Organization: Catholic Relief Services
Country: Honduras
Closing date: 19 Jul 2017
Job Title: Director of the Honduras Center for Conservation Agriculture (CCA)
Internal: Chief of Party I
Department: Programs
Band: TBD
Location: Department of Intibucá, Honduras
THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON DONOR FUNDING
- I. About CRS
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as part of our staff and as partner people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need.
- II. Background
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is recruiting a Director for its Honduras Center for Conservation Agriculture (CCA) Project, a 7-year program that will contribute to wide-scale adoption of conservation agriculture in Honduras for increased livelihoods resiliency for famers and their families. The Project director will guide the CCA through its initial conformation into a sustainable center that will provide long-term technical services for conservation agriculture, both within and outside of Honduras. This effort builds on previous CRS investments in the Global Water Initiative, Blue Harvest, ProSoils, and Water Smart Agriculture. The Director will provide strategic and program leadership to a team of both internal and external experts, and will establish the relationships and guide the development and implementation of a business model that will lead to the long-term viability and impact of the CCA.
- III. Job Summary
The Project Director will provide the vision and overall leadership to the program team. S/he will be responsible for overseeing the overall management of the project including the quality of programmatic implementation (including research, monitoring, evaluation and learning) and administrative elements of the project, including establishment and implementation of a viable business model, and monitoring the budget.
The Project Director will also serve as the primary point of contact in country with government actors, the private sector, and non-government stakeholders. He/she is responsible for ensuring compliance with the donor grants including oversight of budgets, finance and administration, and donor reporting. The Project Director is responsible for ensuring that project results are achieved on time and on budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability; and that the budget is consumed as planned
The Project Director will be a senior leader from the agricultural development sector, with a business vision, and will be responsible for leading all aspects of the development, implementation and consolidation of the Center for Conservation Agriculture project, including ensuring that the project contributes to the thought leadership of the industry and positions the CCA as a catalyst for widespread adoption of conservation agriculture. The Project Director is also responsible for leveraging this position for future growth within this sector for CRS.
The candidate will operate within the organizational structure of CRS. The successful candidate will also be responsible for representing the project to major stakeholders, especially donors and key relevant ministries within the country.
- IV. Primary Job Responsibilities
Program Quality
- Lead the design and implementation of the Honduras Center for Conservation Agriculture Project with an innovative program lens, designing pilot solutions to existing development issues.
- With key program staff and stakeholders, ensure program's strategic objectives and results are fully accomplished and meet expected technical quality standards through annual and quarterly activity planning and budget forecasts.
- Ensure that vision and plans for the program are innovative and are in line with CRS agency and country program strategies, as well as with Honduran government priorities.
- Lead quarterly technical review of implementation plans for the CCA and ensure appropriate actions are taken to meet implementation timelines and commitments.
- In collaboration with program staff, provide guidance and technical oversight to collaborating agencies to ensure that best practices and lessons learned are documented and disseminated.
- Coordinate with M&E department to oversee the design and implementation of the program's monitoring and evaluation system, using appropriate forms, procedures, and tools for data collection and analysis as the basis for measuring, documenting and reporting of project performance and outcomes. Ensure that M&E lessons learned are incorporated into the project design and activities.
- Ensure coordination with the Technical Advisors for the design and implementation of scientific research components of the project.
- Integrate project interventions with other CRS programs as appropriate through linkages with other service providers.
- Ensure that processes are anchored in a business model approach with the integration of key CRS models such as, the Holistic Organizational Capacity Assessment Instrument (HOCAI), Integral Human Development (IHD), the Justice Lens, the Gender Lens and CRS Guiding Principles.
Management
- Ensure staff compliance with CRS administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as donor procedures, policies and regulations.
- Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors.
- In coordination with the Business and Finance Specialist, ensure accurate and timely financial reports, carry out quarterly financial tracking and reporting system, review the budget comparison report to ensure that spending and program implementation is aligned, while analyzing the progress toward program goals and against burn rates. Proactively identify and address financial issues and concerns.
Representation and Communication
- Seek out opportunities to represent CRS programming in international circles and highlight the innovative work under the Center for Conservation Agriculture.
- In collaboration with CRS supervisor, act as primary program contact to donor and other local and international stakeholders, and be responsible for addressing all program matters.
- Represent CRS at external meetings with international and domestic stakeholders.
- In specific instances, prepare and deliver presentations of the project ongoing activities, challenges/opportunities, and results achieved.
- Strengthen linkages with existing and potential partner agencies.
- Oversee the development and implementation of program communication strategies and materials, including compliance with donor's branding and marketing requirements as well as CRS marketing and communication procedures.
- Collaborate effectively and regularly with regional/HQ management and technical advisors, especially with regards to sharing and reviewing important communication with the donor.
- Seek and follow through on opportunities for income generation, complementary funding, and proposal development to sustain CCA operations and services
Human Resources
- Manage recruitment portfolio for the Center, in collaboration with Human Resources Department and CRS country program management, orient, and support the professional development of supervisees, providing timely, respectful feedback.
- Conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with CRS' performance management system and mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork.
- Supervise and coach the program team to meet program objectives.
- Oversee the management of the relationship with partner organizations, ensure regular communication and organization of review/planning workshops.
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With program staff, lead the identification of performance gaps and training needs of CRS and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high quality training, technical assistance, and administrative and financial support to all partner agencies, including the selection and coordination of consultants.
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V. Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Abilities
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Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture with advanced degree in business management administration, economic development or international economics (or equivalent combined experience).
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Minimum of 10 years' progressive experience in agriculture program management and leadership with experience in sustainable production, agricultural production machines and equipment, irrigation and at least working knowledge of conservation agriculture; experience in environment a plus
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Strong commitment to agricultural field work and frequent engagement in field
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Experience in managing visible, complex, high value projects at a national level.
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Demonstrated ability to engage with a wide range of key actors, including private sector, national government agencies, academic and research entities, other NGO peers, and small-holder farmers
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Experience designing and managing financially viable agricultural services a plus.
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Excellent leadership, planning, analytical, communication, research and technical skills, with a proven ability to prioritize multiple work demands
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Proven ability to think and lead strategically and creatively
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Excellent team coordination skills; strong interpersonal and supervisory skills; ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams
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Experience in budgeting and budget management.
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Excellent oral and written communication skills; critical thinking and analysis for innovation, learning and reporting
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Cross-cultural sensitivity, patience and flexibility; ability to work with people of different perspectives, good judgment.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.
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Applications from Nationals of Honduras or Central America strongly preferred.
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Willing to live in commuting distance from the Project location.
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VI. Agency-Wide 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.
- Serves with Integrity
- Models Stewardship
- Develops Constructive Relationships
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Promotes Learning
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VII. Key Working Relationships
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Supervisory: Supervises the Honduras Center for Conservation Agriculture project team members including the Business and Finance Specialist and Research & MEAL Advisor.
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*Internal:** Country Program management and technical staff, LACRO Regional team, Agricultural Livelihoods and Water staff in PIQA, MEAL staff in PIQA, other technical and strategy advisors.
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External: Government officials (Honduras Commission on Climate Change, municipal government leaders); university and other researchers; multi-lateral agencies, donors, and NGO leaders; private sector leaders in various agriculture-focused industries; potential donors and investors for the CCA.
Travel Requirements: This position will require travel nationally and internationally as up to 30% of the time.
Foreign Language Requirements: Advanced fluency (reading, writing, and speaking) in English & Spanish. Excellent English writing skills required.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, 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.
EOE
How to apply:
Apply online- https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/nghome.guid?c=1161051&d=External&r=5000227597506
