Senior Project Officer for Governance

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, focusing on saving, protecting, and transforming lives without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization engages in various relief and development programs, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes individuals of all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need.

Job Overview:
The Senior Project Officer for Governance will play a crucial role in implementing the Women Advancing Inclusive, Participatory and Accountable Governance in the Bangsamoro Project. This initiative aims to enhance the influence of women leaders and organizations in the Bangsamoro region by promoting their active participation in governance and ensuring accountability to the needs of women and the broader community. The officer will coordinate project activities, provide technical support to stakeholders, and ensure that best practices are applied to maximize the project's impact. The role requires strong coordination and relationship management skills to facilitate the achievement of project objectives and to support the empowerment of women in governance and political decision-making processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Project Officer will be responsible for crafting detailed implementation plans that align with project goals and developing realistic budgets. Key responsibilities include organizing and leading project activities, ensuring learning accompanies project activities, supporting accountability through evaluations, analyzing implementation challenges, and coordinating relationships with local stakeholders. The officer will supervise project processes, track resource use, support capacity-building activities, and ensure proper documentation of project activities. Additionally, the officer will assist in preparing trend analysis reports and monitor financial and material resources relevant to project needs, ensuring efficient use of project resources and providing feedback for budget adjustments when necessary.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree, preferably in International Relations, Development Studies, Peacebuilding, or Governance. A minimum of 5 years of work experience in project support, particularly in Peacebuilding, Gender, Political Participation, and Civil Society Engagement, is required. Additional education may substitute for some experience, and additional experience may substitute for some education. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of gender dynamics and governance, as well as possess excellent relationship management skills and a proactive, results-oriented approach.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's Degree is required for this position, with a preference for degrees in fields related to International Relations, Development Studies, Peacebuilding, or Governance. The educational background should provide a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of governance and gender issues in the Bangsamoro context.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in project support, ideally within the fields of Peacebuilding, Gender, Political Participation, and Civil Society Engagement. Candidates with additional education may have some experience substituted, and those with extensive experience may have some educational requirements waived. Experience in community engagement and participatory action planning is highly valued.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Filipino is mandatory for this position. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages, as they will be working with diverse stakeholders in the project.

Additional Notes:
The position involves approximately 30% travel to project sites. CRS emphasizes personal accountability, integrity, trust-building, collaboration, and a willingness to learn among its staff. The agency is committed to safeguarding program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse, and all staff are expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the Philippines, where CRS has offices.