Project Officer - SILC

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 focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to serving the poor and vulnerable without regard to race, religion, or nationality, and it upholds the highest standards of safeguarding to protect individuals from harm, abuse, and exploitation. The organization fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to humanitarian work.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer for the SILC project will be an integral member of the Advancing Cross-border Resilience and Opportunities for Safety and Stability (ACROSS) Project team. This role involves monitoring and reporting on all Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) project activities, ensuring that the project adheres to Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) program quality principles and standards. The Project Officer will be responsible for implementing project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan, addressing challenges, and ensuring that the project consistently applies best practices to enhance its impact on the communities served. The position requires a thorough and service-oriented approach to support the project’s objectives and improve the lives of the poor and vulnerable populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Officer will support the coordination and implementation of all assigned project activities as per the detailed implementation plan, ensuring alignment with CRS program quality principles, donor requirements, and good practices. Responsibilities include monitoring project progress, reporting on challenges and gaps, assisting partners in reflecting on project experiences, and coordinating project evaluation activities. The officer will also collect and analyze project data, prepare reports in collaboration with local partners, and document project activities. Additionally, the role involves identifying capacity needs of partner organizations and monitoring capacity building efforts to ensure effective impact. The Project Officer will also assist in identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices, ensuring thorough documentation of all project activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in business management, Cooperative Management, Agricultural Economics, or Development Studies. A minimum of three years of work experience in project support is required, particularly in development or savings and loans programs, income generation, and livelihoods. Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement is also essential. Proficiency in using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) is necessary, along with strong observation, active listening, and analytical skills. Candidates should demonstrate good relationship management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as business management, Cooperative Management, Agricultural Economics, or Development Studies. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of project management and community engagement in the context of SILC initiatives.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in project support, particularly in areas related to development, savings and loans programs, and income generation. Candidates should have experience in monitoring projects and collecting relevant data, as well as experience working with local partners in capacity building efforts. Familiarity with social cohesion and savings programs within an NGO context is preferred, as it will enhance the candidate's ability to contribute effectively to the project.

Languages:
English is the mandatory language for this position, and proficiency is required for effective communication and reporting. Knowledge of Hausa as a second language is appreciated and would be beneficial for engaging with local communities and partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria, and requires the candidate to be willing and able to travel up to 60% of the time. The role does not involve supervisory responsibilities. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. For successful candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The organization emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding and expects all staff to adhere to its safeguarding policies and procedures.