Senior Project Officer – Partnership Capacity Strengthening and Local Leadership (PCS/LL) at Catholic Relief

Job Summary: 

• As a Senior Project Officer – Partnership Capacity Strengthening and Local Leadership (PCS/LL) you will support the Kenya – Somalia Partnership Capacity Strengthening and Local Leadership Manager in implementing PCS/LL initiatives in both Kenya and Somalia and be responsible for supporting Implementing Partners’ PCS and LL activities including the quality of programmatic implementation (including monitoring, evaluation, and learning) and administrative/compliance elements of the PCS and LL activities. You will ensure that PCS and LL activities results are achieved on time and on budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability of various projects, and ensure that the Kenya and Somalia’s PCS/LL activities are well budgeted. The incumbent will support the CRS Kenya/Somalia PCS/LL Manager to ensure that strategies being applied are in line with the CRS Kenya PCS/LL strategy. You will support the development of learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and workshops, and mentoring and coaching. Your advice, knowledge, and support will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive, and innovative CRS’ partnership management and growth is within Kenya and Somalia programs. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and adoption of a common language around partnership, and capacity strengthening among CRS Kenya and Somalia staff as well as partners staff.
• Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned PCS/LL activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Support the Sector Managers and other relevant sectors staff to provide technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in management and operations for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.  
• Lead the identification, assessment and strengthening of the HPI (local partner capacity strengthening) concepts relevant to various sectors capacity strengthening and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches. 
• Develop and maintain PCS/LL systems, structures and staffing that document local leadership at the Kenya and Somalia Programs level. 
• Build and/or maintain strong and effective relationships between CRS and partners, through the committed application of Partnership Principles and other relevant methods.
• Ensure colleagues have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to work collaboratively and effectively with partners, stakeholders and government.
• Support the application of specific methodologies, including partnership reflections and scorecards, designed to ensure the appropriateness and quality of the partnerships.
• Lead and mentor others in using CRS capacity assessment tools and developing capacity strengthening plans that respond to organizational weaknesses.
• Lead and mentor others in using institutional strengthening and accompaniment approaches that respond to organizational weaknesses.
• Identify partnership and capacity strengthening issues across organizational systems and how they interact to affect program quality and service delivery.
• Track and monitor our partnership strengthening activities. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Ability to model trust and mutual respect when engaging partners and strengthening partner capacity.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 Languages - Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 60% (30% Kenya and 30% Somalia)

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: CRS Kenya Leadership, EARO RTAs and PCS HQ team

External: Partners, Governments and other stakeholders

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies, Public Health, Social sciences, Business Administration, or related relevant field. Master’s degree in the above-mentioned field would be a plus.
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in partnership activities and institutional strengthening, preferably with faith-based and government and for an NGO.
• Five years of experience with capacity building, including training and mentoring as well as developing training materials. 
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, representation, and networking skills.
• Strong capacity to facilitate collaboration between partners and different departments (programs, finance, etc.).
• Strong understanding of the Church and its internal structures.
• Strong leadership, advisory and negotiation skills
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Staff supervision experience a plus.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).