Catholic Relief Services (CRS) -- Vacant Post (Micro Finance Project Officer/Team Leader)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international relief and development organization working in Uganda. CRS invites applications from suitably qualified Ugandans for the position of Micro Finance Project Officer/Team Leader for its country program office. The Project Officer/Team Leader will be based in Kampala but with 25% travel time to the field and is considered a career and senior position with plenty of opportunities for professional growth.Primary Functions:Manage all aspects of the micro-finance program portfolio for CRS/Uganda. Oversee program operations, ensure program quality, and provide capacity-building and implementation technical assistance to partners. This position will also ensure financial administration of projects, oversee program monitoring and evaluation systems, plan and facilitate training workshops/meetings, provide timely reporting, and serve as the point of contact for donors. Work closely with the Head of Programming in the identification of new funding resources/donors and partners, developing new concepts and projects, and strategic planning. Directly supervise two Assistant Project Officers.Specific Responsibilities:Micro-finance Grant Management- Responsible for the overall management of all Micro-finance (MF) programs and institutions.- Management of global micro-finance program budget, including budget forecasting.- Ensure timely liquidations of quarterly projects advances and monitor expenses- Compile narrative and financial reports for donors and other stakeholders.- Lead the planning process of the program with clear performance benchmarks & indicators- Manage the project M & E system, ensuring steady progress towards goals and objectives- Create new linkages with other MFIs, donors, and government.Co-ordination and Leadership of Micro-finance Team- Oversee the development of the CRS/Uganda MF program as a sustainable and high quality unit- Supervise MF staff, consultants and visitors on exposure within the Micro-finance Unit.- Maintain close relationship with Regional Technical Advisor for MF and contribute to regional MF initiatives- Advise CRS management, partner managers and MFI Board on key micro-finance issues.- Provide technical assistance to partners on-site (at least 25% of time).Institutional Development, Planning, and Innovation- Participate in CRS strategic planning processes including research/assessment- Participate in developing and advancing resource acquisition, including representation to donors and identification of funding strategies for the MF program.- Monitor, analyze, and facilitate the institutional development processes of each partner- Keep abreast of latest best practice guidelines from CRS, Micro-finance specialists and Government.- Conceptualize new project possibilities and write proposals to secure funding from diverse sources.- Develop relationships with key donors, attend meetings, articulate strategies, negotiate proposals, ensure timely and quality reporting, and organize field visits as required.Qualifications and Experience- Masters Degree in Business Administration, Management, Development Economics or related field.- Post-graduate training in design and management of micro-finance programs.- At least 5 years of experience with a micro-finance institution, with at least 3 years in a managerial position- At least 2 years experience managing budgets and leading in strategic planning exercises.- Excellent English written and oral communication skills, and ability to represent CRS to donors.- Experience in managing USAID and/or European Union grants is an asset- Computer literate, with demonstrated skills in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Experience with computerized accounting systems and micro-finance software preferred.- Willing and able to spend at least 25% of his/her time in the field.Application letters (handwritten or typed) with comprehensive CVs, day phone contact, including names of threeindependent referees must be RECEIVED AT CRS/UGANDA no later than February 8, 2002. Applications can either be hand-delivered or posted to the following address: CRS/Uganda P. O. Box 30086, Kampala, Plot 577, Block 15 Nsambya Road (behind American Embassy). Email: benyuk@crsuganda.or.ug. The letters should be clearly marked with the words “Micro-finance Project Officer/Team Leader."