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 has been active in Ghana since 1958 and is currently implementing programs in the areas of Health and Agriculture/Livelihoods.

Mission Statement:

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We are motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching as we act to:

•   Promote human development by responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies; and,
•   Serve Catholics in the United States as they live their faith in solidarity with their brothers and sisters around the world.

Background

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has been working in Ghana since 1958 in Health, Agriculture, Peace Building, Water and Sanitation, Microfinance and Education programs.  A United States based Foundation has approved the CRS Ghana’s Rural Emergency Health Service and Transport (REST) Project for a period of three years.

Purpose

The REST Project Coordinator will lead a team of Community Mobilization and Monitoring Evaluation Specialists as well as Field Officers for a three year intervention that will improve access to health care facilities for rural health facilities

Key Responsibilities

•   Provide dynamic leadership, technical support and team coordination to the REST team and implementing partners (the Ghana Health Service).
•   Ensure for optimal project quality and efficient delivery of REST activities according to the decisions made by senior management of CRS Country Program and the Regional Technical Advisor for Maternal and Child Health.
•   Ensure that Ghana Health Service pursue a project of continual learning, documenting and capitalizing on REST experiences.
•   Represent the REST project at the district, regional and nationally to Government, decentralized authorities, NGOs, private sector, etc, and to existing and potential donors as appropriate.
•   Ensure the security and efficient management of all REST resources, equipment and documentation linked to the project.
•   Ensure the efficient use of the human and financial resources available to REST to deliver on the project targets.
•   Provide an effective reporting interface with Ghana Health Service at the Regional and District levels.
•   Develop and lead the successful networking of Maternal and Child Health actors engaged in the water, hygiene and sanitation sector.
•   Participate in the recruitment and evaluation consultants for the REST Project within the framework of CRS policies and regulations.
•   Facilitate and oversee the dissemination of best practices and lessons learned from the REST Project sites locally and nationally as a way of facilitating the visibility of the REST model and the donor.

Management and Administration

•   Manage project budgets, including tracking of financial and material resources.
•   Ensure accurate and timely reporting of program finances and progress status, review actual financial performance against the budget, and explain variances on a regular basis.
•   Ensure staff compliance with all CRS administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations.
•   Approve project expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors.

Representation and Advocacy

•   Provide overall leadership and oversight to the project implementation, ensuring that partners and field staff adhere to their assigned scopes of work and memorandum of understanding/agreements, and ensuring all members of the REST implementation team work cooperatively and productively to achieve project objectives.
•   Act as primary project contact and representative, taking responsibility for addressing all program matters, collaborating with the CRS Country Representative, the Head of Programs and the Health Program Manager on overall partner and donor relationships.
•   Strengthen linkages with existing and potential partner agencies, in collaboration with CRS Country Representative, Head of Programming and the Health Program Manager.
•   Oversee program communication strategies, in collaboration with CRS Country Representative and Head of Programming, including compliance with donor's branding and marketing requirements as well as CRS marketing and communication procedures.

Human Resource Management:

•   Lead, manage and supervise a team of CRS and consortium staff to meet program objectives.
•   Conduct 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.

Other Duties/Assignments

Carry out any other duties/assignments as shall from time to time be directed by the Health Program Manager, the Head of Programs or Country Representative.

Key Working Relationships

Internal

•   Country Representative, Head of Programs, Health Program Manager and Finance Manager, CRS/Ghana REST Team, Regional technical Advisor for Maternal and Child Health/Nutrition

External

•   Donor representatives, Steering committee members, local Government officials  (national, regional and district levels, District  and Regional Health Management Teams)
•   Local and international Non-Governmental actors in Nutrition, Maternal and Newborn care
•   Health and Nutrition Sector Organizations

Competencies

•   Set clear goals and  work  towards achieving them
•   Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders
•   Manages financial resources with integrity
•   Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning

Agency-Wide Competencies

•   Upholds a Spirit of Service and Integrity
•   Cultivates Constructive and Collegial Relationships
•   Models Principled Stewardship
•   Promotes continuous learning and innovation

Note: List of responsibilities, professional and personal skills are considered indicative and not exhaustive; actual duties may differ or change depending on office and agency priorities at the time.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   A Master’s Degree in Public Health, Community Health and Development, other related discipline.
•   Minimum 4 years progressively increasing supervisory responsibility and technical experience in  positive deviant and Triple A strategies, community based data demand and use strategies, community emergency transport systems(CETS) and the use of ICT for data collection and transmission
•   Demonstrated knowledge of the water and sanitation institutional framework in Ghana
•   Knowledge of research methodology and dissemination
•   Minimum of 3 years of work experience in development projects preferably in MCH project planning, monitoring and evaluation, at a supervisory level.
•   Proven knowledge and first hand relationships with Ghana Health Service at the Regional, District and Sub-district levels
•   Proven team coordination skills and ability to work independently; Excellent interpersonal and supervisory skills.
•   Proven analytical skills, demonstrated creativity in analysis of situations and data
•   Strong leadership skills, including strategic thinking, problem solving, effective communication and negotiating skills.
•   Ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams.
•   Proven experience in managing consortium or partnership relationships in a participatory way required.
•   Proven track record in building relationships with governmental organizations, private sector and community organizations required.
•   Strategic vision and capacity to oversee a multi-sectoral program involving multiple partners required.
•   Public relations skills required.
•   Proven experience in budgeting and budget management.
•   Excellent oral and written communication skills, cultural sensitivity, ability to work with people, good judgment and commitment to the Agency's mission
•   Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, Internet, etc.).
•   Willingness to travel in-country and internationally as required by the Agency.

Location: Tamale

How To Apply For The Job

To apply for this position, please submit your CV and letter of interest to:

GH_jobs@global.crs.org

Application must be saved with this format:- Application.CV. (Name). REST Project Coordinator

Closing Date: 08 December, 2012

•   Female candidates meeting position requirements are strongly encouraged to apply
•   CRS is an equal opportunity employer.