Job Title: Program Manager I – Cash 

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Department: JEOP

Job grade: 9

Reports To: Program Manager II– Cash 

Number required: 1(one)

Term of employment: Definite term (i.e. up to March 30, 2027)

Country/Location:   CRS Ethiopia

The Joint Emergency Operation (JEOP)

JEOP is an emergency food assistance mechanism which targets transitory food insecure households through a participatory Vulnerability-Based Targeting (VBT) process. JEOP supports addressing the emergency needs outlined in the GoE’s Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) through both cash and commodity modalities. It has been operational for a decade, serving a fluctuating caseload of 1.5 to over 6 million people annually. Led by CRS, JEOP consortium includes CARE, Food for the Hungry Ethiopia (FHE), Organization for Rehabilitation and Development (ORDA -Ethiopia), Relief Society of Tigray (REST), and World Vision Ethiopia (WV); CRS implements through local Catholic Church partners, Hararghe Catholic Secretariat (HCS) and Meki Catholic Secretariat (MCS). More recently, the consortium has attracted GOAL Ethiopia to support the implementation of nutrition response. CRS and partners are implementing JEOP response across woredas in Amhara, Oromia, South Ethiopia, Sidama, Tigray, Afar and Dire Dawa City Administration.

Job Summary: 

You will Manage cash programming within the JEOP.  You will provide technical advice and CVA program design and implementation support to a range of JEOP Consortium Members during the scaling up of Market-based programming that includes market and cash feasibility assessments and response activities related to Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), food security and nutrition programming. In line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices, the Programme Manager supports JEOP Program teams and consortium members to advance the delivery of high-quality market-based programming to the poor and vulnerable impacted by humanitarian crises. As needed/requested, you will contribute to the development or review of existing CVA SOP, resources and/or tools to strengthen or build capacity and mainstream market-based programming within the JEOP, including cash and voucher assistance, AAR and best practices, internally within CRS and with partners. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the JEOP Consortium delivers a high-quality cash response and continuously work towards improving the impact of food assistance.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Work with consortium members to facilitate the implementation of food and nutrition cash response activities relevant project cycle – assessments, contribute to the project design, plan and implement in close collaboration with the local government and partners, close-out - to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. Ensure cash response team utilize the appropriate systems and tools.

• Participate and support JEOP consortium members market assessment including rapid and market monitoring assessments to gather and analyse data that supports cash programming decisions. Participate in joint assessments. 

• Effectively manage talent and supervise - Manage related cash team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.

• Support implementing partners to ensure JEOP standards and CRS guiding principles, program quality standards and donor requirements are met throughout the implementation of cash transfer.

• Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cash assistance programs, ensuring adherence to humanitarian standards, donor requirements, and quality compliance, while collaborating with partners and Financial Service Providers (FSPs).

• Provide ongoing training, support, and monitoring to ensure SOP implementation, fostering coordination and continuous improvement across partners and stakeholders.

• Work closely with the JEOP Consortium to ensure a good understanding of needs, market feasibility assessments, are conducted in line with agreed processes, and with close coordination of the cash working group and cash related task force eg. cash for nutrition task force etc.

• Champion learning with CRS and JEOP consortium staff. Organize after action learning events and closely collaborate with the MEAL team to analyze and evaluate project performance data following MEAL policy. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.

• Contribute and provide information in support of project design and proposal development in food assistance, gap-filling, and taking on growth responsibilities, as needed.

• Proactively coordinate the identification of JEOP consortium member capacity and technical assistance needs and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality programme implementation.

• Ensure proper documentation and record-keeping for cash transfer activities at both CRS and partner levels, contributing to a well-organized system that includes, but is not limited to, VBT lists, MBL, payroll, daily and monthly distribution summary reports, bank instruction letters, and other key documents, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and compliance with organizational and donor requirements.

• Ensure adherence to humanitarian standards and efficient resource use through effective planning, monitoring, oversight, and alignment with project goals, timelines, and donor requirements.

• Coordinate with cash actors including through participation in relevant national or sub-national working groups, clusters and working groups. Work with others to ensure timely distribution of cash assistance to targeted project participants, including timely preparation and approval of recipient master beneficiary payment lists. Ensure JEOP Consortium approaches (such as timely data to support modality selection, transfer values, etc.) are aligned with country recommendations and with other actors.

Job Requirements

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Degree in International Development, social science, economics, International Relations or in the field of Food Security required with four years of experience or Bachelor degree and 6 years of experience in cash programming. Additional experience may substitute for years of education.

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant field-based, hands-on cash assistance experience in the designing, planning and delivery of humanitarian cash assistance, market feasibility assessments, risk analysis, collaboration and coordinating cash assistance, or managing light to moderately complex projects required, preferably with an international NGO.

• Experience working in emergency or recovery programming.

Required Languages - English. Amharic and other local language abilities desirable.

• Travel - Position is based in Addis Ababa. Must be willing and able to travel up to 40% to JEOP Operation areas including hard to reach areas.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.

• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.

• Strong analytical and writing skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports.

• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project management experience in emergency cash programming is highly desirable.

• Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.

• Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning skills and experience preferred.

• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing applications, information management systems.

• Understanding of digital cash-based programing including Red Rose system, mobile money transfer etc.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal and Partner: CRS Country team, in-country technical staff, MEAL Manager, Technical Advisors including HRD, JEOP consortium members, cash team, JEOP management, Head of Operations, Finance Manager, Procurement Manager, Human Resources Manager, Partner Staff, and other technical advisors. 

External: Government and Key coordination forums. 

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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. 

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.

• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.

• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.

• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.

• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.

• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.

• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

How to Apply

If you are ready to take on this rewarding opportunity and make a difference in the lives of others, you may fill out the application form through THIS LINK and attach your up-to-date CV on/before the application deadline on December 19, 2024. You will be contacted only if selected for a written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted, and these job opportunities are open to Ethiopian nationals only. 

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