Project Summary:

The USAID Reforestation Project is a five-year environment and food security activity designed to address environmental degradation and loss of tree cover in Haiti. USAID expects this project to reduce the threat of deforestation and increase tree cover in and around targeted areas, in line with USAID/Haiti’s goal of restoring the provision of environmental services in targeted forest areas in support of food security and resilience. The USAID Reforestation Project directly supports and contributes to the Government of Haiti (GOH)-led efforts to manage healthy watersheds and mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change through forestry and land use practices

Job Summary:

The Deputy Project Director (DPD) is responsible for supporting the project Director in the programming aspect of the project as well as relationship with the project implementing partners. The DPD will support the Director in the overall management of the Reforestation Project. S/he will provide leadership and supervision of the operational support services of the project at partner level and field level and that includes supply chain management, procurement, logistics and in particular the strengthening of the partner capacities. S/he will ensure that responses to the needs of the project are clearly articulated, risk managed, and effectiveness and quality of the project activities and operations at the field increased. S/he directs and oversees partner capacity-building activities. S/he is a member of the project management team and plays a key role by coordinating the operational management aspects of the program at partner level in accordance with the procedures and regulations of CRS and USAID to ensure operational excellence of the project.


Job Responsibilities:

Program Quality
1. Help to lead the design and implementation of the Reforestation Project with an innovative program lens, designing pilot solutions to existing development issues.
2. 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.
3. Ensure that vision and plans for the program are innovative and are in line with CRS agency and country program strategies.
4. Lead quarterly technical review of implementation plans for the project and ensure appropriate actions are taken to meet implementation timelines and commitments.
5. In collaboration with program staff, provide guidance and technical oversight to partners and other collaborating agencies to ensure that best practices and lessons learned are documented and disseminated.
6. 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.
7. Ensure that M&E lessons learned from results of program monitoring and evaluation are incorporated into the design and execution of program activities to meet stated objectives and needs of the beneficiary populations.
8. Integrate project interventions with other CRS programs as appropriate through linkages with other service providers.
9. Ensure that processes are anchored in CRS ProPack methodologies, Integral Human Development (IHD), the Justice Lens, the Gender Lens and CRS Partnership principles


Management
1. Ensure staff compliance with all CRS administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations.
2. Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors.
3. 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.
4. Proactively identify and address financial issues and concerns in concert with other staff and partners to ensure adherence to financial guidelines and maintain transparent systems and records.
5. Ensure accurate and timely reporting of program finances and progress status, review actual financial performance against the budget and take corrective action to ensure that program expenses match the execution of activity plans and accurate effort reporting.

Representation and Communication
1. Support the seeking out opportunities to represent CRS programming in international circles and highlight the innovative work under the Reforestation project.
2. Aid the publishing on program results.
3. In collaboration with CRS supervisor, act as a program contact to donor and other local and international stakeholders, and aid addressing all program matters.
4. Help represent CRS at external meetings with international and domestic stakeholders.
5. In specific instances, prepare and deliver presentations of the project ongoing activities, challenges/opportunities, and results achieved.
6. Strengthen linkages with existing and potential partner agencies.
7. Helps oversees 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.
8. Collaborate effectively and regularly with regional/HQ management and technical advisors, especially with regards to sharing and reviewing important communication with USAID


Human Resources
1. Support recruitment portfolio for the program, in collaboration with Human Resources Department and CRS country program management, orient, and support the professional development of supervisees, providing timely, respectful feedback.
2. Support 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.
3. Support management of the relationship with partner organizations, ensure regular communication and organization of review/planning workshops.
4. With program staff, support 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.


Scope: Supervises the project team members and MEAL Coordinator

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience:
The Deputy Project Director candidate is expected to have both technical and management experience and will be responsible for overall program management, including providing leadership to attain objectives, ensuring adequate communications with USAID, and identifying and mitigating program risks. The candidate for this five- year position must meet the following minimum qualifications:

● Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience, with progressively increasing responsibilities and duties, in fields related to the results and objectives of the USAID Reforestation project.
● An advanced graduate degree in a similarly related field of study (e.g. forestry, natural resources management, agronomy, environmental policy, governance, etc.).
● Experience managing the technical aspects of a project of similar size and breadth
● Experience with USAID project implementation (preferred) or similar work for other donors
● Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including national and local government, donors, community-based organizations, think tanks and universities, and the private sector.
● Knowledge of CRS Partnership strategy and Partner management experience an advantage
● Prior experience managing multi country grants
● Excellent report-writing skills
● Excellent knowledge and experience in budget management and project management
● Proficiency in Microsoft Office Publisher, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook
● Demonstrated understanding of the Haitian context

Personal Skills
● Proven leadership, and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams
● Proven experience in building and maintaining institutional linkages
● Ability to work to meet deadlines in multiple tasking environments
● Excellent organization, planning and analytical skills; detail oriented
● Ability to think critically, effectively manage change and problem solve
● Excellent communication and inter-personal skills, with demonstrated strength in relationship management
● Ability to be flexible, persistent, and diplomatic and to gain respect among staff, local community leaders, church and secular partners, as well as local government ministries and donor organizations.
● Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a multi- cultural team, but be self-motivated and accountable for program implementation and work independently if needed.

Required/Desired Foreign Language
Spoken and written fluency in English and French especially with the ability to produce quality written reports for the donor in English on a timely basis

Travel Required (include percentage of required travel, if applicable)
Ability to travel nationally as required up to 30% of the time

Working Relationships
Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory: Technical Lead, MEAL Coordinator
Internal: Country Representative, Head of Programs, Resource Management Coordinator, Deputy Regional Director, Regional Technical Advisors, HQ specialists (in PIQA & IDEA)
External: All project partners, Government officials, public and private sector stakeholders, donors, industry experts, local/international NGOs, and local and international Catholic agencies.

Competencies
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
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.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Competencies Relevant for the Specific Position (include those that are applicable):
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:

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

The concerned candidates are asked to send their complete application (cover letter, CV, copy diplomas) confirming the subject " Deputy Project Director"

THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON PROJECT AWARD AND FUNDING.


CRS’ recruitment and selection procedures reflect our engagement to protecting children and vulnerable adults from exploitation and abuse.