Location: Ottawa (preferred), Toronto or Montreal (can be considered)
Reports to: Director, Program Quality and Impact
Status: Full-time, Permanent
Classification: Management
Language requirements: Bilingualism (English & French) is essential
Salary Range: CAD$88,000 – CAD$95,000
ABOUT CUSO INTERNATIONAL
Cuso International is an international cooperation and development organization that works to create economic and social opportunities for marginalized groups. Together with our partners, we are focused on efforts to advance gender equality and social inclusion, improve economic resilience, and deliver progress on climate action. We believe that by sharing skills, we can build better futures.
Cuso presently supports programs implemented in Africa, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Find out more at www.cusointernational.org
ABOUT THE ROLE
After 62 years, Cuso has embarked on a process of renewal. In an era of rapidly changing contexts for international cooperation, Cuso is looking for an experienced Senior Program Manager, to lead a dynamic program delivery team, establishing high quality standards for volunteer and technical assistance to local country partners.
The Senior Manager, Programs will ensure high quality, high impact programming in overseeing Cuso International's flagship Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP), SHARE. They will work closely with teams across the organization to ensure internal frameworks, tools and supports are in place to deliver high quality programming. They will lead a team of professionals and facilitate strong collaborations to uphold quality standards for programming with a view to leverage outcomes and program generated knowledge for impactful programming that promotes gender equality and social inclusion, women and youth economic empowerment and climate action.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversee implementation of Cuso's 8 year (2020-2028), $87M Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP) in Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), including overseeing annual work planning, development and execution of annual budgets, evaluation of partnerships, allocation of special program funds and coordination with teams at Cuso International's Central, regional and country offices to ensure high-quality impactful programming.
- Line manage SHARE Regional Program Managers; as a SHARE project management team, closely monitor progress against plans to ensure timely and effective implementation of activities and to minimize risks of delays and underperformance.
- Oversee the delivery of a transformed and integrated partnership approach which includes the relationship with anchor partners to deliver inclusive and sustainable program results, aligned with Cuso's strategic goals
- Provide guidance and support to Cuso International's volunteer mobilization team to achieve excellence and to meet objectives in the delivery of volunteers for the SHARE program.
- Ensure the achievement of both financial and in-kind contribution targets established each year.
- Ensure programmatic and financial compliance with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) outlined in the SHARE contribution agreement as well as act as the lead contact with GAC, Partnerships for Development Innovation, Engaging Canadians Bureau.
- Ensure all narrative and financial GAC reporting deadlines are met and complied with and that CPOs follow all donor policies, procedures and processes for the VCP.
- Support oversight of in-country MEAL processes, supporting Regional Program Managers and Country Program Officers to meet donor reporting requirements
- Communicate key project risks and issues, updates and milestones to Directors and project team members clearly, concisely and in a timely fashion.
- Support oversight of in-country safety and security processes and protocols, supporting Regional Program Managers and Country Program Officers to manage potential risks and identify mitigation measures, communicating regularly with teams at Cuso Canada office when safety/security issues arise.
- Support emergency and complaints management as they arise, including undertaking concerns discussions, incident management or investigations as may be needed.
- Administer, evaluate and disseminate feedback received through volunteer surveys and debriefs to ensure ongoing learning and improvement to volunteer mobilization.
- Gather evidence and promote the use of diverse volunteer cooperation approaches including international, national, diaspora and e-volunteers with the objective to position Cuso International as a global leader in volunteer cooperation.
- Represent Cuso International in national and international forums to share learning, engage in emergent policy and priority discussions for the sector and position Cuso as a global leader in volunteer cooperation.
- Manage the program relationship (s) with Global Affairs Canada, ensuring a strong working relationship to support management of funded programs
- Collaborate with regional and country teams to identify opportunities to create and enhance synergies between the VCP and bilateral programming.
- Collaborate with the Philanthropy and Public Affairs teams in the planning and implementation of public engagement and alumni engagement activities.
- Work collaboratively with the Cuso International Engagement Team to track Cuso International's match commitment ($7 million) for the VCP and share key results and impacts to support fundraising efforts.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Relevant educational background, preferably the Master's level in a related field or equivalent experience
EXPERIENCE
- At least 10 years of project management experience including, design, planning, launching, implementing, and monitoring large development programs/projects ($20 million+)
- At least 7 years of experience directly managing large teams, including strong knowledge of inclusive and gender-responsive hiring practices and experience working across multi-cultural teams
- Demonstrated experience with management of volunteer cooperation programming, including annual volunteer planning, duty of care and partnership evaluation
- Proven experience with developing and managing MEAL and knowledge management systems and frameworks, including data collection and analysis, reporting to demonstrate impact to diverse audiences and dissemination of information/knowledge to internal and external audiences
- Demonstrated experience in managing complex and demanding workload, with the ability to effectively prioritize and work independently
- Experience with developing and delivering training and learning initiatives
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Strong ability to coach, mentor, support and inspire team members
- Excellent strategic thinking and analytical abilities
- Attitudes and behaviors which show respect for different cultures and ability to establish rapport, cooperation and confidence through verbal and written communications
- Proven ability to handle sensitive issues in a professional and considerate manner
- A committed team player who can work within and across teams and professional skill sets in different cultural contexts and build effective working relationships.
- Willingness to travel internationally and nationally and to be away from home for approximately 30 days a year.
- Professional fluency in English and French is required; Spanish would be an asset
HOW TO APPLY
Cuso International is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive culture. We strive to actively celebrate diversity, advance our equitable practices, and drive greater inclusion. We offer a comprehensive employee benefits package and insurance, generous days of paid time off, including vacation and sick days, and more.
Cuso International is committed to the integrity of our volunteers, interns, staff, managers, board members and subcontractors in preventing sexual violence in the way we operate. This is done through a defined framework, code of conduct, values and guiding principles, as well as Cooperation Canada's Leaders' Pledge.
Please click the "Apply for This Job" button to submit your application by May 26, 2024, at 11:59PM (EST). Your résumé and one-page cover letter should demonstrate how you meet the position requirements. Please note that a confirmation email will be generated once you submit your application, but it may be directed to your spam or junk folders of your email inbox. Please note that only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
Cuso International is an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified applicants. Accommodations will be provided at any stages of the hiring process upon request. Thank you for your interest in Cuso International.