Project Officer

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 areas including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to serving those in need without regard to race, religion, or nationality, and actively promotes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. The agency values diversity and encourages applications from individuals of all faiths and backgrounds, reflecting its mission and values.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer 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 position is integral to ensuring that child well-being is prioritized, providing necessary support and care from families, communities, clinics, and health systems. The Project Officer will monitor and report on project activities, ensuring adherence to best practices and striving for continuous improvement in the project's impact on the communities served. The role requires a thorough and service-oriented approach to effectively support the project's objectives and enhance the quality of services provided to vulnerable populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Officer will be responsible for coordinating and implementing all assigned project activities as per the detailed implementation plan, ensuring alignment with CRS program quality principles, donor requirements, and best practices. Key responsibilities include facilitating communication and information sharing among project teams, implementing partners, and community beneficiaries to strengthen local engagement. The officer will utilize GPS tracking systems to document project sites, ensure complete project documentation for health facilities and communities, and work closely with District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) to ensure compliance with project activities. Monitoring and reporting on challenges and gaps will be essential to inform necessary adjustments to project plans. The officer will assist partners in reflecting on project experiences, support accountability through project evaluations, and collaborate with local partners to prepare timely reports. Additionally, the Project Officer will assess staff capacity needs, monitor capacity building efforts, and assist in documenting promising practices through case studies and reports.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Community Development, Public Health, Nutrition, or a related field. A minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in project support, particularly in community development and mobilization, is preferred. Fresh graduates may also be considered for this role. Experience in participatory action planning, community engagement, and monitoring projects with data collection is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in using MS Windows and MS Office applications, possess strong observation and analytical skills, and have good relationship management abilities to work effectively with local partners and community members.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Social Work, Community Development, Public Health, Nutrition, or a related discipline is required for this position. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of community health and development, and to effectively engage with various stakeholders involved in the project.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 2 years of work experience in project support, preferably within the context of community development and mobilization. Experience in monitoring projects and collecting relevant data is preferred, as well as familiarity with maternal and child health, early childhood development, and gender and disability inclusion. Candidates with experience in training and providing technical support to partners or community-based agents will be viewed favorably. Fresh graduates may also be considered, provided they demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge.

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, etc., is considered an added advantage, as it will facilitate better communication with community members and stakeholders.

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. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and community members from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate will be expected to adhere to the agency's Code of Conduct. The organization is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from female candidates and persons with disabilities who meet the position requirements. The job description is not exhaustive and may evolve based on agency priorities.