Kosovo Position

Title: Program Manager: Sony Schools and Urban Development
Supervisor: Sector Coordinator: Infrastructure
Location: Mitrovica, Kosovo
Duration: 1 year

Job Summary

The Program Manager (PM) is responsible for overseeing the successful implementation of the Sony Program. The Program consists of three components; school rehabilitation, support to the urban planning office, and liaison with the CRS youth development program. Based in Mitrovica, the PM works closely with project staff, other organizations, and Mission staff to ensure cost-effective, timely, and result-based management and implementation of the Program. He/She is responsible for carrying out planning to meet program goals and objectives, implementing the program in accordance with project documents and CARE/Kosovo procedures and principles, and monitoring program and staff performance. He/She supervises program staff, identifies staff development and training needs, and interacts closely with donors and beneficiaries to solicit input and feedback on strategies. The Program Manager should have strong decision-making and problem solving skills, and excellent reporting skills. The PM provides technical direction to the program, and ensures that the technical skills required for the program are present among staff and consultants. He/She is also responsible for tracking program budgets and overall control of program resources.

Functional Responsibilities

Responsible for effective program implementation

Oversees program staff

Coordinates with donors and other organizations

Budget tracking, resource allocation, and reporting

Monitoring and evaluation of program

Assists with identification of new projects and proposal development

Specific Tasks

Responsible for effective program implementation

• Plans and implements program activities and ensures that components are coordinated
• Provides technical oversight and monitors activities in the field
• Solicits feedback from staff and program participants and makes necessary adjustments
• Tracks program progress in relation to objectives and work plan. Identifies potential problems and implements solutions to those problems.
• Makes decisions regarding program implementation and identifies areas for future programming or additional activities, as appropriate.

Oversees program staff

• Responsible for performance management of program staff
• Coaches and guides staff to fulfill program mandates and perform to their maximum ability
• Identifies staff development and training needs and makes arrangements to meet those needs
• Ensures that program organization and structure is adaptable and leads to effective implementation

Coordinates with donors and other organizations

• Keeps in contact with donors and addresses their concerns.
• Coordinates activities with similar activities undertaken by other organizations. This includes close coordination with CRS, which is implementing a youth development/conflict resolution project in SONY schools.
• Ensures that program is in line with accepted school and urban development strategies in the Province.
• Attends regular coordination meetings in Mitrovica and Pristina.

Budget tracking, resource allocation, and reporting

• Tracks budget expenditures and line item spending in conjunction with Finance Department staff.
• Identifies budget shortfalls/overages and advises on budget revisions where appropriate
• Allocates program resources and is responsible for ensuring that resources are used effectively
• Prepares reports for Mission Management and for donors on a regular basis as per program proposal. Prepares special reports on selected topics as appropriate. Keeps donors and Mission up-to-date on progress.

Monitoring and evaluation of project

• Prepares overall monitoring and evaluation strategy for program
• Makes arrangements to track program progress in terms of outputs, deliverables, and impacts.
• Establishes baseline data, targets, and indicators for program tracking.
• Identifies improved program strategies through the collection and analysis of program monitoring data.

Assists with identification of new projects and proposal development

• Contributes ideas and strategies for new projects in the field of infrastructure or other related fields.
• Reviews project proposals in related fields and provides input as required.
• Develops strategies for no-cost extension of program (if required) as well as ideas for possible follow-on projects
• Participates as member of infrastructure team to review and revise infrastructure sector strategies and develop new strategies.

Key Contacts and Relationships

Reports to the Infrastructure Sector Coordinator in Pristina. Takes technical support from the Infrastructure team based in Pristina. Works closely with other PMs and with the Area Coordinator in Mitrovica. Keeps close contact with counterparts from other organizations engaged in similar work. Maintains close ties to groups on both the North and South of Mitrovica AOR.

Working Conditions

Based at CARE field office in Mitrovica.

Housing provided by CARE .

Responsibilities often dictate working long hours, weekends, and holidays

Frequent field travel within Mitrovica region, to both the North and the South sides

Uncertain security situation. Qualifications

Strong technical background in urban planning, engineering, architecture, or a related field. Must be capable of forging and maintaining strong relationships with different ethnic groups and a wide range of local institutions.

3-5 years experience as a project manager. Specific experience with urban projects desirable. Skills in conflict resolution and capacity building desirable.

Excellent report-writing and communication skills.

Experienced problem-solver and decision maker

Collaborative and participatory management style.

Strong staff development, coaching, and mentoring skills.

Ability to interact clearly and effectively with donors and other organizations.

Excellent organizational skills and experience with budgets and tracking project resources.

Please apply to Ajeta Salihu, Human Resources Officer, CARE International - Kosovo at [email protected].

Last updated:    June 2000

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