Project Officer at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Department: MWENDO Project - Programming

Grade: 6

Reports To: Case Management Advisor with a dotted reporting line to Cluster Lead

Country/Location: Kenya/Homa Bay (Ref.2018/017) /Kisumu (Ref.2018/016)

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 key member of the MWENDO Project Cluster team, you will monitor and report on all project activities related to case management with respect to OVC in support of CRS’ work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your 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 assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor 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.
• Collect information on staff capacity needs and 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.
• Ensure community case workers (CCWs) (LIP staff and Volunteers) complete required case management forms and ensure case filing system is developed and maintained.
• Create community linkages for broader community engagement in case management.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Science, Gender, International Development, Development Economics or a related field. Master ‘s degree will an added advantage
• At least 2 years of work experience for Master’s degree holders or 4 years of work experience for Bachelor’s degree holders in project support in the field of adolescent focused integrated ECD,
• HIV/AIDS, and other health-related projects in Kenya and for an NGO.
• In-depth understanding of donor expectations for program results, outcomes, impact, and reporting.
• Experience in participatory action planning and engagement of stakeholders at various levels.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
• Excellent understating of GOK.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal Skills

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members and inspire teamwork among diverse partners without direct supervisory responsibilities
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Required/Desired Foreign Language
• Able to clearly communicate in written and spoken English

Travel Required

Up to 35% of travel time to MWENDO LIP project sites

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: None

Internal: Project technical officers

External:Representatives of the GOK, LIPs, other stakeholders, and the community

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.

• Trusting Relationships
• Professional Growth
• Partnership
• Accountability

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