Senior Project Officer – Project Coordinator – 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 partners, people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
CRS has worked in Kenya since 1965. Over the years, CRS’ focus shifted from direct relief and food distributions to a comprehensive development program that works with partners and enhances local capacity. CRS Kenya programs now support children affected by HIV, and community-based efforts to increase household incomes, improve family health and sanitation, and enhance agriculture livelihoods.

Background:
Coordinating Comprehensive Care for Children, or 4Children, is a 5-year, USAID-funded project improving the health and well-being of vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS and other adversities. 4Children helps countries identify practical and appropriate policies, programs and services that reduce the risk of HIV and maltreatment, and promote children’s well-being. Its approach addresses the unique needs of each child and family, including strengthening the frontline social service workforce and case management systems. In Kenya, 4Children is supporting responsible transition of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) programming in the northern arid lands (NAL) and technical assistance for OVC implementing partners outside the NAL.

Job Summary:
As a lead for the 4Children technical assistance team supporting PEPFAR OVC IPs (Nilinde project) and GoK-Department of Children Services in target counties, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to implementing partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Job Responsibilities:
• Coordinate with PEPFAR Implementing Partner & GoK to organize, lead, and support the implementation of all assigned project activities at the county level as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Coordinate and maintain 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.
• Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
• 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.
• Represent the 4Children Kenya Project at the county-level, including attending meetings on behalf of 4Children, making presentations at professional meetings and conferences on matters related to the 4Children Kenya project areas.
• Complete project documentation for assigned activities. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.
• Coordinate with the relevant CRS Kenya operations units to ensure administrative support and all necessary logistics for project activities and events.
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Sociology, Social Work, or a related field with a minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support, or Master’s degree and a minimum of 2 years of work experience in project support is also acceptable.
• Experience in the field of health and well-being of vulnerable children and for an international NGO would be a plus.
• Experience in stakeholder coordination and engagement at county level preferred.
• Experience in planning and organizing of high-level internal and external meetings, workshops, and events, including the ability to plan resources and actions for timely and efficient service delivery.
• Knowledge of GOK OVC service delivery standards and PEPFAR programming, process, guidance and frameworks is strongly preferred.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
Personal Skills
• Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills and ability to work closely with local partners and community members
• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Able to work as part of a team, as well as with minimum supervision
Required/Desired Foreign Language
Travel Required (include percentage of required travel, if applicable)
Up to 50% of time to project sites in Kenya

Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory: None
Internal: 4Children MEAL Manager, Procurement Officer, HR Manager, Deputy Finance Manager – Projects
External: Department of Children, other Government ministries/institutions at the county level, health facilities, partners and civil society and faith-based organizations providing OVC/children services, Child Protection and OVC Networks, universities/research institutions.
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 Tuesday, November 7, 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

[yuzo_related]