Vacancy title:
Program Manager / Quality Assurance Advisor

Jobs at:
Catholic Relief Service (CRS)

Deadline of this Job:
Tuesday, October 9, 2018, at 5:00 pm.

Duty Station:
Kigali, Rwanda

Summary
Date Posted: 26th September 2018 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed , Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Company

JOB DETAILS:

CRS JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Program Manager / Quality Assurance Advisor
Department: Programming
Reports To: MEAL Advisor
Country/Location: Kigali, RWANDA

Background
As part of the universal mission of the Catholic Church, CRS works with local, national and international Catholic institutions and structures, as well as other organizations, to assist people on the basis of need, not creed, race or nationality. The primary goal of CRS/Rwanda programming is to ensure that vulnerable households in Rwanda achieve full, integral human development.

In this context, CRS is leading the implementation of the Integrated Nutrition and WASH Activity (INWA) locally referred as GIKURIRO, a five-year, USAID-funded initiative now in the second year of implementation which aims to improve the nutritional status of women of reproductive age and children under five, emphasizing the first 1,000 days of life between pregnancy and the child’s second birthday. In eight districts of Rwanda, Gikuriro is reinforcing the Government of Rwanda’s efforts towards its national goal of eliminating malnutrition, through targeted behavior change communication (BCC) for nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and through strengthening the capacity of government and local civil society organizations to implement key actions and strategies set out in the National Community-based Food and Nutrition Policy (CBF&NP) and the Community-based Environmental Health Promotion Program (CBEHPP).

The Quality Assurance Manager position has 60% level of effort (LOE) on ensuring Gikuriro interventions (especially Water and Sanitation) quality control standards are met and 40% LOE on MEAL activities for the program. The paragraphs following detail both the MEAL and Water component of the project that will be covered by this position.

Gikuriro project includes a robust and adaptable MEAL design which will work through existing systems for data collection and reporting. In addition to routine monitoring activities, annual survey data will be collected using ICT4D tools, and evaluations to assess the status quo and progress at baseline, midterm, and end line. Project learning will be advanced via regular quarterly reflection meetings and other activities, and partner and LCSO capacity will be strengthened through MEAL training, on-job training, joint supportive and appreciative inquiry. Gikuriro MEAL Team, including the Quality Assurance Manager, MEAL Advisor, Deputy MEAL Advisor, and MEAL Officers, will be responsible to ensure the development, coordination and smooth implementation of these activities.

On water component, The JMP 2017 report of Rwanda indicates use of 57% basic, 21% limited, 15% unimproved services and 8% surface water, confirming the need for additional efforts in these areas. Water quality and quantity have significant effects on nutrition outcomes. Gikuriro will be working with District Water Supply Officers to assess the availability and status of water sources in the eight districts of intervention. Gikuriro’s investment in water component include 1) technology upgrades to schemes, 2) repairs and rehabilitation, 3) new water systems. Based on identified needs, Gikuriro will be implementing water supply systems and rainwater catchment systems in schools. Gikuriro will be rehabilitating broken water sources instead of building a new system. Prior to starting construction activities, Gikuriro will coordinate with village level stakeholders to form and train community water committees to manage/collect fees, operations, maintenance and repairs of the water system built by the project. Gikuriro will be piloting community water kiosks (also called Small Water Enterprises) in promising locations, based on successes identified in recent research conducted by Huttinger (2017). Communities will be selected for the pilot taking into consideration sufficient water supply; consumer demand; price sensitivity; and production cost, as well as project-specific criteria. Given the complexity of developing and managing SWEs, Gikuriro will provide in-depth training to SWE Operators in collaboration with the District Water Supply Officers.

Job Summary:
Main Purpose of Position is to Develop and implement an integrated system to manage all aspects of Quality Assurance and Control activities within Gikuriro WASH expansion activity. In addition, The Quality Assurance Manager, will assure the design and effective implementation of Gikuriro MEAL components with a focus on the WASH expansion activity, supporting the strategic direction developed by Gikuriro team and providing supervision to WASH expansion activities and partners’ staff. S/he will coordinate timely data collection activities in the field, supervise WASH constructions/infrastructures and ensure Quality compliance, lead MEAL capacity building activities for WASH expansion activity staff and partners.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop Quality Assurance and Control Program to meet the requirements of the program.
  
• Develop methodologies to ensure compliance with industry best practice of Quality Assurance and Control for all aspects of Gikuriro construction programs including water sources and sanitation infrastructure.
  
• As part of the Gikuriro team, facilitate information flow between other managers, and other programming and program support departments;
  
• As needed, provide support and exchange ideas on quality control activities and planning with the program team
  
• Implement a compliant system for contractor evaluation and monitoring including tender process and review.
  
• Coordinate and maintain an on-going dialogue with the central, district and local authorities, DWASH boards and actively participate in developing and maintaining productive relationships with individual families and communities.
  
