Chargé(e) de Programme Senior – MPCA

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 sectors 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, especially the most vulnerable. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where it operates.

Job Overview:
As a Senior Program Officer for Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), you will support the coordination and implementation of cash transfer assistance activities within a multi-sector humanitarian project funded by the Humanitarian Fund. Your role will be crucial in achieving project objectives by ensuring technical and operational coordination of MPCA activities, guiding field teams and partners in implementing interventions, and ensuring adherence to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) quality standards, donor requirements, and humanitarian best practices regarding cash assistance. Your skills in coordination, relationship management, and programmatic analysis will contribute to the effective and accountable implementation of interventions that benefit vulnerable populations. You will be expected to engage with various stakeholders, manage project cycles, and ensure that the project meets its goals while maintaining high standards of quality and accountability.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Key responsibilities include coordinating the implementation of MPCA activities in accordance with the detailed implementation plan, CRS quality standards, donor requirements, and best practices in cash assistance. You will be responsible for planning, organizing, and monitoring project activities throughout the project cycle, including initiation, implementation, monitoring, and closure. You will supervise and support operational activities related to cash transfers, including distributions, coordination with financial service providers, and post-distribution monitoring. Additionally, you will ensure coordination with multi-sector technical teams (security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, WASH, protection, etc.) to guarantee coherence and complementarity of interventions. You will track MPCA activities and analyze programmatic data to identify implementation challenges and recommend necessary adjustments. Close collaboration with the MEAL team will be essential to ensure data quality, indicator tracking, and documentation of project results. You will also support accountability to affected populations by integrating and monitoring feedback and complaint mechanisms. Contributing to the documentation of lessons learned, best practices, and case studies related to cash transfer interventions will be part of your role. Maintaining strong working relationships with local partners, authorities, financial service providers, and other stakeholders involved in MPCA activities is crucial. You will assist in identifying capacity-building needs of partners and contribute to training and technical support activities. Furthermore, you will contribute to planning and monitoring the use of financial and material resources of the project to ensure effective and transparent resource utilization. You will support the preparation of programmatic reports and updates on project progress in accordance with CRS and donor requirements. Participation in the Cash Working Group for North Kivu will also be part of your responsibilities, along with ensuring that project documentation is complete and properly archived according to CRS procedures.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as international development, humanitarian action, food security, economics, social sciences, or any related area. A minimum of 2 to 5 years of relevant professional experience is required, including experience in implementing humanitarian projects or cash transfer assistance programs. Experience working with national or international NGOs is essential, as well as experience managing MPCA and/or cash projects in Eastern DRC. Strong analytical skills and the ability to proactively solve problems are necessary, along with excellent relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with multicultural teams and partners. Good written and oral communication skills, including report writing, are also required. A proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented attitude is essential for this role.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as international development, humanitarian action, food security, economics, social sciences, or any related area. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of humanitarian assistance and cash transfer programs, as well as for effectively engaging with various stakeholders involved in the implementation of these programs.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 to 5 years of relevant professional experience. This experience should include a background in implementing humanitarian projects or cash transfer assistance programs. Candidates should have experience working with national or international NGOs, and specific experience managing MPCA and/or cash projects in Eastern DRC is highly desirable. The level of experience should demonstrate a strong understanding of project management, coordination, and the ability to navigate the challenges associated with humanitarian assistance in complex environments.

Languages:
Fluency in French is required, and proficiency in Swahili and relevant local languages for the project intervention area is highly desirable. Strong language skills are essential for effective communication with local partners, beneficiaries, and stakeholders, as well as for ensuring that project documentation and reporting meet the necessary standards.

Additional Notes:
The position may require up to 80% travel to project implementation areas. The role does not involve supervisory responsibilities. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and commitment to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The anticipated duration of the assignment will be informed by a term limit based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency. CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where it has offices, and all positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance.