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 serve those in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide, focusing on various areas such as emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is dedicated to saving, protecting, and transforming lives without regard to race, religion, or nationality. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, ensuring that its processes and policies reflect this commitment. The agency welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds and faiths who share its values and dedication to serving those in need. With a workforce that includes a significant number of employees across various countries, CRS emphasizes the importance of integrity, accountability, and collaboration in its mission to support marginalized communities.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer will play a crucial role as a member of the project team, responsible for monitoring and reporting on all project activities. This position requires collaboration with CRS and partner colleagues, government counterparts, local partners, community structures, and faith-based networks. The Project Officer will support various initiatives, including child protection systems strengthening, Early Childhood Development (ECD) services, family strengthening, referrals, family-based care, and case management. The role demands 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 Project Officer will also be involved in collecting and analyzing project data, assisting partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences, and ensuring accountability through project evaluation activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Officer will be responsible for supporting the coordination and implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan. This includes ensuring alignment with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. The officer will monitor and report on any challenges or gaps identified during project implementation, assisting partners in adjusting plans and schedules as necessary. The role involves collaborating with local partners to prepare reports according to an established reporting schedule and collecting information on staff capacity needs and technical assistance requirements. The Project Officer will also monitor capacity building and technical support activities to ensure effective impact, complete project documentation for assigned activities, and assist in identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree as a minimum qualification. Additionally, a minimum of 2 years of work experience in project support is required, ideally in the fields of Child Protection or Early Childhood Development (ECD). Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement is also essential. Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree in International Relations, Child Protection, Early Childhood Development, or a related field, along with experience working with partners and local government, and experience in monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree as a baseline requirement. A Master’s degree in relevant fields such as International Relations, Child Protection, Early Childhood Development, or related areas is preferred and may enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in project support, particularly in areas related to Child Protection or Early Childhood Development. Candidates with experience in participatory action planning and community engagement will be favored. Experience in monitoring projects and collecting data is also beneficial.

Languages:
Strong written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is open exclusively to Ugandan nationals. The application deadline is set for 5:00 PM on September 18, 202

• The recruitment process is contingent upon the successful award of the project, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. CRS emphasizes its commitment to equal opportunity employment and encourages applications from individuals of marginalized backgrounds and those with disabilities. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies, ensuring the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults, are respected.