Oficial de Campo

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, focusing on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to serving individuals without regard to race, religion, or nationality, and welcomes staff from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and its processes reflect this commitment. The organization fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture aimed at improving the lives of the poor globally. It also offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees, tailored to the country of employment for those outside the U.S.

Job Overview:
As a Técnico de Grupos de Auto Ahorro y Préstamo (GAAP) within the Microfinance and Gender component of the Horizontes initiative, the Field Officer will be responsible for supporting the implementation of the GAAP approach through the Private Service Providers (PSP) methodology. This role involves direct collaboration with shared-value partners, technical implementers, field agents, and community members. The Field Officer will also train and advise the technical staff of shared-value partners to develop competencies in GAAP and microfinance topics. The position requires effective resource management and achieving impactful results for the populations served. The officer will work closely with various stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of the initiative's objectives, contributing to the sustainable access to water, soil for agriculture, inclusive markets, education, and financial services for families.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation of GAAP activities as outlined in the Horizontes initiative and detailed execution plans, ensuring alignment with CRS programmatic quality standards and donor requirements.
• Provide technical assistance and support to shared-value partners, enhancing their capacities and ensuring the technical quality of interventions to achieve expected results.
• Document experiences and systematize relevant cases to share best practices and lessons learned with the CRS learning community and the Horizontes initiative.
• Support technical teams in the direct training of Field Agents and Private Service Providers (PSP-GAAP), ensuring effective and relevant training processes.
• Facilitate promotion, training, and support processes for the consolidation of GAAP groups.
• Supervise programmatic implementation by shared-value partners working with GAAP, acting as a liaison between local actors and promoting impactful actions for participants.
• Coordinate capacity strengthening activities, training, and technical support to partners, ensuring compliance with methodological guidelines and quality standards of the initiative.
• Provide ongoing support to technical teams in the proper use of technological platforms and tools such as SAVIX and CommCare, promoting continuous improvement in data collection and management processes.
• Maintain fluid and constant communication with the Program Coordinator, timely informing about progress, challenges, and needs of the component. 1
• Contribute to establishing strategic alliances with other CRS programs and/or microfinance initiatives of related institutions, fostering synergies and collaboration mechanisms in support of GAAP. 1
• Represent the Horizontes initiative in key spaces related to microfinance, such as coordination tables, fairs, conferences, and other strategic forums. 1
• Ensure the implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) processes, as well as proper knowledge management throughout the initiative's cycle. 1
• Prepare technical and follow-up reports for the microfinance component, ensuring documentation is complete and meets CRS and donor quality standards.

Required Qualifications:

• Student in the final years of a degree in auditing, economics, administration, rural finance, social work, or related fields.
• Minimum of 2 years of work experience in development projects, ideally in projects related to financing small rural producers, formal financial systems, alternative financial systems including savings groups, rural banks, community banks, input suppliers, and/or economic development.
• Experience in financial training, microfinance, or the national financial system, and in developing and executing training methodologies or knowledge transfer at the community level.
• Proven experience in adult training processes (Andragogy).
• Experience in project monitoring and relevant data collection is preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Windows and MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Preferably with experience in rural work.
• Valid driver's license for a 4-wheel vehicle (essential).

Educational Background:
Candidates should be in the final stages of their studies in fields such as auditing, economics, administration, rural finance, social work, or related areas. This educational background is crucial for understanding the financial and social dynamics involved in the role, particularly in relation to microfinance and community development.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in development projects, particularly those focused on financing small rural producers and working within financial systems. Experience in training and capacity building, especially in financial literacy and microfinance, is highly valued. Candidates should also have a proven track record in project monitoring and data collection, which is essential for assessing the impact of the initiatives undertaken.

Languages:
The position requires proficiency in the local language of the region, which is essential for effective communication with community members and stakeholders. Additionally, knowledge of Spanish is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and with partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Ixcán Quiche, Guatemala, and involves significant travel to project intervention areas, with an expected travel time of 80%. The role is full-time and may require working under pressure and managing multiple tasks efficiently. The successful candidate will be subject to a comprehensive background check and must adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct, which emphasizes the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect while preventing harassment, abuse, and exploitation.