Regional Program Manager, Latin America

Location: Honduras (preferred), Colombia, or Peru

Reports to: Senior Program Manager

Status: Full time, Fixed-term (till 2028)

Classification: Management

Language requirements: Spanish & English are essential

Salary: To be determined based on location and paid in local currency

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 International 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 (VCP) Sharing Canadian Experience for Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (SHARE) (2020-2028) in 10 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.  Reporting directly to the Senior Program Manager (SPM), SHARE, the Regional Program Manager (RPM), Latin America will have responsibility for overseeing the implementation of  SHARE in the region. The RPM will provide direct support to the three countries in the region (Honduras, Peru and Colombia)in the development and management of partnerships, annual workplans, volunteer activities and budgets. The RPM will be responsible for ensuring effective, efficient and quality implementation of SHARE, in line with plans, policies and procedures.

The RPM’s primary role is to provide excellent project management and leadership to ensure the successful delivery of SHARE and compliance with donor, country and Cuso requirements and regulations. This includes a varied list of competencies and activities, management of staff and consultants, project planning, monitoring and evaluation, financial planning and oversight, and relationship management.

The role requires above-average competency in the following project management areas: finances, operations, team management, quality assurance, risk management, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and client relationship management.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES

Program Management:

• In coordination with the SPM, SHARE, lead the development/implementation of

• • the SHARE annual country workplans for the region
  • SHARE annual country budgets for the region, including overseeing annual budgeting processes and budget execution, while ensuring compliance with Cuso International and GACs financial policies and procedures

• With support of the Finance team, lead the development of monthly forecasting for planned expenditures in the region, including rigorous analysis of planned expenditures to minimize spending shortfalls at year-end

• Review financial reports prepared by SHARE Finance Officer (1 per country), including monthly expenditure reports, budget vs. actuals and funds transfer requests and submission to the SPM and Cuso International’s Program Finance Team based in Canada

• In collaboration with the SHARE MEAL Specialist, ensure monitoring and evaluation systems are in place and understood by staff, partners and volunteers and lead production of MEAL reports according to timelines (e.g., baseline, mid-year, annual reports)

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

• Establish and facilitate communication channels between SHARE staff in the regional country offices and Cuso International Canada office ensuring regular communication between all parties

• Actively encourage a cost effective and efficient approach to use and expenditure of all Cuso International resources, including financial, assets, equipment and information technology

• In collaboration with the Lead, Collaboration, Learning and Adaptation (LCLA), oversee the collection, storage and dissemination of program information, in line with Cuso International’s Learning and Knowledge Framework

• Contribute to tracking and communicating the impact of Cuso's programs to donors and stakeholders

• Support the PO with engagement of local communities, participants, and partners to ensure their perspectives are integrated into planning, implementation and reporting

• Facilitate sharing of best practices and lessons learned across the region and with other regional program managers

• Participate in local, national and regional meetings and events to promote Cuso International’s work in the region

Partner and Volunteer Management:

• Provide guidance and support to SHARE Country Program staff to identify and develop key program partnerships, including SHARE core partner(s)
• Support SHARE program staff in collaboration with the Manager, Volunteering in Development, the planning and monitoring of volunteer recruitment activities and progress, including review and revision of volunteer plans as needed
• Oversee planning for in-country orientations for volunteers in coordination with Program Officers (1 per country)
• Support effective engagement and management of volunteers and partners, including support with managing complaints and investigations where necessary
• Ensure emergency and risk-management plans are developed/implemented at the country-level, and reviewed on a regular basis
• Keep the SPMgr, SHARE and Safety and Security Advisor informed of any potential safety and security threats in countries, whether low, medium or high, at all times

Other Duties:

• Provide oversight to Honduras bilateral programming, as applicable and other Cuso International initiatives at the national level
• Fulfill any other responsibilities as may be assigned by SPM, SHARE
• Provide cover for other regional colleagues, as necessary
• Travel nationally and regionally when necessary

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• University degree in international development or a related field or relevant experience

Experience:

• Minimum seven years’ experience in a relevant field, including experience working in a not-for-profit organization

• Proven track record of program management, including experience developing/executing annual work plans and budgets, reporting, managing partnerships, human resources and monitoring and evaluation

• Experience in or in-depth understanding of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) (e.g., women’s rights and gender-based violence) and/or economic empowerment of marginalized groups (e.g., women, youth, Indigenous groups, persons living with disabilities and LGBTQ2IA+ people) and/or climate change and natural resource management

• Experience in partnership development and management

• Proven experience in volunteer management

• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Capacities, Skills, Competencies:

• Fluency in Spanish (Latin America) or French (Africa), written and spoken and proficiency in English, written and spoken

• Proven commitment to mainstreaming GESI within programming and ability to coach and mentor others in this aspect of performance

• 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 time-management skills and prioritization skills

• Excellent problem-solving and conflict management abilities, finding innovative solutions to difficult and complex challenges and the ability to persevere to find a resolution

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

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

• Proficiency with Office Suite (Windows, Word, Power Point, Outlook) as well as databases and the Internet

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 1, 2024, 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.