CRS Project Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established in 1943, CRS has been working in the Philippines since 1945, making it the longest-running continuous CRS country program in the world. The organization operates in around 100 countries, focusing on saving, protecting, and transforming lives, serving people in need regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS implements various programs in emergency response, disaster risk reduction, health, agriculture, education, community savings, livelihoods, and peacebuilding. With over 60 staff members across multiple cities in the Philippines, including Manila, Cotabato City, Tagbilaran City, Iloilo City, Virac, and Malaybalay City, CRS collaborates closely with church and civil society partners, government agencies, and other organizations to serve vulnerable communities throughout the country.

Job Overview:
The CRS Project Assistant will play a crucial role in the day-to-day delivery of administrative activities that support the mission of Catholic Relief Services to serve the poor and vulnerable. This position is focused on providing consistent and high-quality service to ensure operational effectiveness in support of high-quality programming. The Project Assistant will specifically support the Innovative Climate Finance – Carbon Pilot Project team based in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The role involves offering a suite of administrative and field operations support services, reporting directly to the MEAL Manager, and closely coordinating with the CRS Philippines Operations team, particularly the Senior Admin Officer. The Project Assistant will be responsible for facilitating communication within the organization and with external stakeholders, ensuring that all administrative processes are executed efficiently and effectively, thereby contributing to the overall success of the project and the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the CRS Project Assistant include facilitating communication with all units of the organization and external stakeholders, managing incoming and outgoing mail, providing specialized administrative transactions such as translating, typing, proofreading, and formatting documents, and recording meeting minutes. The Project Assistant will prepare transactional documents to support general operations processes, compile data, perform data entry and verification related to administration processes, and support travel and logistics arrangements for staff and visitors. Additionally, the role involves scheduling appointments, providing logistical support for event planning activities, implementing property management processes, and supporting program teams through the preparation and tracking of program documents. The Project Assistant will also coordinate travel arrangements for field staff and visitors and perform accurate data entry and preparation of Vehicle Management System reports on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. The position includes responsibility for Insight system functions, holding the Insight Requisition Preparer Persona or any other Persona assigned by the supervisor in accordance with CRS’ internal controls.

Required Qualifications:
The basic qualifications for the CRS Project Assistant position include being a Bachelor’s Degree holder and having 1-2 years of experience working in an office environment in a clerical or administrative role. Additional education may substitute for some experience. Preferred qualifications include a professional diploma or certificate in Administration, experience with a local or international NGO, and proficiency in typing/word processing, data entry into online databases, and working with various office equipment. Familiarity with MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and information management systems is also preferred, along with proficiency in Word and adeptness in using Artificial Intelligence tools like Co-pilot to improve workplace efficiency and productivity.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the CRS Project Assistant position includes a Bachelor’s Degree. Candidates with additional education in relevant fields may be considered, as it can substitute for some of the required experience. A professional diploma or certificate in Administration is preferred, indicating a formal understanding of administrative processes and practices.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the CRS Project Assistant position is 1-2 years of working in an office environment, specifically in a clerical or administrative role. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to handle various administrative tasks effectively and efficiently. Experience with local or international NGOs is considered a plus, as it indicates familiarity with the operational context in which CRS operates.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for the CRS Project Assistant position includes good speaking skills in English, Filipino, and Bisaya. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders, ensuring that the Project Assistant can perform their duties effectively in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
The CRS Project Assistant position is not specified as full-time or part-time in the provided information. However, it is important to note that the role may require travel, with a willingness and ability to travel up to 20%. The position is based in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, and the successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS’ Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate will be expected to sign and adhere to these commitments. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS has offices.