About CST

CST Ethiopia represents the overseas development and humanitarian agencies of the Catholic Church from England and Wales (CAFOD), Scotland (SCIAF), and Ireland (Trócaire) in Ethiopia. The three agencies have over 40 years’ of experience in international development and humanitarian response and are each members of worldwide networks, including Caritas Internationalis. Currently, the three agencies jointly operate a single, integrated country programme in Ethiopia through the legal entity CST Ethiopia. CST Ethiopia works in partnership with local church and non-church organisations, supporting communities in Addis Ababa, Afar, Oromia, SNNPR and Tigray regions.

In Ethiopia CST implements and manages development and humanitarian programme work. This role will provide support to the CST Ethiopia country programme. CST Ethiopia works with a multitude of diverse partners, both secular and faith-based, as well as local, national international and non-traditional in their scope. CST Ethiopia is in the midst of implementing a 2021-25 country strategic plan focused on 2 programmes – Women’s Empowerment and Resilient Communities, which integrates sustainable livelihoods, humanitarian and other (e.g. peacebuilding) programming.

For the candidate with the required experience and passion for the role, CST Ethiopia offers a competitive package of salary and benefits.

Scope of Role

The Resilient Communities Programme Manager reports to Deputy CD and Head of programmes. The Resilient Communities Programme Manager is an important role in the Ethiopia Country programme and works closely with the CMT, Resilient Communities Programme team, Women Empowerment  Programme, Business Development Manager, MEL-Advisor, Finance and Administration team,  other CST staff, HQ colleagues, partners and other stakeholders to:

1. Manage the Resilient Communities Programme that consists the long term resilient development programme, Climate action and the humanitarian preparedness and response programme. 

2. Responsible to integrate transformative gender practices and women’s empowerment theory into the Resilient Communities programming, as well as provides input through a resilience lens to the Women’s Empowerment Programme.

3. Lead and Promote triple Nexus approach and programmes  

Lead and Manage the Resilient Communities Programme

• In coordination with the Head of Programmes and Country Director manage the Resilient Communities Programme in line with the CST country strategy and CAFOD/SCIAF/Trócaire global priorities

Strategic Management

• Lead the development and implementation of the Resilient Communities programme strategy and framework in line with the country strategy, working to integrate long-term development initiatives (e.g. resilient livelihoods, natural resource management, climate change adaptation, Social cohesion programmes) and humanitarian preparedness and response initiatives

• Lead the development and implementation of the CST Humanitarian Strategy as a part of the RC programme

• Take a leadership role Nexus thinking, programming, and promote learning in all CST programme approaches 

• Ensure appropriate responses are made to emerging trends in country, including discussion with partners on strategies and programme modification if required

• In collaboration with the Women Empowerment Coordinator, ensure that women’s empowerment  as an approach is integrated into the Resilient Community Programme and that the Women’s Empowerment Programme integrates programming through a resilience lens

• Lead, guide and develop projects and proposals under the Resilient Communities programme, including actively seeking and pursing institutional funding opportunities

• Oversee to the development of CST’s Peacebuilding and Social cohesion strategy, efforts and initiatives 

• Ensure all Resilient Communities work is safe, accessible, dignified and inclusive

• Represent CST externally, working to build, develop and sustain relationships with relevant stakeholders, including the Ethiopian Catholic Church, donor and government agencies (including Irish Aid, DfID, UN OCHA, the EC, ECHO), government line ministries, local government, national networks including WASH cluster, ATF, etc., seeking opportunities for collaboration, influencing and programme funding, where applicable

Operational Management

• Manage and ensure effective delivery of high quality projects within agreed budgets, time frames and standards

• Ensure compliance with agreements, regulations and requirements for all RC programme work

• Coordinate, together with the MEL Advisor, proper monitoring, evaluation and learning for all RC programme work, including clear M&E plans

• Ensure proper reporting for all RC programme work, including donor reporting for institutionally funded projects; ensure all partner reports are reviewed and concrete feedback is provided to ensure high quality implementation and reporting

• Develop annual and quarterly work plans for the RC programme, ensuring the same for Humanitarian Response work, taking into account the changing context of Ethiopia

• Prepare and share monthly Humanitarian Situation updates and chair and convene Humanitarian Technical Working Group meetings, bringing together CST Ethiopia staff together with CAFOD, SCIAF and Trócaire HQ staff

• Support strong learning and knowledge management of CST’s existing and emerging practices on resilience programming, including integrated programming approaches, and identify and support new opportunities for research on the same

• Ensure appropriate technical guidance and other resources from CAFOD, SCIAF, and Trócaire  are embraced in the programme and shared with  partners to support programme quality and innovation

• Participate in Governance meetings for all projects under the Resilient programme.

• Participate in relevant Trocaire portfolio level programme managers meeting- primary focal person for Climate and Gender portfolio programme mangers meeting. 

• Manage and ensure internal systems compliance for the RC programme guaranteeing management information systems, i.e. Salesforce, programme, project and partner data is maintained and up to date; ensure internal approval, transfer and closure documents are prepared and approved and other necessary documentation is submitted and uploaded to Salesforce in a timely manner

• Conduct a meeting with the RC team based on the teaming agreement. 

• Ensure that Focal Person for Partners are managing their Partners based on the new way of managing partnership and deliver related tasks based on the strategy of Partnership and Localization.

