Project Officer at Catholic Relief Services

Background:

In response to the current humanitarian crisis, CRS is implementing a USAID/OFDA funded project providing integrated health, nutrition, WASH, and protection interventions across south-central Somalia: Primarily focused on IDPs. Project locations include Mogadishu/Afgooye Corridor, Cadaado, Baidoa, Luuq, Dollow. CRS’ emergency response is currently implemented by 3 local partner organizations through an integrated multi-sectoral approach. The protection components of the project include GBV crisis centers providing comprehensive services, and child-friendly spaces focused on PSS for vulnerable children.

Job Summary:

As a member of the Somalia Emergency portfolio team, you will monitor and report on all protection project activities in support of Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable across the project areas. 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 provide primary support to partner field staff implementing projects, and will be a critical liaison between implementing partners and the CRS Somalia team, as well as representing CRS Somalia with key stakeholders and coordination bodies in Mogadishu and/or Baidoa. You will primarily monitor and support stand-alone protection activities, but will also support protection mainstreaming and protection integration across all sectors and partners. You will also provide support and monitoring to other CRS activities including health, nutrition, and WASH activities, especially focusing on protection mainstreaming and beneficiary accountability across sectors.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan: in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, international standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Monitor project implementation through partner accompaniment, spot checks, monitoring visits, etc to ensure program quality and mitigate risk; document, and report observations in a timely way.
• Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Assist partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.
• Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and assisting partners in their efforts to collect and analyze project data per the appropriate MEAL plans. Ensure beneficiary feedback mechanisms are functioning effectively. Collaborate with local partner(s) to prepare reports per established reporting schedule.
• Collect information on staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and monitor capacity building and technical support activities to ensure effective impact.
• Support MEAL and accountability systems by conducting gender-disaggregated Focus Group Discussion and Key Informant interviews directly with beneficiaries
• Assist coordination and support of assessment activities, including rapid needs assessments, scoping for proposal development, etc.
• Complete project documentation for assigned activities. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.
• Provide regular updates (written or oral) to CRS team in Mogadishu/Nairobi to include implementation progress, security updates, and contextual changes.
• Represent CRS at coordination meetings (clusters and working groups) and with other stakeholders

MEAL Competencies:

• Track project MEAL requirements – both CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures (MPP) and donor requirements.
• Work with MEAL staff and partner staff to implement the MPP and donor MEAL requirements applicable to your projects.
• Complete the annual MEAL procedure self-assessment for your project, and develop action plan to advance MEAL practice.

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

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, project management, public health, international development, or other relevant field to protection programming. Master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 2 years of work experience in project support in the Somali context. Experience in the field of protection or emergency response and for an INGO is strongly preferred; Experience working with local/implementing partners is an advantage. Experience implementing health and nutrition projects could be substituted for protection projects.
• Technical expertise (demonstrated through education or experience) in GBV prevention and response and/or child protection is a strong advantage.
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement in the Somali context.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred, especially in protection programming, and especially through qualitative data collection (e.g. FGDs).
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Skype).
• 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, community members, and other stakeholders
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Strong writing skills in professional English

Required Foreign Language

• Fluent Somali speaker (required).
• MaayMaay or other relevant local dialect is considered an advantage

Travel Required

• Regular (25%) travel to Baidoa and other locations in South-Central: e.g. Cadaado, Luuq, Dollow.

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: Project Manager, Protection

Internal: Other Project Officers; Health and Nutrition Project Manager, Somalia MEAL Officer, Emergency Coordinator; Senior Program Officer

External: SOS, SSWC, WARDI, SYPD, HLDI Project Staff; Local Stakeholders

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

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Equal Opportunity Employer