Project Manager- Disability Inclusion 407 views

Job Title: Project Manager- Disability Inclusion
Reports to: Program Quality Manager
Department: Programming
Salary Grade: 9

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners, people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. 

CRS has worked in The Gambia since 1964. Over the years, CRS’ focus shifted from direct relief and food distributions to a comprehensive development program that works with partners and enhances the local capacity. CRS The Gambia program now supports, community-based efforts to increase household incomes, improve family health and sanitation, education, and enhance agricultural livelihoods. 

CRS is anticipating funding from the European Union (EU) to implement a project on Advancing the Rights of Persons with Disability in The Gambia. 

Recognizing the socio-economic challenges faced by families of children with disabilities, the project seeks to take a holistic approach by enhancing early intervention services, training rehabilitation workers, and providing critical assistive devices such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and communication tools to project participants, including Children Living with Disability.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Design, lead, manage and oversee the implementation of all activities throughout relevant project cycles – project design, start-up, implementation and close-out – to ensure efficient and effective implementation as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, diversity inclusion commitments, donor requirements, and good practices.
•  Participate in annual planning processes.
• Work with the MEAL team to roll out the disability assessment activities in The Gambia
• Help the MEAL team to ensure disability inclusion in the midterm review, regular reflection exercises and in any final evaluation
• Manage and implement all disability inclusion activities throughout relevant project cycles – project design, start-up, implementation and close-out – to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. Ensure project team and partner staff use the appropriate systems and tools.
• Deliver and coordinate specialized services for Persons with Disabilities, especially Community-Based Rehabilitation services for Children and Adults with Disabilities.
• Bring technical support in implementing the DIP initiatives and activities in close collaboration with local disability organizations, implementing partners and service providers (both public and private) at different levels. 
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Champion learning and documentation with DIP project staff and partner teams. 
• Analyze and evaluate DIP project performance data following MEAL policy. 
• Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles. 
• Work with the MEAL team to effectively monitor and evaluate the quality of the DIP program by focusing on providing timely, accurate and inclusive data 
• Act as a key resource person in project design and proposal development in disability inclusion area, gap-filling and taking on growth responsibilities, as needed.
• Coordinate the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and capacity strengthening and required disability inclusion interventions to support quality project implementation. 
• Help identify, assess and strengthen partnerships relevant inclusive education and support systems applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Coordinate and monitor financial and material resources relevant to DIP project needs. Through planning and oversight ensure efficient use of project resources
• Participate in CRS staff meetings at the country and global level as required, including global learning webinar
• Represent CRS disability work in online communities of practice, knowledge exchanges and other events as required

Basic Qualifications

• Masters Degree required. A degree in Special Education, Social Work, Public Health, or in the field of disability inclusion would be a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of disability inclusion and for an NGO.
• Experience working with organizations of persons with disabilities and relevant government ministries 
• Experience delivering training/mentorship on disability inclusion to NGOs and community volunteers
• Experience developing or delivering disability awareness and anti-stigma campaigns 
• Experience identifying and addressing participation barriers of people with disabilities, a plus 

Required Languages – Oral and written fluency in English and at least one local language. 

Travel -. Must be willing and able to travel up country up to 50 %.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Track-record of working with and promoting the participation of people with disabilities 
• Familiarity with the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities 
• Understanding of disability-inclusive development practices
• Familiarity with disability identification and assessment tools 
• Familiarity with principles of accessibility 
• Analysis and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Project management experience in inclusion is highly desirable.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations.
• Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.
• MEAL skills and experience preferred.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Agency-wide 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 
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships 
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: CRS EU Disability Inclusion Senior Project Officer, CRS Program Quality Manager, CRS Finance Manager, CRS EU Project Grant Accountant

External: EU and other external stakeholders, Private Sector Providers, Community, and relevant Government departments, disability organizations

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

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

Deadline – December 31^st 2024

Applications should be submitted by email to: GM_HR@crs.org with the subject; APPLICATION FOR THE POSITION OF PROJECT MANAGER – DISABILTIY INCLUSION.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.