Catholic Relief Services

Europe/Middle East Region

Job Description

Position Title: Project Manager

Functional Group: Country Program/Cairo Office
Project: UNHCR Refugee Assistance Project
Band: 3
Annual Compensation(in 13 Months): Range From EGP 64892 to EGP 110318
Geographic Scope: Egypt
Location: CRS Main Office in Maadi
Reports to: Head of Programming
Supervisory Responsibilities: 5-6 staff members and 2-3 volunteers

Background
CRS/Egypt country program began in 1956 at the invitation of then Egyptian president Nasser by
providing relief assistance to the victims of the Suez War. Over the following few decades,
CRS/Egypt moved from large-scale food relief to long-term poverty alleviation and development
programs. CRS/Egypt is involved in the following sectors: microfinance, refugees assistance,
environment, avian flu, HIV/Aids, youth civic education and women empowerement. For the
seventh consecutive year, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has successfully collaborated with the
United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in helping to address the basic needs
of the most destitute and vulnerable refugees in Egypt.

In the coming year of 2008, the education assistance for children of refugees families living in
Cairo and Alexandria is expected to reach 7,000 children. A balanced proportion of girls and
boys will receive school fees and receive education from regular public, private and refugee
schools in Egypt. The major responsibility of this position is to manage the various steps from
registration, contact with schools and payment of fess through bank branches located in various
parts of Egypt where families are located. This is a very demanding work and requires skills in
planning and timely delivery, meeting strict deadlines and ensuring accountability.

Job Summary
Under the supervision and guidance of the HOP and in close cooperation with other POs and
MQO working, the PO will assume responsibility for working with project staff, school
administrations, banks and the beneficiaries in support of the awarded sub-grant. The PM will
lead subgrant-related planning and implementation, timely and accurate reporting to HOP and to
the donor, and representation to governmental and nongovernmental organizations. The PM will
organize and oversee the implementation of the subgrant, and provide technical support to staff
and to Community Based Associations engaged in the project as needed. The PM will work as
part of the CRS/Egypt management team led by the HOP and will assume full responsibility for
planning, designing and implementing UNHCR’s (sub) grant.
The PM will be the focal point for communication with the donor on this project and related
activities. He/she will directly supervise the daily operations of the project, supervise staff
members and prepare regular updates, monthly and quarterly reports. He/she will design and
supervise the outreach to refugees and asylum seekers eligible for the project participation.
He/she will lead the planning and implementation of the interviewing process, will liaise with
UNHCR on the eligibility of the applicants, ensure timely disbursement to the students,
coordinate and ensure the quality of the bank documentation and follow up with beneficiaries at
the schools and CBAs. He/she will also be responsible for designing and implementation of
awareness and integration activities at the schools and in dealing with schools management and
parents associations in schools attended by refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt. The Program
Manager is also expected to contribute with new ideas and initiatives for the development of this
project and other related projects.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Plan and oversee project implementation on a timely and efficient manner;

2. Provide technical leadership to CRS/Egypt and partners in the project specified area;
3. Facilitate, organize and oversee project activities including research, personal assistance
service set up, capacity building, awareness raising training and regular monitoring;
4. Undertake donor liaison in support of senior management;
5. Occasionally host donor representatives or CRS visitors;
6. Ensure quality monitoring and evaluation of project performance indicators and the
achievement of target results;
7. Establish working relationships with schools administration and parents associations,
whenever possible;
8. Supervise and approve the preparation process of the refugee database and the
preparation of bank lists for cash disbursement for the applicants;
9. Prepare financial and narrative reports for UNHCR and CRS in a timely manner;
10. Establish and maintain excellent collaborative working relationships with donors and
partners;
11. Support partners in organization, set-up and functioning, if applicable;
12. Mediate as necessary among actors during project life;
13. Provide technical assistance to staff, partners, as needed;
14. Timely reporting to HOP/ and Country Representative as per reporting schedule;
15. Coordinate with country-based local-level activities in support of the project, including
seminars, trainings and conferences as needed;
16. Advise management about issues affecting project implementation, or key local
issues/opportunities affecting future project developments;
17. Advise on additional support required from existing CRS skill resources or otherwise for
individual projects;
18. Supervise and coordinate activities with local offices;
19. Represent CRS at project milestone events;
20. Represent CRS and the project to various internal audiences in relevant local offices;
21. Seek, establish and maintain external relationships that will be beneficial to the project;
 22. Provide support to other CRS projects as needed;
23. Manage CRS efforts with a variety of partners in assigned country area to promote
durable solutions;
24. Participate in public forums and working groups and track the issues related to the
specific project and drive CRS efforts to inform policies and strategies;
25. Manage CRS efforts to work with partners and other actors, including in research,
advocacy and services;
26. Develop administration and filing systems for the project to ensure proper documentation
of the project;
27. Take part in managers, team meetings, program and staff meetings;
28. Actively participate in the design and implementation of CRS projects;
29. Participate in information sharing and transferring skills and knowledge with other CRS
EME offices;
30. Other temporarily jobs that might arise as stated in the contract.

Key Working Relationships

Supervisory: 5-6 staff member and 2/3 volunteers
Internal: Management Quality Officer, HOP, Country Representative; CRS local office;
Regional Technical Advisors
External: local and international organizations; municipal government officials, schools
administration, ministry of education and other state government officials; community leaders
and other local actors.

Position Requirements and Qualifications

Professional Qualifications
1. Minimum of five years work experience in development and/or emergency programs;
2. Demonstrated experience in community mobilization, organization and mediation among
local actors;
3. Demonstrated experience in financial and technical project management; and in budget
monitoring;
4. Excellent ability to develop and track project financial reports;
5. Strong planning and implementation skills to meet strict deadlines;
6. Excellent writing and communication skills in both English and Arabic;
7. Strong cross-cultural skills and experience working with people from different
ethnic/cultural backgrounds;
8. Demonstrated capacities to establish and maintain strong, collaborative working
relationships; with donors, government officials, local organizations, communities and
other stakeholders;
9. Proven ability to multi-task, delegate and meet deadlines;
10. Proven ability to develop proposals and write reports meeting donor requirements;
11. Must be able to work independently and represent CRS;
12. Proficiency in computer applications (MS Word, Excel)
Education
University degree in related social science with specialization or graduate studies in refugees
issues preferred

Personal Competencies
• Demonstrated strengths in relationship management; able to work with diverse groups of
people in multicultural, team-oriented environment;
• Skilled in influencing and obtaining cooperation of individuals not under supervisory
control; able to manage long-distance relationships to achieve results;
• Diplomacy, tact and negotiation skills;
• Self-motivated and able to work without close supervision;
• Able to prioritize work, multi-task, and meet deadlines;
• Committed to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching;
• Willingness to work with poor and vulnerable people with a respectful attitude and a
sense of commitment;
• Must be energetic with a strong positive attitude and a capacity to motivate others.

Physical Requirements/Environment
The PM is based CRS/Egypt office and is expected to monitor activities being carried out in 1-2
field offices in the Greater Cairo Region. Normal office environment is the norm, with frequent
travel to the field and partners visits.

Date revised: April 2008.