Program Manager

Location: Bogotá, Colombia

Contract type: Full time, National Employee Contract

Report to: Country Representative

Eligibility: Must be legally able to work in Colombia

Language requirements: Bilingual (Spanish and English are essential)

Salary Range: COP 90,603,186 – COP 104,884,558.79

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, Central an South America, and the Caribbean. Find out more at www.cusointernational.org

ABOUT THE ROLE

After 60 years, Cuso International has embarked on a process of renewal.  In an era of rapidly changing contexts for international cooperation, Cuso International is looking for an experienced Program Manager (PM) that has ambition for contributing to advance human rights, reduce inequality and create both economic and social opportunities for marginalized groups. Reporting to the Country Representative (CR), the PM is responsible for overseeing Cuso International’s volunteer cooperation program in Colombia, including development of annual workplans, managing volunteer placements, maintaining partnerships and reporting. The PM plays a strategic role in supporting effective relationships with partner organizations and leveraging experience cultivated in the volunteer cooperation program to scale-up and maximize Cuso International’s impact in Colombia over the next four years.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Cuso International is looking for a leader driven by passion and principle to advance human progress in all its forms, including social justice, human rights, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and economic development.  A person who has learned firsthand the opportunities and challenges of the development sector to contribute to a better world through their work with communities, civil society, governments and the private sector, in particular through program design, innovation and partnerships.  She or he or they love a challenge, are highly self-aware and derive their energy from effective teamwork.

If you are interested in this position, you wish to give full flight to your feminist principles and apply your professional ambition to an organization that is re-inventing itself to have a greater impact in the world.  You’re known to have principled opinions; you bring people together and you want a workplace that will allow you to make a world of positive difference.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• In coordination with CR, lead development/implementation of annual budget and workplan for volunteer cooperation program, including planning of volunteering placements, allocation of volunteer funds and liaising with various teams at Cuso International Canada office (e.g., Volunteering for Development and Finance teams).

• Design and deliver in-country orientation training for volunteers in coordination with program support staff.

• Establish new and maintain current partnerships with government, private sector and civil society, including regular check-in meetings and review of progress of volunteer activities.

• Handle any volunteer and/or partner complaints, keeping CR abreast and Volunteering for Development Team of any complaints and conducting investigations when necessary.

• Ensure emergency and risk-management plans are developed/implemented at the country-level, coordinating with Cuso International Canada office on a regular basis and communication with staff, partners and volunteers.

• Keep CR informed of any potential safety and security threats, whether low, medium or high, at all times.

• Ensure all Cuso International finance, administration, safety and security, volunteer management and logistic processes and systems are in place and followed by staff, partners and volunteers.

• Ensure MEAL systems are in place and understood by partners and volunteers, including collecting data as well as producing reports for Cuso International and donors according to timelines (e.g., baseline, mid-year, annual reports).

• Foster a positive, respectful, fair and participatory work environment for local team free from harassment, motivating them to actively participate towards achieving Cuso’s goals.

• Ensure Cuso’s performance management culture and inclusive values, including gender equality, are understood and respected within the local team.

• Identify innovative ideas incubated as part of the volunteer cooperation program and participate in design of new projects, including providing feedback into proposals and concept notes.

OTHER DUTIES

• Fulfill any other responsibilities as may be assigned from CR, Head of Programs, Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Provide support for other colleagues, as necessary.
• Participate in regional or international Cuso International meetings when necessary as well as participate in local, national and regional meetings, events, etc. to promote Cuso International’s work in the region.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• University degree in international development or a related field

• Minimum five years’ experience in a relevant field, including experience working in a non-governmental or not-for-profit organization.

• Knowledge of current issues and trends in gender equality and/or economic empowerment of vulnerable groups (e.g., women, youth and persons with disabilities) and/or climate change and food security

• Proven track record of program management, including experience with annual work plans and budgets, reporting, managing partnerships and human resources.

• Experience preparing reports for donors, such as GAC.

• Proven experience in volunteer management

• Proficiency with Office Suite (Windows, Word, Power Point, Outlook) database, internet.

• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a multi-cultural team

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

• Highly organized with great attention to details and good team coordination skills

• Strong leadership and management abilities, with proven experience working with small teams.

• Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills

• Ability to respond to emergency situations (e.g. medical emergencies, natural disasters, assaults, etc.)

• Ability to work irregular hours occasionally (evenings and weekends) when necessary.

• Willingness to travel, when necessary, within LAC and abroad

HOW TO APPLY

Cuso 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, personal days, 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 no later than September 15, 2023, at 4:30 PM (EST). Expressions of interest should be sent in English. Your résumé and one-page cover letter should demonstrate how you meet all the essential and any desirable qualifications. 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.

Cuso 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.