Job Summary:

The Program Manager II/Unit Manager (UM) for Health, Nutrition and Social Services will ensure the operationalization of the Health and Nutrition Program Area in the CRS Malawi Country Program. The Unit Manager will oversee the entire Health unit, supervising project managers (PMs) within the unit. Working through partner networks, CRS Health-Program Area aims to strengthen local health systems to meet the health needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. This strategic objective is based on CRS’ guiding principle of stewardship and is achieved by strengthening capacity to generate and effectively use the full range of resources available to provide health services – human resources, funds, medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, data and information – ensuring that these resources are deployed justly and equitably. He/she will ensure health programs in Malawi provide equitable access to healthcare and, ultimately, better health outcomes for the poor and vulnerable, as articulated in the Health Program Area.

The PMII/UM will take a lead role in providing technical support, guidance, and training to staff implementing health programs to ensure the programs are implemented in a timely, sustainable manner. Project management is a second key responsibility of the position, ensuring that PMs implement their projects responsibly with on-time procurements, close follow-up on partner advances, and spending in line with the implementation plan.

The PMII/UM will report to the Head of Programs but will liaise with the Technical Advisors at regional and HQ levels. The location for this position is Lilongwe, Malawi.

• Supervise assigned staff to ensure effective and efficient implementation of project activities
• Provide newly hired PMs with adequate support to learn and apply CRS policies and procedures
• Oversee the timely preparation of high-quality progress reports, program reports, and donor reports
• Monitor Health PMs’ budgets on project spending and procurement of materials and closely monitor monthly spending on all budgets.
• Plan out department leave time and ensure adequate coverage of PMs in their absence
• Oversee Health staff field travel and compile travel plans monthly
• Mentor and coach staff promptly, working with them to develop performance and development plans in line with the CRS Performance Management System
• Organize quarterly TWGs for Health PMs and partners, including
• Plan out annual SRFMP visits in consultation with PMs and with the safeguarding focal point person/Compliance department
• Provide technical support and supervision to CRS staff in health and nutrition program activities.
• Contribute to the design and development of proposals; drafting, reviewing, and editing
• Provide technical guidance to ensure new project proposals are consistent with best practices and standards.
• Collaborate with other departments (Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning unit, Agriculture & Livelihoods) to ensure effective program integration.
• Provide technical assistance to all relevant partners with primary focus on areas of Health and Nutrition, MEAL as well as financial management.
• Provide technical support and guidance to ensure compliance with relevant CRS, donor, and national government policies, regulations, and procedures throughout the project cycle for all assigned projects
• Document best practices of Child and Maternal Health and Nutrition, especially in relation to Early Childhood Development, Gender issues, and integrated approaches to address malnutrition.
• Review reports to donors and other stakeholders to ensure that they are of high quality and according to established standards and timelines
• Review and update systems of reporting, monitoring and targeting in consultation with the MEAL Unit.
• Facilitate and develop specific strategic targets for each year for implementing partners and undertake this exercise to cover the three years of the program.
• Establish functional relationships to share and learn from each other on relevant implementation lessons, approaches, and technical innovations.
• Facilitate and develop appropriate health and nutrition performance indicators as well as guidelines to enhance the quality of implementation.
• Ensure programmatic adherence, monitoring and reporting through regular site visits, review and approval of annual work plans/budgets, and effective and timely partner reporting comprising accurate and reliable data, reflecting appropriate focus and priorities.
• Track performance progress for all projects as assigned.
• Liaise with the MEAL unit for appropriate support in MEAL to design and undertake specific surveys, project evaluations and targeted impact assessment studies.
• Use MEAL information to make project management decisions on a timely basis.
• Establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with government authorities, partner agencies, NGOs, and CBOs
• Participate in cross-visits with relevant Technical Working Group members.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
• MEAL skills and experience required.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

• Master’s degree in health, Nutrition or related field plus five years’ relevant professional experience
• Minimum three years’ professional experience planning, managing, monitoring, and evaluating Health and Nutrition programs
• Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan, and manage programs, as well as to impart knowledge and teaching skills.
• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors.
• Demonstrated ability to write high-quality technical proposals.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations