Economic Development Lead

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 worldwide. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS engages in various programs, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. CRS is dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, ensuring that all staff and partners uphold the highest standards of safeguarding.

Job Overview:
The Economic Development Lead will spearhead programming for economic development under the Advancing Cross-border Resilience and Opportunities for Safety and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security (ACROSS) Project, based in Kebbi, Nigeria. This role involves working collaboratively with other sector leaders and the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) team to ensure the effective planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of economic development activities. The Economic Development Lead will support the partner's livelihoods team in planning and integrating sector interventions to maximize impact for the poor and vulnerable populations. The position requires strong management and facilitation skills to ensure high-quality, cost-effective programming that is locally appropriate and continuously improves the impact of interventions. The Economic Development Lead will also be responsible for mentoring the livelihoods team, engaging youth and women in economic activities, and representing ACROSS and CRS in state-level coordination mechanisms.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare annual implementation plans for economic development interventions and conduct regular follow-ups to ensure efficient implementation.
• Facilitate active involvement of youth and women in economic development activities.
• Mentor the partner livelihoods team in using CRS program planning, implementation, and reporting tools.
• Oversee planning and implementation of market-based input activities, including participant identification and training.
• Represent ACROSS and CRS at state-level coordination forums and engage with key ministries for technical support.
• Manage the ACROSS agriculture and livelihood team, focusing on team dynamics and staff well-being.
• Analyze project performance data in accordance with MEAL policy and proactively identify issues.
• Coordinate capacity strengthening interventions for NEYIF to support quality project implementation.

Required Qualifications:

• Proven project design, planning, and management experience in agriculture and livelihood.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated capacity for teamwork and cross-sectoral planning.
• Excellent relationship management skills with culturally diverse groups.
• Experience managing relationships in a consortium with local partners.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficiency in MS Windows and MS Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Development Economics, International Development, or a related field is required. Additional relevant experience may substitute for some educational requirements.

Experience:
A minimum of 4 years of work experience in Northern Nigeria, specifically in the implementation of similar projects, is required. Experience in managing economic development programs and working with vulnerable populations is essential.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Hausa is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional local languages would be an advantage.

Additional Notes:
The position may require travel up to 40%. 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 safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals interacting with the organization.