• Oversee the full implementation of a national and district team of Quality Assurance and Control inspectors to ensure compliance with agreed standards
  
• Accomplish site inspections to ensure that contract construction is in accordance with design specifications.
  
• Prepare field reports and maintain a filing system for proper and efficient project documentation.
  
• Evaluate the performance of contractors and issue notices of non-compliance when necessary
  
• Ensure that design concerns raised by contractors and district teams are raised to the program management team.
  
• Coordinate field data collection activities, maintaining a schedule of all routine monitoring activities as well as annual or periodic MEAL activities to be completed
  
• To continuously review quality processes, procedures, and capabilities in order to sustain the most cost-effective and efficient methods for meeting quality requirements and making a recommendation for improvement as appropriate.
  
• Supervise the rehabilitation/construction of the water supply and sanitation facilities
  
• Collaboration, planning, and coordination with government officials towards meeting the water and sanitation needs for communities based on the design of the program proposal.
  
• Implementation of projects in accordance with the Gikuriro WASH Program Development and Implementation Guidelines
  
• Work with Ministry staff and private partners to establish operation and maintenance regime to ensure sustainability.
  
• Together with WASH Manager and Ministry Officials, design and undertake training to Water User Committees taking into account existing Government training modules.
  
• Ensure optimal utilization of resources, cost-effectiveness, and accountability on site.
  
• Monitor the functioning of beneficiary accountability and feedback mechanisms.
  
• Coordinate and carry out joint monitoring visits to project sites.
  
• Conceptualize processes for systematic documentation of project successes and communication of successes/lessons learned with various stakeholders and, with MEAL Officer, ensure these processes are implemented.
  
• Coordinate with other Gikuriro support departments concerning all aspects of project implementation.
  

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Water Engineer, or related university degree with at least 5 years’ experience in the field.
  
• Minimum four (4) years’ experience in managing and implementing Water and Sanitation programs in rural and remote environments
  
• Strong rural as well as semi-urban, water and sanitation design and project management experience with a proven track record of successful teamwork.
  
• Familiarity with principles and current approaches to MEAL of development programs, using both quantitative and qualitative methods; substantial experience applying both types of methods
  
• Proficiency in analyzing, interpreting and communicating information to various stakeholders
  
• Understanding of USAID MEAL requirements, Environmental Mitigation and Management plan and policies; previous Water Engineer and MEAL experience for USAID projects is a plus.
  
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
  
• Ability to adapt to changing requirements
  
• Ability to work independently and in a team
  
• Previous experience working with local partner organizations in capacity strengthening roles
  
• Previous experience developing management information systems
  
• Demonstrated commitment to gender-responsive programming
  
• Fluency in English and French, written and spoken
  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to work well with people, good judgment and commitment to CRS’ mission
  
• Ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training
  
• Willingness to travel approximately 50% of the time to remote areas of the country
  
• Rwandan nationality
  

Key MEAL Competencies (specific for this position):

• MEAL in Design: Developing project-level Theories of Change, Results Frameworks, Proframes, related MEAL system tools, and components, and accompanying MEAL narratives.
  
• Monitoring: Implementing monitoring activities, including timely collection of quality data, set up and maintenance of databases, facilitation of participatory reflection on monitoring results, and submission of timely progress reports.
  
• Evaluation: Supporting project and program evaluations and reviews by ensuring the quality of evaluation methods, tools, and data and facilitating the use of evaluation results to inform decision-making and enhance learning
  
• Accountability: Improving our accountability to a range of stakeholders through increased participation, transparent communication, responsive feedback mechanisms and adherence to internal and external quality standards and requirements.
  
• Learning: Promoting excellent knowledge management and collaborative learning processes at the project, program and institutional levels, generating robust evidence for project and programmatic learning that leads to action, decision-making and influence.
  
• Analysis and Critical Thinking: Engaging with data, challenging biases and assumptions, posing thoughtful questions, pursuing deeper understanding of evidence through reflection and perspective-taking, and making informed programming decisions.
  
• ICT for MEAL: Applying knowledge on information and communication technologies (ICT), both hardware and software, for opportune and accurate data collection, database management, conducting
  
• MEAL Management: Managing financial and human resources in a way that optimizes the quality, effectiveness, and utility of MEAL systems.
  Required/Desired Foreign Language
  
• Strong oral and written skills in both English and French/Kinyarwanda.
  

Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory: None
Internal: Gikuriro Program Staff including WASH sub-team, Gikuriro MEAL Advisor, Gikuriro MEAL Officers, Deputy Chief of Party, Gikuriro Chief of Party; Regional Technical Advisor for MEAL, Regional/HQ WASH advisors

External: International and local partners, government offices and affiliated agencies, USAID M&E staff, potential consultants and TA providers.

Agency Behavioral Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
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.

• Integrity
  
• Accountability and Stewardship
  
• Builds relationships
  
• Develops talent
  
• Continuous Improvement and Innovation
  
• Strategic Mindset
  

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