Project Officer – SILC At Catholic Relief Services

_{About CRS}

Catholic Relief Services 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 are accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Primary Location: WARO-GH-Northern

Job: Program Management

Job Level: Day Job

Travel: Yes, 75 % of the Time

_{Job Summary:}

_{As a SILC Project Officer in the SCORE ECD III (Strengthening Capacity of Women Religious in Early Childhood Development) project team, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) and Private Service Provider (PSP) activities related to the SCORE III project. You are also expected to provide technical guidance and advice to staff, implementing partner(s), and community stakeholders. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the activities which you are responsible for apply best practices and constantly work toward improving the impact of project benefits.}

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate the implementation of SILC component of the CRS-SCORE III Project activities on timely basis and ensure sustained linkages between activities of the project.
• Ensure effective collaboration and linkage between CRS Ghana and relevant partners including targeted decentralized government agencies at the regional and district levels.
• Facilitate the roll out of the SILC Private Service Provider Business Model as part of the overall SILC component.
• Work with the Project Manager and district level partner staff in preparation of work plans, capacity building modules, planning and delivery of project activities.
• Plan with, assign tasks to, and supervise partner field staff (Reverend Sisters) in the execution of their duties and responsibilities.
• Work closely with other technical team members (including the MEAL Specialist) in the implementation of key project components at the district and community level to realize all project objectives and results including but not limited to farmer training, seed/technology fairs and effective SILC groups.

Project Implementation and Management:

• Support and collaborate with project implementing partners and the target communities to undertake all activities aimed at enhancing the achievement of project strategic objective.
• In collaboration with the PM and PO for IBMC, identify and promptly resolve all trouble-shooting issues as they arise within the team and work on team building and team communication.
• Support partner staff to develop, manage and supervise relationships and activities in beneficiary communities.
• Sensitize district partners and communities about project objectives
• Support partners to mobilize and register SILC groups.
• Monitor and evaluate activities of all partners and submit reports to the PM.
• Consult the Project Manager in planning and organizing training workshops for collaborating partner staff, SILC groups and community volunteers.
• Support and coordinate step down trainings by partner staff and PSPs.
• Facilitate the process of documentation of project activities as required by the project/CRS.
• Periodically review field activities to ensure and promote quality of service and maintain high quality standards in the implementation of the SILC aspects.
• Trouble-shoot challenges and find appropriate solutions to them

Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting:

• Periodically conduct field visits to ensure implementation plan is followed and level of activities is on track.
• Ensure the conduct of targeted assessments and surveys on timely basis.
• Setup and continuously update the SILC information on SAVIX.
• Ensure accurate data collection, processing and timely reporting on project activities
• In collaboration with the MEAL SPO, monitor the project SILC activities.
• Support the conduct of targeted assessments and surveys on timely basis
• Work closely with MEAL SPO, key component specialists to supervise implementing partner staff and PSPs on the MEAL requirements of the project, and to assure that the project meets set goals and objectives.
• Produce success stories and human-interest stories on project impact.
  Support coordination of and participate in field visits from project partners

Other Duties/Assignments:

• Carry out any other duties/assignments as shall from time to time be directed by the Project manager, the Head of Programs or Country Representative.

_{Required Languages – Fluency and proficiency in English language is preferred}

_{Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 80 %.}

_{Knowledge, Skills and Abilities}

• _{Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment}
• _{Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners}
• _{Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented}
• _{Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities}

_{Preferred Qualifications}

• _{Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.}
• _{Staff supervision experience a plus.}
• _{Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.}
• _{Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).}

_{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
• _{Continuous Improvement & Innovation}
• _{Builds Relationships}
• _{Develops Talent}
• _{Strategic Mindset}
• _{Accountability & Stewardship}

_{Key Working Relationships:}

_{Internal: CRS/Ghana programming and operations departments, SCORE-ECD Project Manager, MEAL  SPO, iMBC Project Officer}

_{External: National Association of Religious women, Ghana, Partner congregations and Sisters, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, ECD experts, Ghana Health Service, District Assemblies, Local Leaders/Chiefs, and other stakeholders.}

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• University degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Business Administration, Agriculture, Early Childhood Development, or any other relevant professional background in Maternal and Child Health.
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support. Experience in the field of MCH programming and for an NGO would be a plus.
• Experience in participatory action planning, community engagement, Monitoring and Evaluation
• Experience working with SILC/VSLAs (Demonstrable understanding on the mechanics of Savings and Loans groups) Work experience in and ability to relate with rural populations especially women
• Clear understanding of gender dynamics and mainstreaming.
• Ability to effectively communicate with beneficiaries, partners, and project staff.
• Ability to develop project communication materials (presentations, reports, success stories, and BCC materials relevant to SILC).
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Possession of License to ride a motorcycle is preferred.
• Knowledge of local language would be preferable.

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
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

How To Apply

To apply for this Position CLICK HERE to send your CV and Application Letter

Deadline: 24th Jan, 2022

***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.

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