Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established presence in Nigeria in 2000 and currently focuses on agriculture, health and emergency programming. CRS is expanding its activities in the North-East in the area of Food Security, Nutrition, Non Food Items, Water and Sanitation.

POSITION : Program Manager II - Health Coordinator

Job Summary

• The Health Coordinator will help identify and pre-position for new growth opportunities in health and nutrition, as well as oversee the development, and start-up management of high quality health and nutrition projects in Nigeria.
• In the process, the Health Coordinator will provide technical assistance to/help build the capacity of health programming staff and implementing partners.

Specific Responsibilities
Growth Pre-Positioning/Capture Planning:

• Work with the Senior Business Development Manager (SBDM) and Deputy Head of Programs (DHoP) to identify upcoming growth opportunities in health and nutrition in line with the Country Program (CP) and HSS unit strategy;
• Prepare capture plans and collect intelligence around upcoming health and nutrition opportunities;
• Prepare and update capacity statements and past performance reference documents for CRS in Nigeria’s health programs;
• Assist the SBDM and senior management team in forming strong and competitive consortiums, and in the preparation of teaming agreements. This will entail developing and maintaining competitor and partner analysis.

Representation:

• Develop new, and manage existing relationships with key stakeholders, including donors and potential collaborators for health and nutrition program;
• Represent CRS at all relevant health and nutrition sector meetings and coordination forums, including those with the Ministry of Health, USAID health partner meetings, the UN national health cluster meeting, etc.;
• Help identify potential private sector partners for health and nutrition, in Nigeria and internationally, and help cultivate relationships.

Proposal Development:

• Serve as technical lead writer and technical decision maker for health and nutrition proposals, liaising with appropriate the CRS regional and HQ-based technical advisors;
• Assist the BDSM in proposal coordination for health and nutrition growth opportunities;
• Identify and/or propose potential growth opportunities through intelligence gathering from potential partners and donors;
• Screen potential growth opportunities by analyzing sector trends, CP strategies, project requirements, potential for impact, unit priorities;
• Participate in the review of other CP’s proposals with health and nutrition programming components.

Technical Support and Capacity Building:

• Plan and help lead field assessments for new programs, and evaluations for ongoing programs, in collaboration with Program Managers (PM) and the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator;
• Lead/participate in Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) workshops and strategy meetings for the elaboration and start-up of new programs;
• In coordination with SBDM and senior management staff, help the CP identify capacity development needs and pre-position for prime position for contracts;
• Ensure that technical applications meet CRS standards and donor expectations for quality, responsiveness, completeness and competitiveness.

Communication and Coordination:

• Ensure collaboration and information sharing among health programming staff and other programming departments;
• Work with PMs to document, catalogue and share success stories, best practices, and lessons learned;
• In collaboration with the SBDM, prepare program factsheets and update health sector publicity materials.
• Participate in CRS’ Health and Nutrition Communities of Practices both globally and regionally;
• 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:

• 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 (if none, state none): None.

• Key Working Relationships: Internal: CR, DCR, Deputy Head of Programs, HSS Program Managers, Grants Manager, BDSM, SMILE PMs, FTF Livelihoods Project PMs, Organizational and Institutional Capacity Strenghthening Manager, CRS program staff, CRS Regional Technical Advisor for Health
• External: Funding agencies, local/international NGOs, Ministry of Health (national and state level), United Nations.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• MD, MPH or other relevant Health-related Degree
• Proven track record of designing successful health and nutrition projects
• Experience with proposal development and writing
• Minimum six years of experience working in international development preferably in program management positions related to MCH, Nutrition, HIV/AIDS, and Malaria
• Minimum five years of experience working in an emergency environment or a resource-poor setting; experience living and working in Nigeria is a plus;
• Experience managing programs funded by USG, DFID, and/or The Global Fund; contract experience a plus;
• Proven ability to function effectively as part of a multi-cultural team;
• Excellent cross-cultural communication skills and proven diplomatic and negotiation skills;
• Proven experience working with multi-sector teams and the ability to coordinate multiple staff with varying levels of responsibility;
• Excellent English language communication, writing and presentation skills;
• Strong partnership and donor relationship management experience;
• Be self-motivated, enthusiastic with excellent interpersonal skills
• Experience in designing health related assessments and evaluations;
• Ability to travel within and outside Nigeria.

Required Travel
Work Environment:

• The position is based in Abuja. The position requires approximately 50% travel within Nigeria, in areas with limited amenities, as well as attendance at internal and external conferences and workshops when requested.