Project Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to serve the poor and vulnerable, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development assistance. 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 all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency employs a diverse workforce and encourages applications from female candidates and persons with disabilities.

Job Overview:
As a Project Assistant, you will play a crucial role in the day-to-day administrative activities of the Holistic Opportunities for Positive Engagement in Maternal and Child Health (HOPE-MCH) Project funded by Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC). This project aims to enhance child wellbeing by providing comprehensive support from families, communities, clinics, and health systems. Your responsibilities will include ensuring effective communication among project team members and external stakeholders, managing project documentation, and facilitating logistical arrangements for project events. You will also be responsible for maintaining project records and ensuring operational effectiveness to support high-quality programming. Your role is vital in contributing to the stewardship of project resources and ensuring that the project meets its objectives efficiently and effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitate communication with project team members, relevant staff, and external stakeholders.
• Manage all incoming and outgoing correspondence, including mail, faxes, and documents.
• Provide specialized administrative support, including translating, typing, proofreading, and formatting documents.
• Record and transcribe meeting minutes and draft correspondence.
• Prepare transactional documents to support project operations, including payment requests and travel authorizations.
• Compile and verify data related to project administration processes, such as employee leave balances and attendance reports.
• Support travel and logistics arrangements for staff and visitors, including scheduling appointments and coordinating event logistics.
• Assist in property management processes, including property receipt, distribution, labeling, and physical counts.
• Ensure high-quality service delivery and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the project.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business management or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in an office environment, particularly in clerical or administrative roles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel domestically to support project events.
• Experience in monitoring projects and collecting relevant data is preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Visio.
• Strong customer service orientation and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively and demonstrate proactive problem-solving skills.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in business management or a related field is required. Additional qualifications such as a professional diploma or certificate in administration are considered a plus. Relevant coursework or training in project management or office administration may also be beneficial.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in an office environment, specifically in clerical or administrative roles. Experience working with local or international NGOs is preferred, as is familiarity with project monitoring and data collection processes.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Additionally, the ability to speak local languages such as Dagbani, Mampruli, Likpakpa, Moar, Gonja, Twi, Hausa, Waali, and Dagaare is considered an asset, as it can enhance communication with local stakeholders and community members.

Additional Notes:
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities. The successful candidate must be willing to travel up to 30% of the time to support project events. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and the selected candidate will be expected to adhere to the agency's Code of Conduct. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates, and all offers are contingent on the candidate's ability to legally work in the location of the position.