Senior 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, providing relief and development assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor through various programs, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. The agency is dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, ensuring that its processes reflect this commitment. CRS has a diverse workforce and prioritizes candidates from the regions where it operates, with a focus on local engagement and sustainability in its projects.

Job Overview:
The Senior Project Officer will play a crucial role in leading the implementation of a multi-county child development, care, and protection project. This position involves collaborating with government counterparts, local partners, community structures, and faith-based networks to strengthen national systems that protect vulnerable children and support families. The project aims to improve early childhood development through locally led and sustainable approaches, focusing on enhancing child protection systems, advancing integrated early childhood health and development, and reducing reliance on residential care. The Senior Project Officer will ensure that project activities align with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and best practices, while also fostering accountability and continuous improvement throughout the project cycle.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Project Officer will be responsible for organizing and leading the implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan. This includes ensuring that learning accompanies project activities, supporting accountability through project evaluation, analyzing implementation challenges, and coordinating relationships with local stakeholders. The officer will oversee inspections of project sites to ensure adherence to established standards, track resource use through budget reviews, and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities. Additionally, the Senior Project Officer will provide logistical and administrative support to staff and partners, ensure complete project documentation, and assist in preparing trend analysis reports and case studies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree, with a minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of Child Protection and within an NGO setting. Strong analysis and problem-solving skills are essential, along with good relationship management abilities and a proactive, results-oriented mindset. Attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness in executing responsibilities are also critical. Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree in international relations or a related field, experience with participatory action planning, community engagement, and project monitoring.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's Degree is required for this position, with a preference for degrees in International Relations or fields related to Child Protection. Additional experience may substitute for some educational requirements, indicating that practical experience is valued alongside formal education.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience in project support, particularly in the field of Child Protection and within an NGO context. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to manage projects effectively and engage with local partners and communities.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Chichewa is required for this position. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context and communities served by the project.

Additional Notes:
The position is contingent upon the successful award of the project, and the anticipated duration of the assignment may be influenced by the type and level of the job and the agency's needs. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and retirement savings plans. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from exploitation and abuse, and all candidates are expected to adhere to the agency's Code of Conduct. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS has offices.