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 provide assistance to those in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, focusing on saving, protecting, and transforming lives without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization is dedicated to various programs 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 candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its values and commitment to service.

Job Overview:
As a member of the Tudituale project team, the Project Officer will monitor and report on the management and implementation of all project activities and interventions within their assigned Health Zone. This role is crucial in supporting CRS's mission to serve the poor and vulnerable populations. The Project Officer will ensure that the project adheres to best practices and continuously works to enhance the impact of its benefits on the communities served. The position requires a rigorous and service-oriented approach to ensure effective project delivery and accountability.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Officer will support the coordination and implementation of all activities and interventions in their assigned Health Zone as outlined in the detailed implementation plan. This includes monitoring and reporting challenges or gaps to inform adjustments to implementation plans and timelines. The officer will assist partners in their learning efforts to enhance their project management skills and contribute to performance reviews. Responsibilities also include coordinating project evaluation activities, assisting partners with data collection and analysis, collaborating with local partners to prepare timely reports, and gathering information on staffing needs and technical assistance for partner organizations. The Project Officer will ensure the organization and updating of all project documentation and data for interventions in their health zone, and will help identify information for case studies, success stories, and reports on promising practices across all project components. Additionally, they will work to ensure quality assurance of activities implemented by partners in the financial inclusion component.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will possess strong observational, active listening, and analytical skills, with the ability to make informed judgments. Excellent relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members are essential. Attention to detail, accuracy, and prompt execution of assigned responsibilities are critical. The candidate should be proactive, results-oriented, and service-focused. Preferred qualifications include experience in participatory action planning and community engagement, strong leadership and coordination skills for multidisciplinary teams, and excellent communication and advocacy abilities within the intervention area. Experience in project monitoring and relevant data collection is preferred, along with proficiency in MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Educational Background:
A graduate degree is required, with a preference for a Bachelor's degree in social sciences, rural development, or a related field. A minimum of 2 years of experience in project support is required, with additional experience in development, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, or social sciences for an NGO being a plus. Additional experience may substitute for certain educational requirements.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in project support roles. Experience in development, food security, or social sciences, particularly within an NGO context, is highly desirable. The role may also consider additional experience as a substitute for formal educational qualifications.

Languages:
Fluency in French (written and spoken) is required, along with proficiency in local languages from the Kasaï Central region. English language skills are considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position will be based in one of the health zones of Lubondaie, Yangala, and Maswika, with over 80% of work time spent in the field. The role may involve travel and requires adherence to CRS's Code of Conduct. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates. The successful candidate will undergo a pre-employment medical clearance and may need to clear a separate government-administered medical examination for work permit processes.