Lead for the Sustainable Sand Mining Initiative (SuSaMI) Project

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 worldwide. The organization focuses on various areas including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. With a mission-driven culture, CRS is committed to improving the lives of those in need, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. The agency employs a diverse workforce and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS is dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, ensuring that its processes and policies reflect this commitment. The organization also prioritizes hiring candidates from the regions where it operates, and its talent acquisition procedures emphasize the rights and dignity of all individuals.

Job Overview:
The position of Lead for the Sustainable Sand Mining Initiative (SuSaMI) Project involves overseeing the successful implementation of project activities aimed at achieving specific objectives related to sustainable sand mining. The role requires strong coordination and relationship management skills to ensure that the project adheres to best practices and continuously improves its impact on the communities served. The lead will be responsible for facilitating project activities, providing technical guidance to staff and partners, and ensuring that all project documentation is complete and compliant with agency and donor requirements. The position also entails analyzing challenges in project implementation and making necessary adjustments to enhance effectiveness. The lead will play a crucial role in capacity building and technical support, ensuring that all project activities align with established guidelines and standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Lead for the SuSaMI Project include organizing and leading the implementation of all assigned project activities as per the detailed implementation plan, ensuring alignment with CRS program quality principles, donor requirements, and good practices. The lead will support accountability by coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in reflecting on project experiences. Responsibilities also include analyzing implementation challenges, reporting inconsistencies, and coordinating relationships with local stakeholders to mobilize support for project activities. The lead will conduct ad-hoc inspections at project sites to ensure timely implementation and adherence to standards, track resource use through budget reviews, and coordinate logistical and administrative support for staff and partners. Additionally, the lead will assist in preparing trend analysis reports and documenting case studies and promising practices.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Management, Development Studies, Agriculture Development, or related disciplines. Candidates must possess a minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support, ideally in WASH, Water Resources Management, Agriculture Development, or Development Studies, particularly within an NGO context. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential, along with good relationship management abilities and a proactive, results-oriented approach. Attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness in executing responsibilities are also critical for success in this role.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field such as Civil Engineering, Water Resources Management, Development Studies, or Agriculture Development. Further education in International Relations or Project Management is preferred but not mandatory. The educational background should equip candidates with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage and implement project activities.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 4 years of relevant work experience in project support, particularly in areas related to WASH, Water Resources Management, Agriculture Development, or Development Studies. Experience working with partners, participatory action planning, and community engagement is highly valued. Familiarity with monitoring projects and collecting relevant data is also important, as is experience using MS Windows and MS Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Proven experience in water resources management, land restoration, and climate-change-related projects will be considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, along with proficiency in a local language relevant to the project geographic targets. This bilingual capability is essential for effective communication and engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position may require travel up to 30% of the time. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The successful candidate is 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, especially children and vulnerable adults. The agency's processes and policies are designed to protect program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. This job description is not exhaustive and may evolve as the needs of the organization change.