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 save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS's work encompasses various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture 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, and its processes reflect this commitment. The organization prioritizes hiring candidates from the countries and regions in which it operates, ensuring that its workforce is representative of the communities it serves.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer position is integral to the anticipated multi-county child development, care, and protection project. The primary objective of this project is to enhance national systems that protect vulnerable children, support families, and improve early childhood development through sustainable, locally led approaches. The Project Officer will play a crucial role in coordinating and supporting project implementation in targeted districts, working closely with government counterparts, local partners, community structures, and faith-based networks. The incumbent will be responsible for strengthening child protection systems, enhancing early childhood development services, and supporting family strengthening initiatives. This role requires a thorough and service-oriented approach to ensure that best practices are consistently applied and that the project continually seeks to improve its impact on the communities it serves. The Project Officer will also be involved in monitoring and reporting on project activities, ensuring accountability, and assisting partners in data collection and analysis to inform project adjustments and improvements.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Officer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: coordinating and implementing all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed workplan and implementation plan, ensuring alignment with CRS program quality principles, donor requirements, and good practices. The incumbent will monitor project progress, identify challenges or gaps, and report these to inform necessary adjustments to plans and schedules. They will assist partners in reflecting on project experiences and support accountability through coordinating evaluation activities. The Project Officer will also collect and analyze project data, prepare reports in collaboration with local partners, and document project activities. Additionally, the role involves assessing staff capacity needs and providing technical assistance to partner organizations, ensuring effective impact and capacity building. The Project Officer will also contribute to identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in project support, particularly in monitoring projects and collecting data. Experience in the field of Child Protection and working within an NGO context is highly desirable. Proficiency in using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) is essential. Candidates should demonstrate strong observation, active listening, and analytical skills, with the ability to make sound judgments. Good relationship management skills are necessary, along with attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness in executing responsibilities. A proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented mindset is also required. Preferred qualifications include experience in participatory action planning and community engagement, as well as familiarity with project monitoring and data collection.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Child Protection, or a related field is required for this position. Fresh graduates may be considered for the role, indicating that the organization is open to nurturing new talent and providing opportunities for those entering the field.

Experience:
The position requires at least 2 years of work experience in project support, with a strong emphasis on monitoring projects and collecting relevant data. Experience in Child Protection and working with NGOs is preferred, highlighting the importance of practical experience in similar roles.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are English and Chichewa. Proficiency in both languages is essential for effective communication within the project and with local partners and communities.

Additional Notes:
The position may involve travel up to 25%. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For successful candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment for expatriates is informed by a term limit based on job type and agency needs. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS has offices.