cycles – 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.
- Participate in key decision making on program strategy.
- Research standardized literacy testing tools, literacy teaching techniques and supporting materials, and adapt as needed to context of Burkina Faso
- Encourage innovation/creativity and lead implementation of pilot activities
Ensure visibility around education activities by leading field visits of partners, donors, press outlets to field sites and overseeing development of one-pagers, brochures, short videos, etc
- Effectively manage talent and supervise. 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 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 in respective programming area, gap-filling and taking on growth responsibilities, as needed.
- Coordinate the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation. • Help identify, assess and strengthen partnerships relevant to food for education, early childhood and education programing, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
- Maintain strong partnerships with MBSSE, TFSL, Caritas Makeni, Unimak, local authorities, through regular communication, proactive responses to challenges that arise, and organization of periodic review/planning workshops
- Coordinate and monitor financial and material resources relevant to project needs. Through planning and oversight ensure efficient use of project resources
- In collaboration with Grant Manager, prepare partner (TFSL, Unimak) agreements/annual budget, review financial and progress reports
Basic Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations or in the field of Education, Early child hood development and Food for education program is 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.
- Additional experience may substitute for some education.
Required Languages – English.
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 30 %.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- 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
Preferred Qualifications
- Project management experience in <Education, Early child hood development and Food for education is highly desirable.
- Experience engaging with partner organizations.
- 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.
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Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
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.
- Integrity
- Continuous Improvement & Innovation
- Builds Relationships
- Develops Talent
- Strategic Mindset
- Accountability & Stewardship
***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.
By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to safeguarding-related topics.
WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. CRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
To apply for this position please send up-to-date CV and a supporting letter, copies of relevant certificates to email, SL_HR@crs.org
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Also send a copy of your application package to the desk Officers, Ministry of Employment and Social Security, New England and Extension Offices in Applicants’ Locations
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 protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
Closing Date for the receipt of application packages is 14th May 2024.