Program Manager II – Farming Systems

Title: Program Manager II – Farming Systems
Department: Programs
Report to: Chief of Party
Duration: Full time
Job Location: Jinja/Lira – Uganda
Vacancies: One (1)

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 has been working in Uganda since 1965 and has a vibrant portfolio of projects, serving over a million vulnerable Ugandans and refugees each year through the Country Program 2030 Strategy. CRS programs in Uganda currently support five strategic priority areas, including Health and Social Services Systems Strengthening, Resilient Food Systems, Emergency Preparedness and Management, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Local Leadership. CRS Uganda implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including international and local NGOs, Ugandan government departments and ministries, the Catholic Church, and community-based organizations for maximum impact and sustainability.

Background
CRS in Uganda is currently recruiting a Program Manager – Farming Systems to provide leadership and overall management of the upcoming Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) project on Inclusive development of sustainable farming systems in Lango and Busoga regions. The program will be built around the following major components: a. Farmer household and farming systems b. Sustainable land use, irrigation, and crop production c. Market and value chain development.

Job Summary:
You will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of the Farming Households and Farming Systems component of the project ensuring effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the Country Program (CP) delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its Agriculture and Farming Systems programming. Kindly be aware that this position is contingent on proposal. Its availability is subject to CRS successfully obtaining funding from the donor.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:
•Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of the Farming Households and Farming system component of the EKN project throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
•Effectively manage talent for the Farming Households and Farming system component and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
•Lead the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research, and publications in the area of Farming Households and Farming system and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.
•Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP Agricultural sector portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP Agricultural Development strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals in Agriculture and Farming systems per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
•Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in Farming Households and Farming system for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
•Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to Farming Households and Farming system and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
•Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.

Basic Qualifications
•Master’s degree in international development, International Relations or in the field of Agriculture and Farming system required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
•Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in the area of Agriculture and Farming system.
•Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.
•Strong technical knowledge of Farming Systems – preferably in Uganda – is a must.

Preferred Qualifications
•Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including USAID.
•Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
•Experience engaging with partner organizations, both local and international.
•MEAL skills and experience required.
•Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
•Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
•Prior experience in implementing agriculture and farming systems related programing in Lango and Busoga region is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
•Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions.
•Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
•Good presentation and facilitation skills.
•Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented.

Required Languages – English proficiency (both written and oral) is required. Proficiency of local languages in Lira and Busoga Districts is a plus.
Travel – This position will be based in the project office in either Jinja or Lira. The Program Manager II must be willing and able to travel across project locations up to 40% of his/her time.

Agency REDI 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.

Key Working Relationships
•Supervisory: Program Staff of Farming Systems component.
•Internal: Program team, Country Representative, Head of Programs, Head of Operations, Deputy Head of Operations, MEAL Coordinator, Business Development Specialist, Finance Manager, Deputy Finance Manager, Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality, Regional Technical Advisors, HQ based Project Support teams.
•External: Donors, partner INGOs and local NGOs, Caritas, and peer agencies.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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 the above safeguarding related topics.