Project Officer – Catholic Relief Services

About CRS
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partner’s people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

BACKGROUND:
CRS is implementing an integrated ECD/Wash/Mental Health project in Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania to contribute to improve child health and development. The project is a continuation of THRIVE I and works with partners and MoH in these countries. The goal of the THRIVE II Project is that children under two years in Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania thrive in a sustainable culture of care and support. The project aims at building the capacities of community-based organizations so that they can more effectively act as service providers and advocates for high-quality ECD support.

Job Summary:
As a member of the health unit responsible for the implementation of the THRIVE project in Kenya, the Project Officer is expected to promote an integrated approach to service delivery to improve the well-being of HIV infected and affected children under 2 and their caregivers in two Counties (Homabay and Migori) in Kenya.

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, donor requirements, and good practices.
• 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 specified mechanisms and tools. 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.
• Participate in various working groups, including the ECD working group and CNHF grantees meeting, to monitor adherence to national guidelines and contribute to strategy paper development.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
• Support to partner staff implementing the THRIVE II project through supervision visits, mentorship and on job trainings.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in, Early Childhood Development, Social Work or Health related field required
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in working with OVC or ECD field including experience in assessing ECD development and activities to promote ECD.
• Strong background in working with HIV programs, specifically ECD, their caregivers and pregnant and postpartum women.
• Demonstrated commitment to development through local empowerment
• Good understanding of ECD policies and capacity-building principles in local partnerships.
• Additional education may substitute for some experience.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
• 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
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
Required/Desired Foreign Language: None
Travel Required (50% travel to field sites)

Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory: None
Internal: THRIVE Senior Project officer**, CRS** Health Unit Staff, CRS/Kenya PQ and MQ departments, CRS HQ and EARO staff, appropriate Regional Technical Advisors as well as the CRS MEAL and finance teams
External: CNHF, implementing partners, MoH, NACC, HIV/AIDS stakeholders in the country and other PEPFAR implementing partners/programs in country

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.

HOW TO APPLY:
Written applications indicating the reference number of position applied for and CV including day-time contact phone numbers, as well as names and contact information of three references should reach the below-mentioned by Close of Business Thursday, September 14, 2017.
Human Resources Manager
Catholic Relief Services – Kenya Program
E-mail : hr@ke.earo.crs.org
Note: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) does not charge any fees from applicants for any recruitment. Further, CRS has not retained any agent in connection with this recruitment
CRS’ recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation

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