Senior Project Officer - HES at Catholic Relief

Ref.2019/017

Job Summary:

As a key member of the MWENDO Project Cluster team, reporting to ESL Specialist, the SPO- HES will be responsible for efficient and effective roll-out of HES in all counties within the cluster. He/ She will implement, monitor and report age appropriate and gender -responsive project activities related to HES capacity strengthening by providing training, accompaniment, and technical support to field and LIPs staff in support of CRS’ work serving the poor and vulnerable. The SPO will work with the Private sector Advisor to link savings groups with financial education (FE) marketing training, Private sector financing, entrepreneurship and franchising opportunities. His/ her thorough and service-oriented approach will ensure that the project consistently applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve. You will coordinate closely with other Mwendo Project Officers to contribute to a holistic, integrated, and comprehensive project implementation.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of all HES project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, GOK requirements, and good practices.
• Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Assist local implementing partners (LIPs) in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.
• Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and assisting LIPs in their efforts to collect and analyze project data per specified mechanisms and tools. Collaborate with LIPs to prepare reports per established reporting schedule.
• Provide capacity strengthening to LIP staff through trainings, workshops, facilitated group interactions, as well as accompaniment through regular communication, and site visits to support the successful implementation and monitoring of HES project activities.
• Collect information on technical assistance needs of LIPs. Provide technical support and monitor capacity building and technical support activities to ensure effective impact.
• Complete project documentation for assigned activities. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices. Actively engage in dissemination and use of relevant knowledge in the field.
• Represent CRS in meetings at county and cluster levels, working groups, and other events as requested, to support forging relations with the GOK, LIPs, other stakeholders, and the community.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of all assigned project activities per donor and CRS standards and established schedules.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Natural Resource Management, Social Sciences or a related field. Master’s degree will be added advantage
• At least 3 years of work experience for Master’s degree holders or 5 years of work experience for Bachelor’s degree holders in project support in the field of house hold economic strengthening programming in Kenya and for an NGO.
• In-depth understanding of donor expectations for program results, outcomes, impact, and reporting.
• At least 3 years’ experience on Savings led Microfinance models- SILC, VSLA, Community-based savings for empowerment- COSAVE, Saving for Change etc
• Experience in economic strengthening of communities through social assistance, asset growth and promotion and income growth.
• Knowledge and experience of CRS SMART Skills and Pathway to Prosperity and their application in improving livelihoods
• Experience in participatory action planning and engagement of stakeholders at various levels.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
• Excellent understanding of GOK.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal Skills

• Strong communication, relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings
• Good strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Good technical writing skills
• Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented with excellent organizational skills
• Detail- oriented and excellent time management skills
• Required/Desired Foreign Language
• Able to clearly communicate in written and spoken English

Travel Required

Up to 30% of the time to Mwendo project sites

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: None

Internal: Mwendo leadership, Mwendo program staff.

External: Private Sector Providers, Community, LIPs and relevant GOK departments

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Accountability & Stewardship
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Strategic Mindset

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.