Senior Program Officer - Electronic Coupons

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 welcomes candidates from the regions where it operates, reflecting its dedication to diversity and inclusion.

Job Overview:
The Senior Program Officer for the electronic coupons component of the multi-sector emergency intervention project funded by the Humanitarian Fund will facilitate the achievement of project objectives. Reporting to the project manager, the officer will oversee electronic coupon distribution activities, which include food and non-food items, while providing technical guidance and recommendations to staff and partners involved in implementation. 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 position is based in Goma and is contingent upon project approval by funders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Key responsibilities include organizing and leading the implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan, ensuring compliance with CRS program quality standards, donor requirements, and best practices. The officer will facilitate learning throughout the project cycle, support accountability by coordinating project evaluation activities, and guide partners in reflecting on project experiences. Responsibilities also include analyzing implementation challenges and reporting inconsistencies or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and timelines. The officer will coordinate and supervise working relationships with all local project stakeholders, ensuring effective communication between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact. Regular inspections of project processes and resources will be conducted to ensure timely implementation and adherence to established standards and procedures. The officer will monitor resource utilization through periodic budget reviews and provide support to the implementing partner. Additionally, the role involves coordinating capacity-building activities and technical assistance to ensure project activities are implemented according to guidelines and standards. The officer will also coordinate logistical and administrative support for staff and partners, ensuring that documentation related to assigned activities is complete and properly filed according to agency and donor requirements. Finally, the officer will assist in preparing trend analysis reports and documenting case studies and promising practices.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with good judgment and the ability to work closely with local partners. A proactive, results-oriented approach and attention to detail are essential, as is the ability to meet deadlines in task execution. Desired qualifications include additional training in international relations or security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, experience in electronic coupon implementation, familiarity with the Humanitarian Fund in the DRC, and experience working with partners, participatory planning, and community engagement. Experience in project monitoring and relevant data collection is also preferred.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree is required for this position, with a minimum of 2 to 5 years of professional experience in project support, ideally in electronic coupon projects for food security within an NGO context. Proficiency in MS Windows and MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) is necessary, along with experience in cash and voucher assistance (CVA) project implementation.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 to 5 years of relevant professional experience, particularly in project support roles related to electronic coupons for food security. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with NGOs and experience in project monitoring and data collection.

Languages:
Fluency in French is required, along with proficiency in local languages. Knowledge of English is considered a plus, enhancing communication capabilities within diverse teams and with international partners.

Additional Notes:
The position may require up to 75% travel, and candidates must be willing and able to travel as needed. The role is contingent upon project funding approval, and CRS emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding program participants and staff from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and participate in safeguarding training. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.