Financial Management 

• Prepare and review annual RC programme and project budgets in a timely manner

• Ensure RC program and project budgets are managed effectively according to CST and donor policies, including delivery of the RC programme within agreed budgets, or instigate budget revisions according to evolving needs in line with CST’s and Ethiopia’s finance guidelines and procedures

• Develop relevant risk registers and monitor them in conjunction with the head of programmes. 

• Ensure all institutionally funded project comply with donor financial regulations and that all financial reports are submitted in a timely manner.

• Oversee partner financial profiles and reviews are carried out using Agresso in cooperation and collaboration with the finance team 

• Foster and ensure good stewardship over utilisation of all resources of the organisation

People and Partner Management

• Foster an effective, efficient and high-performing Resilient Communities team

• Lead, manage and support a team of direct reports under the RC programme (and staff under shared management arrangements), including setting objectives, conducting one to one meetings and annual performance development reviews, providing coaching and ensuring team members have individual development plans

• Oversee and support the work of Consultants, Programme Accompaniers, Technical Advisors, Programme Support Officers and consultants working on the CST Resilient Communities Programme.

• Develop, nurture and manage relationships with CST’s partner organisations in line with the principles and standards, working with partners to regularly assess the quality of the relationship, ensuring that effective communication channels are in place and that any shortcomings are addressed

• Coordinate the identification and delivery  of capacity needs and capacity development plans among programme partners, including organisational, financial and technical needs

• Ensure that key international humanitarian standards are known and used by partners including but not restricted to CHS, Sphere, LEGS, and Good Enough Guide.

• Ensure accountability to programme participants and that key corporate mainstreaming issues are understood and used by partners and humanitarian team, including but not restricted to protection mainstreaming, HIV/Aids, gender, downward accountability and conflict sensitive approaches

Other

• Undertake any and all other duties as may be assigned by the Country Director or Head of Programme that are consistent with the nature of the job, its level of responsibility and requirements of the CST country programme

Safeguarding Programme Participants-Children & Adults 

Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. More information on Trócaire’s safeguarding policies available here.

Diversity and inclusion

We welcome diverse applicants to join our inclusive workforce.

Trócaire is an equal opportunities employer. We are an organization that embraces diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to bring their experiences and perspectives to Trócaire. 

Diversity and Inclusion statement available here.

Division: International
Team: Resilient Communities Programme; CST Programme Team
Travel Overseas:  Required
Contract Duration: Fixed Term – 2 years
Location: Addis Ababa with frequent travel to program areas within Ethiopia

Job Requirements

Qualifications

• University Degree in development studies, social studies, humanitarian response, or other relevant field 

• Project Management Qualification

Experience

• At least five years of demonstrable experience in the management of development programmes of substantial scale, including in international settings. 

• At least three years’ experience of leading, managing or supporting teams in a multi-cultural environment.

• Strong team-working skills and experience and playing a leadership role in ensuring cohesiveness, inclusion, and development of staff at all levels.

• Demonstrated understanding and experience of resilience programming

• Demonstrated experience on leading quality humanitarian response programme/project experience. 

• Good understanding climate change issues and experience on climate action programmes

• Experience on Peace building and social cohesion programmes 

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience implementing humanitarian standards, including the Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere, LEGS, NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct and other regulatory codes. 

• Demonstrated understanding and experience of Ethiopian humanitarian programme contexts, including government processes and donor requirements

• Demonstrated understanding and experience on project design and Donor funded project management. 

• Familiarity with funding trends and requirements in particular around key humanitarian and development donors in Ethiopia.

• Fluency in one or more local languages

• Experience in Gender equality and or women empowerment related programme management

• Experience on Rapid Assessment, Emergency Preparedness Planning, Protection, Cash programming, Emergency Market Mapping Assessment, Post distribution Monitoring, etc.

• Experience working in partnerships with local Civil Society Organizations

• Experience working in and coordinating consortium project

Skills

• Influencing, Leadership and Staff Management skills required; 

• Ability to deliver at pace while managing competing priorities

• Demonstrated ability to work with multi-cultural teams of national and international staff well across geographic settings

• Highly organised, with excellent planning, prioritisation and problem-solving skills

• Outstanding writing skills in English, including proposals and reports

• Ability to train and build capacity of partner organisations 

• Effective networking skills and ability to coordinate with different stakeholders

• Excellent communication and change management skills. 

• Good understanding of Computer literacy, including Excel, Outlook and other planning, documentation systems common in the sector.

Qualities

• Strong commitment to principles of partnership, solidarity, social justice and localisation

• Commitment to Gender equality and women’s empowerment related programme management

• Good interpersonal relationships and teamwork skills in a multi-cultural environment

• Proactive, participatory and result oriented approach to work

• Excellent networking skills with the ability to establish good relationships, confident in engaging with colleagues, partners and stakeholders 

• Culturally sensitive and diplomatic 

• Willingness to travel, including independently 

• Self-motivated with proven ability to take initiative, prioritize tasks and work to deadlines 

• Flexible and adaptable 

• Accuracy and attention to detail

 Other

• Availability to work outside normal hours to meet deadlines and travel throughout Ethiopia and within the region and outside when necessary and sometimes on short notice.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants should apply through THIS LINK