Job Summary

About CRS Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peace-building.

Job Description

Band: 8

Project: ECF RRF

Location: DAR ES SALAAM

Reports To: Head of Programs

Job Summary:

CRS and its network of local and international partners have submitted a proposal to USAID/OFDA for the implementation of a rapid response mechanism which leverages community knowledge and demonstrated technical expertise in emergency response. As a member of the East and Central Africa Rapid Response Fund (ECA RRF) project team, you will actively engage with partners, support capacity building, lead coordination and monitor and report on all project activities in support of CRS’ work serving the poor and vulnerable.

The ECA RRF mechanism (to be implemented in Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Republic of Congo, Eritrea and Djibouti) is designed to meet unanticipated needs as they emerge, ensuring rapid, short-term, life-saving assistance through WASH, MPCA, and shelter and settlement interventions. 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.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

The Senior Project Officer (SPO) will be responsible for managing all RRF project activities within their assigned location, acting as the main point of contact for the Project Director and Grants Manager. The SPO will assist in all start-up activities, including meeting with relevant government officials for gaining project approvals, organizing and facilitating workshops, liaising with relevant UN and government agencies overseeing various early warning and monitoring systems. The SPO will be the day-to-day point of contact for RRF implementing partners, providing capacity strengthening to local/national RRF partners.

• 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.
• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all local project stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact.
• Through baseline data collection, assist local partners in self-assessment on organizational and emergency response capacity.
• Based on local partner assessment results, develop plans to provide support through workshops, training and accompaniment to achieve lasting impact. Liaise with country program and HRD technical advisors for support on specific topics. Work with local partners to revisit and adjust capacity building plans at a minimum once per year.
• Continually monitor country context for triggers/shocks or early warning signs which could indicate the need for a rapid response and support the Project Director with data collection required for advocacy to donor for disaster declaration.
• If a disaster declaration is declared, participate in the RRF Review Committee, engage with CRS and partner staff to undertake assessments and develop a response plan when a rapid response is triggered, later monitoring progress and close out of RRF grants.
• During a response, support accountability through on-site monitoring and organization of an After Action Review, including data collection review, following each rapid response. Assist partners in their efforts to collect and analyze project data per specified mechanisms and tools. Collaborate with local partner(s) to prepare reports per established reporting schedule.
• Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform technical support needs and adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Complete project documentation for assigned activities. Through documentation of after-action reviews and monitoring of partner activities, assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in international relations, project management, social sciences or other related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in emergency program implementation with an NGO, specifically in the areas of cash-based, shelter, NFI and/or WASH programming.
• Required experience in emergency program implementation, including rapid needs assessments, participant registration/verification, M&E and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience in training and facilitation
• Experience working with partners and supporting capacity building efforts.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 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, government representatives and community members
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with partner, government agencies, participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Comm-care and Cash and Asset Transfer (CAT) platforms.

Required Languages –English and Swahili required.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% of the time. Willingness to travel to difficult and remote locations required.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Project Director, Grants Manager, Country Program leadership, program and operations teams, HRD technical advisors
• External: Partners, community leaders, government agencies, other NGOs and UN agencies

***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.

Disclaimer: These job descriptions are not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the respective position. CRS’ recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Interested and qualified applicants are requested to submit their applications to CRS Human Resources Manager at [email protected] by 17h00 EAT on 23 July 2020.

Only submissions that meet the following criteria will be reviewed

– Subject line must read indicate the position applied for.

– CV must be in Word or PDF format and not exceed 4 pages.

– Cover letter summarizing qualifications and motivation. Cover letter must be in Word or PDF format and not exceed 1 page.

– Kindlly note, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer