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Program Manager II - Agriculture and Livelihoods - I 08 061
Source: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) - USA
GA
| Deadline: | 08 Jul 2008 |
| Organisation: | Catholic Relief Services (CRS) - USA |
| Location: | Tanzania |
| Type: | permanent |
| Salary: | TBA (000's USD) |
| Description: | Req. No.: I 08 061
Background:
The Agriculture programs in CRS Tanzania have been operating since 2000 to the present at a modest level of funding of <$1M per year but with a stable diverse funding base including EU, Foods Resource Bank (FRB), CORDAID, Ryan Family Foundation and USAID. The context of the Tanzania agriculture programs is a strong focus on Rural Territorial Agro Enterprise Development, with Savings and Lending Communities (SILC) becoming an organizational foundation and source of capital to help farmers produce and gain better access to markets. This has emanated from five years of an on-going Agro Enterprise Learning Alliance with nine CRS Country Programs lead by a partnership of CRS and the Center of International Tropical Agriculture, CIAT. Another feature of CRS Tanzania agriculture development is the consistent integrated focus of all its projects linking Agro Enterprise development with HIV/AIDS and Nutrition interventions. The portfolio is currently valued at approximately $1.8M per year but is expected to grow. In the last year thanks to the solid foundation developed over the past several years and new priority focus by private donors, Tanzania sees now sees larger scale opportunities in agriculture. Tanzania is currently launching the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) funded Great Lakes Cassava initiative. Other BMGF project concepts being considered are in the areas of Agriculture Extension, Sweet Potato and Soil Fertility. Tanzania is also anticipating the approval of a multi-country SILC grant which would link well into the agriculture farmer group marketing approaching. he last year thanks to the solid foundation developed over the past several years and new priority focus by private donors, Tanzania sees now sees larger scale opportunities in agriculture. Tanzania is currently launching the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) funded Great Lakes Cassava initiative. Other BMGF project concepts being considered are in the areas of Agriculture Extension, Sweet Potato and Soil Fertility. Tanzania is also anticipating the approval of a multi-country SILC grant which would link well into the agriculture farmer group marketing approaching. Overall Responsibilities: Tanzania is seeking a skilled program manager capable of building the agriculture livelihood program such that it brings together the various technical skills currently on the team, integrates the various agriculture projects and links into the SILC, water and HIV/AIDS programs for increased impact of the livelihoods of people in the communities we serve. The candidate will be responsible for the design, planning and development of all CRS/Tanzania Agriculture and Agro Enterprise Programs, (with specific focus on the Coastal, Northern and Lake Zones), and the managing, monitoring, and reporting of these Programs/projects funded from CRS as well as other donors. Supervise a team of staff including 5 direct reports, and 12 staff total. Develop the team and its organization as needed as new grants and staff is added to the unit's portfolio. Specific Responsibilities: Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation: 1. Conduct site visits to work with partners in monitoring the projects 2. Support CRS and partner staff to develop effective monitoring systems for agriculture projects. 3. Directly supervise staff under the Agriculture and Livelihoods Department 4. Ensure compliance with CRS and donor requirements and regulations 5. Coach and mentor agriculture project officers and other staff on technical aspects of Agricultural projects 6. Compile and submit quarter and annual progress reports for submission to HQ, EARO and donors, as necessary 7. Together with local partners, document the learning processes during the implementation of the strategies. 8. Work with the Head of Office(HoO), the Programming Head and other relevant sectors in developing tools for monitoring and ensuring integration of Agriculture programs with other programming activities 9. Organize sectoral reviews and agricultural programs/projects evaluation 10. Build the capacity of partners through training in project implementation, monitoring and reporting Strategy/Project Development 1. Develop and implement a CRS strategy and operational framework for supporting CRS partner organizations and target beneficiaries in: a. Identifying and characterizing Territories in which CRS and partners are to operate, b. Identifying and evaluating market opportunities in these territories c. Conducting Sub-Sector market analyses, d. Creating or strengthening enterprises for selected high-demand agricultural products for increased incomes of farmers e. Strong Farmer Organization formation and development, especially related to Savings and Internal Lending Communities and Producer Market Groups capable of independent marketing in competitive market chains, f. Identifying and Strengthening Business Development Support (BDS) Services, including sustainable seed supply, market information and intelligence, g. Ensure CRS Tanzania integrates its agriculture programs with HIV/AIDS and nutrition programs as a principal approach to program design and implementation. 2. Through staff under supervision and in collaboration with CRS partners, provide technical assistance and training for farmers marketing groups on marketing and enterprise development including market opportunity identification, preparation of business and marketing plans including collective access to markets and linkage and positive engagement with the market chains. 3. Contribute to the preparation of and development of projects' Concept Notes/proposals for funding with a primary focus on Agriculture development or related fields. 4. Contribute to the country program in planning processes such as in the preparation of Annual Program Plans and Strategic Program Plans. 5. Keep abreast of state-of-the art standards and methodologies 6. Collaborate with Regional PQ and MQ staff in development of agency strategies, project proposals and TDYs (temporary duty assignments) where necessary Administrative tasks: 1. Supervise project administration, including management of financial and material resources to achieve project objectives 2. Ensure that complete documents are maintained in soft copies as well as hard copies in respective project folders, 3. Work with Finance regarding project advances, liquidations and reconciliation 4. Collect and maintain appropriate technical resources in Project Resource Center 5. Represent CRS on relevant committees and at external meetings and functions when requested Direct Working Relationships: Internal: Head of Office, Head of Programming, CR, Tanzania-based Agriculture Technical Advisor and Other Programs, especially HIV/AIDS programs. External: EARO, Nairobi, Partners e.g. Diocese, NGOs, National and International Institutes (CGIARs, ICRISAT, CIAT) Supervision SILC Coordinator, Gates Cassava Program Manager, Senior Project Officer - EU/Cordaid Agro-enterprise and HIV mitigation project; Project Officer - USAID Agro-enterprise and HIV mitigation project Qualifications: 1. Master degree in Agriculture (Agronomy, Agricultural Economics with specialization in Marketing) or equivalent, though agriculture, agricultural economics, or business training will be preferred. 2. Minimum of 5 years experience in agriculture or agricultural marketing; at least 3 years of supervisory experience. 3. Demonstrated team building and staff management skills, with ability to supervise field staff and staff based in different offices. 4. Strong analytical planning, writing and administrative skills 5. Effective communication skills - orally and writing. 6. A minimum of 5 years, experience with NGO and international organizations in development 7. Proficiency in MS office and other analyses related packages 8. Ability to work independently and meet deadlines 9. Highly motivated and demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, To apply for this position please visit the Catholic Relief Services website at www.crs.org/about/careers. Regrettably, email submissions can not be accepted. |
