Program Officer

Location: Bogotá, Colombia

Contract type: Full time, National Employee Contract

Report to: Short-term Country Representative, Colombia

Eligibility: Must be legally able to work in Colombia

Language requirements: Bilingual (Spanish and English are essential)

Salary Range: COP 56,636,109 – COP 79,693,601

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:

Funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Cuso International is implementing the volunteer cooperation program Sharing Canadian Experience for Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (SHARE) (2020-2028) in 10 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.  In the immediate term, the Program Officer (PO) will report to the Country Representative and once country program offices (CPOs) have transitioned to new regional program structure, the PO will report directly to the Regional Program Manager. The PO will have responsibility for implementing SHARE in the country. Supported by the Regional Program Manager and working closely with the country Finance Officer (FO) and lead partners, the PO will ensure effective planning and management of SHARE activities in country, including development and monitoring of the country workplan. The RPM will have primary responsibility for management of partner and volunteer relationships and mitigation and management of risks in country.

A key role for the Program Officer (PO) is the collaboration with the country lead partner(s) to ensure strategic and sustainable results from SHARE. The PO will be responsible for managing the relationship and capacity strengthening of a lead partner(s) to support implementation of SHARE, including to direct and strengthen our participation in platforms, networks and alliances (PNAs), pursuing emerging opportunities and strengthening engagement, coordination and collaboration with other SHARE partners to achieve project outcomes e.g. for training activities, knowledge sharing, events and campaigns.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate with the Regional Program Manager (RPM) and Senior Manager, SHARE on the development, management and monitoring of annual workplans

• Collaborate with RPM on establishing partnerships with local organizations to participate in SHARE program, including overseeing partnership agreements and annual workplans

• Deepen partnerships with Lead Partners with shared values, ensuring that mutuality and respect is present from the outset, including during the identification and initial partnership stage

• Work closely with SHARE lead partner (s) on the implementation of SHARE in country, including participation in PNAs, allocation of special project funds, coordination of activities and collaboration with SHARE partners

• Carry out Capacity Assessment Processes (CAP) with new partners to identify needs and capacity gaps to inform Cuso International’s support, e.g. volunteer placements, training, small project funding, etc and conduct regular review and updating with existing partners receiving volunteers and small project funds from SHARE.

• Provide orientation and refresher trainings to SHARE partners on Cuso International’s policies and procedures related to volunteer and placement management, duty of care, communications and monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Maintain strong relationships with partners and volunteers, including conducting regular check-in meetings with each partner and volunteer and review of progress of activities.

• In collaboration with the Volunteering in Development Manager, develop and manage the volunteer placements plan (e.g. placement descriptions, workplans and quarterly reports).

• Participate in the volunteer assessment process, e.g. short-listing, participating in panel interviews, facilitating partner approval

• Deliver in-country orientations for volunteers in coordination with the country Finance Officer (FO) and partner organizations.

• Serve as first line of management of any volunteer or partner complaints, in line with the complaints process and conducting investigations where necessary.

• Develop and implement emergency and risk-management plans at the country-level, reviewing on a regular basis and communicating with staff, partners and volunteers.

• Keep the SHARE program management team and Safety and Security Advisor informed of any potential safety and security threats, whether low, medium or high, at all times.

• Ensure MEAL systems are in place and understood by partners and volunteers and produce reports according to timelines (e.g., workplans, annual partnership reviews and annual reports).

• Review and update country briefing information on the volunteer portal and country guides

• Coordinate with FO to ensure delivery and compliance with record-keeping guidelines and filing of sensitive employee, volunteer, partner and donor information.

• Participate in regular planning and monitoring meetings with the SHARE program team.

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with government, private sector, civil society, and key platforms, networks and alliances to deliver SHARE, mobilize broad support and to champion Cuso International’s programs.

• Provide key information, results and impacts from SHARE to inform the design of new programming.

OTHER DUTIES

• Fulfill any other responsibilities as may be assigned from the RPM and Regional Representative
• 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 or relevant experience

• 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

• 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 with partnership management

• 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 and either French or Spanish

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

• 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 the region 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 November 24, 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.