Turkey: Chief of Party (CoP) -- Agricultural Livelihoods

CRS/Turkey - Syria Emergency Response Program

Position Title: Chief of Party (CoP) -- Agricultural Livelihoods

Dept/Location: Flexible home base location/TBD (50%);50% time in Turkey

Reports To: Head of Programs

Supervises: Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP)

Context:

Catholic Relief Services began its operations in Turkey in November 2012 in response to the growing humanitarian needs of the conflict-affected vulnerable population in Syria and refugees in Turkey.

In Turkey, CRS is working in partnership with two local partners to implement programming that provides children and parents with access to psychosocial services, information and opportunities to foster a sense of belonging and well-being in Turkey.

In Syria, CRS is working through local partners to implement multi-sectoral activities including 1) critical food assistance to vulnerable families through both in-kind food baskets and vouchers; 2) support to small farmers through training and vouchers to purchase key agricultural inputs; 3) water access and improved community hygiene through rural water rehabilitation projects and hygiene promotion activities; 4) light and moderate upgrades to shelters for vulnerable families who are living in inadequate or unsafe structures; and 5) immediate non-food item support in response to seasonal needs and acute displacements.

Primary responsibility:
The Chief of Party (CoP) will manage the implementation of the 3-year USAID-funded "Strengthening Agricultural Livelihoods in Syria" program. The program will provide livelihoods support to 9,500 rural households in agro-ecological zones 3 and 4 in Syria by helping increase production and productivity of four key products that have both food security and market potential: poultry, livestock (sheep/ goats), barley and homestead garden vegetables. The program will take an adaptive learning approach, with the team conducting regular, detailed community-level assessments to inform program design, activity adaptation, and strategic decision making over the course of the 3-year program.

Under the supervision of the Head of Programs, the CoP will provide overall team management, technical direction, relationship management and coordination with USAID, administrative coordination, operations oversight, and external partner relations for the USAID program. The CoP will directly supervise the Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP), who in turn will supervise the agriculture/livelihoods program team inside Syria. Due to the current security situation, the CoP will provide remote monitoring to the program and will focus with the DCoP on building the program management capacity of the cross-border staff under their supervision. The CoP will work closely with the CRS programming staff within the CRS/Turkey Country Program and the Europe, Middle East, Central Asia (EMECA) region, particularly the Technical Advisers for Agriculture/Livelihoods and the Markets team from the Humanitarian Response Department (HRD).

Job Responsibilities:

Program Quality

• Ensure that the program's strategic objectives and results are fully accomplished and meet the expected technical quality standards.
• Ensure that the vision and plans for the program are innovative and are in line with USAID, CRS agency and country program strategies.
• Oversee periodic technical reviews and, in coordination with USAID, implement any necessary changes in program direction and focus.
• Provide guidance and technical oversight to staff to ensure that lessons of sound practice are documented and disseminated.
• Oversee program's monitoring and evaluation system, using data analysis as the basis for measuring performance. Ensure that M&E learning is incorporated into evolving program plans.
• Ensure integration of program interventions with other CRS programs or through linkages with other service providers.
• Ensure the delivery of quality training, including the selection and coordination of consultants.

Management and Administration

• Manage program budgets, including tracking of financial and material resources. Regularly review program budgets and expenditure reports to ensure proper stewardship and accountability.
• 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 full compliance with all USG rules and regulations and CRS administrative and operational procedures and policies.
• Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to USAID.

Representation

• In collaboration with the CRS/Turkey Country Representative and Head of Programs, act as the primary program contact to USAID and other local and international stakeholders. Regularly meet with USAID and other stakeholders to provide program updates, review plans and discuss potential adjustments based on prevailing conditions.
• In collaboration with the Country Representative and Head of Programs, strengthen linkages with existing and potential peer agencies. Explore opportunities for partnership with other actors to ensure optimal program quality and overall impact.
• In collaboration with the Country Representative and Head of Programs, oversee program communication strategies and the dissemination of reports and other key learning outputs.

Staff Supervision and Human Resource Management

• Lead, manage and supervise a team of CRS staff to meet program objectives.
• Conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with CRS' performance management system.
• Provide quality mentoring and coaching of the DCoP and other program staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork. Ensure opportunities for continued professional growth through internal/external trainings, collaboration with technical experts, on-the-job learning, and other mechanisms.
• Manage recruitment portfolio for the program, in collaboration with Human Resources and CRS country program management, to ensure optimum service delivery through recruitment of competent and qualified staff.

Emergency Competencies:

Each CRS staff member working in emergencies is expected to use the following competencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

• Communicates strategically under pressure
• Manages stress and complexity
• Actively promotes safety and security
• Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs

Key Relationships:

Internal: Deputy Chief of Party, Program Staff, Head of Programs, Head of Operations, Country Representative, Finance Manager, Deputy Head of Programs, Program Managers, Procurement/Administration team, Regional Technical Advisors and staff, Humanitarian Response Department staff.

External: USAID, Other INGOs/LNGOs operating in Turkey/ Syria, UN agency representatives, FSL Cluster, government officials, other donor representatives.

Qualifications and Skills:

1. Minimum Masters Degree in Development Studies, International Relations, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics or related field required. PhD valued but not required.
2. 7-10 years of progressively responsible management experience required, with significant experience managing USG-funded programs.
3. Knowledge of key USG regulations including, but not limited to USAID 22 CFR Part 226 Administration of Assistance Awards to U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations, 22 CFR Part 145 Grants and Agreements with Non-Profits, OMB Circulars A-122, Cost principles for non-profit organizations and A-133 Audit of states, local governments, and non-profits preferred.
4. Proven leadership and inter-personal skills and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams.
5. Proven experience in building and maintaining institutional linkages required.
6. Experience with participatory methods and partnerships required.
7. Experience with remote management and programming in conflict environments highly valued.
8. Public relations skills required.
9. Proven ability to think strategically.
10. Flexibility to work both in a team and independently.
11. Cultural sensitivity, patience and flexibility.
12. Demonstrated personal accountability and driven to serve others.
13. Home base location is flexible and will be negotiated with the selected candidate. Expected to spend considerable time (around 50%) in Turkey with the Turkey-based program team. Actual travel commitments will fluctuate based on the program cycle, the candidate's familiarity with the team and operating context, Turkish regulatory requirements, and other factors.
14. Excellent English language oral and written communication skills required. Arabic language helpful but not required.
15. Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook required.

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

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Apply online- https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/nghome.guid?c=1161051&d=External&r=5000229132506