Project Officer - Field

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 assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various areas 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's processes and policies reflect its dedication to protecting the rights and dignity of all people, particularly those who are most vulnerable. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where it operates.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer will be a key member of the Tudituale project team, responsible for monitoring and reporting on all activities related to Natural Resource Management (NRM) in support of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) work aimed at assisting the poor and vulnerable populations. The role requires a rigorous and service-oriented approach to ensure that the project consistently applies best practices and continuously works to enhance the impact of its benefits on the communities served. The Project Officer will coordinate and implement all NRM activities within assigned health zones, adhering to CRS program quality standards, donor requirements, and best practices. This position demands a proactive engagement with local partners and communities to ensure effective project execution and accountability, as well as the collection and analysis of relevant data to inform project adjustments and improvements.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Officer will support the coordination and implementation of all NRM activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan. Key responsibilities include monitoring and reporting on challenges or gaps identified, including safeguarding issues and the needs for supplies and tools for partners. The officer will assist partners in reflecting on project experiences and support accountability by coordinating analysis and documentation of project actions. This includes helping partners with data collection and analysis using precise mechanisms and tools. The Project Officer will collaborate with local partners to analyze, document, and prepare reports according to established timelines. They will gather information on capacity strengthening needs and provide technical assistance to partner organizations and communities. The role also involves organizing and facilitating training for trainers, supporting project staff and community agents to ensure effective impact. The officer will document project activities, identify information for case studies and success stories, and oversee environmental impact assessments and mitigation plans related to project activities. Additionally, they will supervise participatory community processes related to inclusive NRM needs and contribute to the design of appropriate training tools and materials for community resource management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong observational, active listening, and analytical skills, with the ability to make informed judgments. Excellent relationship management skills are essential, along with the capacity to work closely with local partners and community members. Attention to detail, accuracy, and prompt execution of assigned responsibilities are critical. The ideal candidate should be proactive, results-oriented, and service-focused. Preferred qualifications include experience in planning participatory actions and community engagement, project monitoring, and relevant data collection. Experience in supervising NRM activities and proficiency in MS Windows and MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) are also preferred.

Educational Background:
A minimum of a Graduat degree is required, with a preference for a Bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management, Agronomy, Rural Development, or a related field. Candidates with equivalent qualifications may also be considered. Additional experience may substitute for certain educational requirements.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of work experience in project support, particularly in the field of Natural Resource Management and agriculture within an NGO context. Relevant experience in project monitoring and data collection is highly desirable, as well as experience in planning and managing NRM activities.

Languages:
Fluency in French (both written and spoken) is required, along with proficiency in local languages of Kasai Central. Knowledge of English is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position will be based in one of the health zones of Lubondaie, Yangala, and Maswika (Kasai Central), with over 80% of the work time spent in the field. The role does not involve supervisory responsibilities. CRS welcomes candidates from the regions where it operates, and if the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment will be informed by a term limit based on the job type and level, as well as the agency's needs. 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 sign and adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct.