Project Coordinator

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 programs that address various issues including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to serving those in need without regard to race, religion, or nationality, and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and its processes reflect this commitment. The agency is dedicated to creating a diverse workforce and encourages applications from female candidates and persons with disabilities who meet the position requirements. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS has offices, ensuring a strong local presence and understanding of community needs.

Job Overview:
The Project Coordinator will play a crucial role in the implementation of the Holistic Opportunities for Positive Engagement in Maternal and Child Health (HOPE-MCH) Project funded by Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC). This project focuses on child well-being, aiming to provide comprehensive support and care for children through their families, communities, clinics, and health systems. The coordinator will be responsible for monitoring and reporting on all project activities, ensuring that the project adheres to Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) program quality principles and standards, as well as donor requirements. The role requires a thorough and service-oriented approach to ensure that best practices are consistently applied and that the project continually improves its impact on the communities served. The coordinator will work closely with various stakeholders, including local partners and community members, to facilitate effective communication and information sharing, thereby strengthening community involvement and support networks.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Coordinator will support the coordination and implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan. Key responsibilities include: coordinating communication and facilitating information sharing among the project team, implementing partners, and project beneficiaries; facilitating the use of GPS tracking systems to generate coordinates for all project sites; ensuring that project documentation for health facilities and communities is complete and filed according to agency and donor requirements; collaborating with District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) to ensure adherence to project activities; monitoring and reporting on challenges or gaps to inform adjustments to plans; assisting partners in reflecting on project experiences; coordinating project evaluation activities and supporting partners in data collection and analysis; preparing reports in collaboration with local partners; collecting information on staff capacity needs and monitoring capacity building activities; completing project documentation for assigned activities; and assisting in identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Community Development, Public Health, Nutrition, or a related field. Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of work experience in project support, preferably in community development and mobilization. Fresh graduates may be considered for the role. Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement is also preferred, along with experience in monitoring projects and collecting relevant data. Candidates should possess strong relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members, as well as proficiency in using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Social Work, Community Development, Public Health, Nutrition, or a related discipline. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support the project and engage with community members and partners.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 2 years of relevant work experience in project support, particularly in community development and mobilization. Experience in the field of maternal and child health, early childhood development, and gender and disability inclusion is highly desirable. Candidates with experience in training and providing technical support to partners or community-based agents will be given preference. Fresh graduates may also be considered for this position, provided they demonstrate a strong understanding of the relevant fields and a commitment to community engagement.

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, Dagaare, and others is considered an added advantage, as it will facilitate better communication with community members and enhance the effectiveness of the project.

Additional Notes:
The position involves significant travel, with up to 90% of the time spent in the HOPE-MCH Project communities. There are no supervisory responsibilities associated with this role. The job description outlines a range of responsibilities and skills that are indicative and not exhaustive, meaning that actual duties may differ or change depending on the priorities of the office and agency at the time. CRS is committed to equal opportunity employment and encourages applications from diverse candidates. The successful candidate will be expected to sign and adhere to CRS’s Code of Conduct, reflecting the organization's commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults.