Senior Project Officer- County Systems Strengthening Lead at Catholic Relief

Reports To: SPO Case management

Country/Location: Kenya- Nyanza & Western (Western Cluster)

Band: 8

Background

CRS is implementing a 5-year orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) program, MWENDO, which seeks to empower local and county-level OVC stakeholders to strengthen the formal and informal HIV and child protection systems and services and the linkages between them, including cross-sectoral service referrals and coordination to ensure quality service delivery for OVC and their households.

Job Summary:

As a lead for the MWENDO project team, you will be seconded to the county Department of Children Services (DCS) office to provide coaching, mentoring, and technical assistance to advance CRS’ work serving the poor and vulnerable. You will lead the county systems strengthening component through the implementation of a holistic learning and knowledge management strategy for MWENDO. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Job Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Support DCS to identify their assets, strengths, and goals for in-service professional development and use this information to develop costed annual work plans that incorporate capacity building activities; and a sustainability plan for continuing DCS development after the project ends.
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all local project stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team and DCS to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact.
• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely project activities implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partner.
• Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities with DCS to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.
• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices.
• Represent the MWENDO program at the county-level, including attending meetings on behalf of MWENDO, making presentations at professional meetings and conferences on matters related to the Mwendo program related to capacity and system strengthening.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a Public Policy, Public Administration, Social Work or related field. Advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in preferably in organizational/institutional development and provision of technical assistance to government entities at the county level and/or international non-governmental organizations or civil society (including faith-based) organizations preferably related to the HIV and/or OVC response.
• Excellent project management skills including the demonstrated ability to conduct assessments, analysis, monitoring, and reporting as well as the ability to develop practical solutions within set deadlines.
• Experience working with international donor agencies, particularly USAID
• Experience engaging with and writing for a range of audiences, including governments and policy makers, multilateral agencies, and the public (national and international)
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal Skills

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
  Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Required/Desired Foreign Language

Able to clearly communicate in written and spoken English

Travel Required

Up to 50% of the time to MWENDO project sites

Key Working Relationships:

• Supervisory: Project Officer – System Strengthening
• Internal: MWENDO Core Leadership and Technical Advisors; CSSOs; Finance, Procurement, project technical officers and HR/Administration.
• External: Donors, government ministries/institutions at the national and county levels, relevant private sector entities

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.

****Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.*