Laos Food for Education Program Manager, Catholic Relief Services - Vientiane, Lao

Job Title: Laos Food for Education Program Manager Requisition Number: I977 Area of Interest: Other Position Type: Full Time Location: Lao PDR/Vientiane Job Description: BACKGROUND/Job Summary: Since 2006, CRS Lao PDR has grown from one USAID-funded education project to a multi-sector, multi-donor office. CRS' strengths are based in the education sector, being a leader in inclusive education programming, focusing on children with disabilities (CWD). The country program's strengths, particularly working at the community level, have allowed the program team to undertake additional programs in the health and UXO sectors. CRS Lao PDR was awarded a three-year U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Education (FFE) grant. The project will promote primary education and reduce the incidence of hunger for approximately 33,000 primary school children in 375 schools across five to eight disadvantaged districts in Savannakhet Province of Lao PDR. The project will ensure success by coupling increased access to food with quality improvements that strengthen the overall educational system and environment for primary school children, with an explicit focus on strengthening early reading and literacy for all children. Building on CRS Laos' extensive education experience promoting community based efforts to include al school age children, CRS will train and support Village Education Development Committees (VEDCs) to manage school feeding activities, improve their schools, and ensure that all children in the village have the opportunity to enroll in and attend school. The project will systematically increase government capacity by engaging the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) as the primary implementing partner. The project will continue to inform and coordinate with MOES' School Meals Unit within the Inclusive Education Center as well as with partners at the provincial and district levels. The project will train approximately 900 teachers and 375 school principals to build inclusive school environments and teach children in ways that respond to their varied need. The project incorporates the strengths of Room to Read's literacy-specific programming in Laos with the University of Oregon's distance learning source which will build institutional capacity to manage inclusive education programming at a national level. The USDA program will support MEOS' education strategy and its Education for All/Fast Track Initiative by complementing ongoing efforts in about 10% of the 56 priority districts in Lao PDR. CRS has the full support of the Lao Government to conduct all activities. CRS is currently exploring target districts as well as office and warehouse locations in Savannakhet. While the USDA grant officially begins in June 2013, CRS Lao PDR expects the in-coming PM II to support with project start up activities--including recruitment, establishing management systems (supply chain management, logistics, procurement, technology-based M&E, etc), and close coordination with the government at all levels. Primary Responsibility/Function: Under the supervision of the Country Manager and with close support of an experienced national program manager, the PM II will be responsible for the overall management of the program. This includes warehousing; transportation; school feeding activities; education activities, including trainings; coordination with partners from MOES, Room to Read, and University of Oregon; coordination with other school meals implementers, such as ChildFund and WFP; timely start up of activities; close financial and commodity management; office management; and staff supervision. It is anticipated that the program will hire up to 80 staff to successfully implement the program. The PM II will be responsible for ensuring that the final program results are achieved, including strategies for phase over to the Lao Government. It is anticipated that the PM II will spend approximately 50% of his/her time on program quality and 50% of management quality. Thus CRS Lao PDR is looking for an applicant with prior experience managing school feeding, or similar, programs. Job Responsibilities: (not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position) 1. Program Quality and Management ·        Work with M&E Advisor and RISA to develop M&E system using IT solutions; test and revise system prior to project start up ·        Work with partners to develop annual implementation plans; track progress on a regular basis to ensure timely completion of activities ·        Train staff and partners on M&E system ·        Lead the planning of project activities in line with program targets, ensuring that all trainings are nationally coordinated and are of high quality ·        Recruit, orient, and support program staff so that program staff can complete their roles and functions to the best of their abilities ·        Use appropriate management tools, including IT solutions, to plan, review and track progress on project implementation as well as the utilization of project resources ·        Closely coordinate with program partners ·        Plan for and seek technical assistance from region and HQ 2. Management Quality and Administration ·        Train project staff and partners on financial and commodity management; schedule regular refresher trainings and support visits ·        Oversee program team to: verify that procurement procedures and policies are in place; establish functioning commodity management systems and structures; maintain transparent financial systems and records; and, recruit qualified national staff ·        Responsible for financial management and tracking of project resources, including those of sub recipients and local partners; provide timely support to project partners to enable regular reporting and financial liquidations ·        Responsible for timely arrival, import, and delivery of food commodities; provide trouble shooting as and when needed to ensure no significant delays ·        Ensure CRS is compliant with USG regulation and with program agreement 3. Staff Supervision ·        Supervise senior program management team ·        Support the professional development of supervisees, providing timely, respectful feedback to staff ·        Maintain positive work environment within field office(s) 4. Representation and Communication ·        Responsible for all representation activities regarding USDA program ·        Regularly prepare and share reports, including success stories and use of ICT in programming ·        Regularly update MOES and US Embassy on CRS' activities and progress ·        Closely coordinate with MOES, particularly on school feeding activities including commodity management and on inclusive education/teacher training activities; attend School Meal Unit meetings ·        Regularly communicate and coordinate with Room to Read and University of Oregon ·        Seek out potential partners for anticipated continuation of USDA activities into phase 2 Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff) 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 ·        Cultivates Constructive Relationships ·        Promotes Learning Program Manager Competencies These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each program manager to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results. ·       Sets clear goals and manages toward them ·       Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders ·       Manages financial resources with integrity ·       Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning Supervisory Responsibilities: Senior management team within USDA program Key Working Relationships: Internal: Country Manager, Admin/Finance Coordinator, USDA Program Team, HQ Education Advisor, Regional Technical Advisors (Financial Officer, RISA, Emergency, Education), Cambodia support team External: MOES, Room to Read, University of Oregon, WFP, ChildFund, INGO Education Working Group, Education Sector Working Group, US Embassy Qualifications ·        Masters degree in Education, International Development, or related field ·        Prior knowledge and experience in managing food aid programs highly desired ·        Minimum of 5 years program management experience in a developing country ·        Experience implementing ICT solutions (M&E and distance learning) highly desired ·        Previous supervisory experience required ·        Ability and willingness to work in remote areas ·        Previous experience managing USG funds ·        Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, but be self-motivated and accountable for program implementation ·        Ability to think and plan strategically; able to multi-task and prioritize ·        Excellent written and spoken English ·        Desire to learn Lao language ·        Strong computer skills Note: Families are welcome to apply. However, there is no international school in Savannakhet. The position is based in Savannakhet. EOE/M/D/F/V

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