Project Officer Sr. Commodity Management and Risk Monitoring

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency's work culture is collaborative and mission-driven, dedicated to improving the lives of the poor globally. CRS has a strong emphasis on safeguarding program participants and ensuring the rights and dignity of all individuals are respected.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer Sr. Commodity Management and Risk Monitoring will lead the JEOP and RFSA commodity management monitoring field project team. This role is crucial for achieving project objectives through effective coordination and reporting of all project activities. The officer will provide technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partners, ensuring that last-mile commodity monitoring activities are implemented effectively. The position requires strong coordination and relationship management skills to apply best practices and enhance the impact of the project on the communities served. The officer will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of logistical plans, monitoring commodity dispatches and distributions, and ensuring compliance with project guidelines and standards. The role also involves mentoring Project Officers and supporting capacity-building initiatives to ensure project activities are executed according to established standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Project Officer include: supervising the activities of JEOP Project Officers, monitoring commodity dispatches and distributions by consortium partners, mentoring Project Officers to develop strong monitoring skills, implementing logistical plans for field monitoring, ensuring accurate commodity dispatches and distributions at partner FDPs, organizing and leading field-level implementation of project activities, supporting accountability through project evaluation activities, analyzing implementation challenges, coordinating relationships with local stakeholders, performing inspections at project sites, tracking resource use through budget reviews, coordinating capacity-building activities, providing logistical and administrative support, and ensuring complete project documentation. The officer will also assist in preparing trend analysis reports and documenting case studies and promising practices.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor's Degree, preferably in International Relations or a related field. Candidates should have a minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support, ideally within the NGO sector. Additional experience may substitute for some educational requirements. The role demands strong analytical and problem-solving skills, good relationship management abilities, and a proactive, results-oriented approach. Attention to detail and timeliness in executing responsibilities are essential. Preferred qualifications include a 2nd Degree in Social or Natural Science with 3 years of relevant experience, or a 1st Degree with 5 years of experience in Commodity Monitoring. Experience in participatory action planning, community engagement, and staff supervision is advantageous, along with proficiency in MS Windows and MS Office packages.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree, with a preference for degrees in International Relations or related fields. A 2nd Degree in Social or Natural Science is preferred, as it aligns with the responsibilities of the position and enhances the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience in project support, ideally in the field of commodity management and monitoring for an NGO. Candidates with a 2nd Degree should have at least 3 years of experience, while those with a 1st Degree should have 5 years. Additional education may substitute for some experience, and vice versa. Experience in monitoring projects, collecting relevant data, and working with partners is essential, as is experience in staff supervision.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, with Amharic also required. Proficiency in both languages is necessary to effectively communicate and perform the job duties, especially in the local context where the project operates.

Additional Notes:
This position is for Ethiopian nationals only and is offered on a definite period contract until June 30, 2027, contingent upon program funding. The role requires the candidate to be willing and able to travel up to 50-75% of the time. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies.