Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for Timor Leste (East Timor)
Posting Date: August 19, 2008
Job Title: Program Manager I, Natural Family Planning – I 08 112
Dept./Location: Baucau, Timor Leste
Band: D
FLSA: Exempt
Reports to: Head of Programs
Req.#: I 08 112
Background:
As a newly formed democracy, Timor Leste struggles with internal conflict, public health services and messages by the Government of Timor Leste (GoTL) that are insufficient to reduce the high maternal and child mortality rates related to close birth spacing. In many developing countries, gaps in critical public health services are filled by the participation and leadership of the Catholic Church. Given Timor Leste’s strong Catholic identity, CRS and its Church partners are in a unique position to harness the Church’s strength and voice to encourage greater responsibility by the country’s population in hopes of decreasing high maternal and child mortality rates and by increasing awareness of and demand for Natural Family Planning (NFP), in line with the Church’s doctrine.
Increased or new investments in these areas will raise the profile of CRS’ community based health programming, and position CRS as a leader in MCH programming. There are no other INGOs implementing NFP programs. The Ministry of Health (MoH) has worked with some international organizations in addressing some of these issues through other family planning activities, however gaps exist; particularly in the eastern districts of Baucau, Lautem and Viqueque, where little support for child spacing has occurred. CRS, with its relationship with the Church, is positioned to fill these gaps. Thus, this is an opportune time for CRS/TL to strengthen relationships with and the capacity of Church partners, pilot model programs and position CRS as the natural INGO lead for implementing NFP.
Primary Function:
The Program Manager is responsible for its Natural Family Planning project, Planning for Responsible Parenthood (P4RP) covering the three eastern districts cited above. S/he also works with the Head of Programs (HoP) and Health Program Advisor to explore opportunities for growth through networking and donor relations, creating promotional materials, and writing concept notes and proposals. S/he will also be responsible for maintaining high quality implementation of the P4RP project with the present field teams Baucau with outreach to Lautem and Viqueque.
Specific Responsibilities:
1. Program Quality/Grant Management
1. Overall responsibility for management of P4RP Natural Family Planning project, including management of staff, ensuring compliance with donor requirements, and ensuring the proposed project objectives are met.
2. Manage all internal and external relationships necessary to procure the needed technical and management support for the project, including: Head of Programs, RTA/Health, Georgetown University, Health Alliance International, and others.
3. Build capacity in local project staff for planning of health project activities and set high quality performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices and donor guidelines.
4. Collaborate with other departments to ensure effective program coordination and integration where feasible and strategic.
5. Provide technical assistance and guidance to partners.
6. Comply and/or utilize agency systems and tools, such as, Project Tracking System, ProPack, SEAPRO’s Proposal Guidelines, and the country program and regional strategic plans.
7. Ensure that the health team applies CRS partnership principles, partnerships are strategic and partners are provided with appropriate support during the project cycle including assessing partner capacity, identifying capacity building priorities, and planning a capacity building strategy.
8. Assist health program staff with developing exit and sustainability strategies for all existing and new health programs/projects
9. Ensure that the project includes and follows appropriate M&E systems, allowing for the inclusion of best practices, lessons learned, and reflective learning.
10. Maintain all relevant health documents (project and technical documents) in accordance with a standard filing system.
11. Apply CRS’ program quality principles and standards, particularly those related to Health, Natural Family Planning and MCH to all projects, programs, and new initiatives.
12. Assist project and program managers with preparing internal and external reports and ensure they are following country program and donor guidelines.
13. Monitor project budget and work with Finance Manager and HOP to ensure spending is according to plan.
14. In collaboration with technical consultants, initiate and maintain monitoring and evaluations system for the project.
15. Collate M&E data and draft reports for donor agency.
2. Representation and Growth
1. Maintain frequent and productive communication with USAID with support from Head of Programs and Country Representative.
2. Identify and follow-up on potential funding opportunities and develop CRS fundraising strategies and strategic alliances.
3. Encourage active and open dialogue with the Health program staff and Regional Technical Advisors on programming ideas and concept papers.
4. Lead the development of evidence based and innovative health program concept notes and proposals with assistance from Head of Programs and regional support.
5. Ensure that proposal development follows CRS country and regional guidelines and review protocol as well as is in line with donor requirements.
6. Foster key professional relationships with the Ministry of Health, other line ministries, non-governmental agencies, Church and other local partners.
7. Oversee program documentation activities for CRS promotion as well as to facilitate learning within the organization.
8. Plan field visits of health programs for donors, partners, and other visitors
9. Represent CRS/TL as appropriate in regional/agency health initiatives.
10. Remain current on the latest trends in NFP and MCH programming that may be adapted to support quality programming in Timor Leste.
3. Supervisory Responsibilities
1. Supervise staff in the P4RP project ensure efficient and quality implementation of project activities and help ensure proper staff and systems are in place.
2. Work with Health program staff to identify key training/capacity building needs, including proposal development and monitoring and evaluation skills; and assist them with developing performance and development plans.
3. Work closely with project staff to develop annual, quarterly, and monthly work plans and achieve identified targets.
4. Proactively seek and promote appropriate training/mentoring opportunities for staff and ensure sharing of knowledge and skills across the health unit.
5. Assist Head of Programs and Program Managers in the recruitment process of new health staff, including developing job descriptions with program managers, interview tests questions, participate in the interview process and provide orientation to new health staff.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Country Representative; Head of Programs; other department heads; health program managers; RTA for Health; TA for HIV/AIDS; RTA for Growth; PQSD.
External: Local Church Partners, Ministry of Health, District Health Offices, International and Local NGOs, UN Agencies, USAID.
Qualifications
1. Master of Public Health or Master of Science in international health or related field.
2. Five or more years living and working overseas working with Health, NFP, MCH and/or HIV/AIDS programming experience.
3. Prior experience working for other INGOs and organizations, a plus.
4. At least three years in a management position, supervising national staff, in an international or intercultural environment. Strong capacity-building skills.
5. Prior experience managing a USG grant, including responsibility for regulatory oversight, budget management and representation.
6. In-depth knowledge of health, NFP, MCH and HIV/AIDS issues in SE Asia.
7. Ability to professionally represent CRS to other organizations. Experience collaborating with Catholic Church partners in NFP a plus.
8. Proven ability to function effectively as part of a multi-cultural team.
9. Excellent communication skills and writing skills, particularly in proposal and grant preparations.
10. Strong ability to think and plan strategically.
11. Familiarity with the Catholic Church’s approach to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, natural family planning, and willingness to support that approach.
12. Computer proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook. Experience with data analysis programs such as EpiInfo and/or SPSS a plus.
13. Willingness to be based in provincial setting, with frequent travel to other districts and Dili.
14. Written and verbal proficiency in English; knowledge of Tetun and/or Bahasa Indonesia, a plus.
15. Professional proficiency in French, Spanish or Portuguese for international posts.
Physical Requirements/Environment: The position is based in Baucau field office in eastern Timor Leste. The position requires approximately 30% travel within Timor Leste, in some areas with limited amenities.
For internal applicants only: If interested, please submit your cover letter and resume to HR Recruitment Specialist, Valarie L. Barksdale at vbarksdale@crs.org
