About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary:

As a lead for the Local Governance Capacity Strengthening for STaR Project team, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all Local Governance Capacity Strengthening project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead the implementation of all local governance capacity strengthening assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all local project stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact.
• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely local governance capacity strengthening project activities implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partner.
• Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support to Local government structures and LGA leaders to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to Local governance staff and partners.
• Ensure project documentation for local governance assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices.
• Develop program/project documents and tools, as well as technical manuals or guidance, training materials, and quality improvement and assessment guidelines for all local governance capacity building activities.
• Document gender equity and social inclusion and protection success stories and lessons learned and organize periodic learning events to share lessons with consortium members and other partners.
• Working closely with other components support in engaging government structure at LGA and state level.
• Provides technical support in critical stakeholders’ engagement, management, and linkage to community structures.
• Serve as the first point of contact to government at both state and LGA levels to ensure proper engagement and communications.
• Support coordination of CRS’ governance work with existing governance projects funded by other donors and other Germany Government-funded projects implemented by GIZ.

Required Languages – English is required. Knowledge of Hausa as a second language is appreciated.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 60%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Good writing skills
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Strong data collection and research skills and ability to interpret and analyze data

 Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Nigeria and particularly the Northeast will be a bonus.
• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Staff supervision experience a plus.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

 Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none) – None.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: GESI SPO, Social Cohesion Officer, Livelihoods Officer, MEAL Officer and SILC Officer, Infrastructure Specialist, and PM II

External: Government officials (MDAs), desk offices, local and international NGOs, coordination platforms and working groups, community leaders

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Degree in International Relations, political science, public administration or relevant field would be a plus.
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of local governance capacity strengthening and for an NGO.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Knowledge of program design requirements and regulations of major donors.
• Knowledge of latest technological tools that have the potential to be applied in gender and protection.
• Strong English writing skills.

Safeguarding

CRS is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all people who interact with our work. We uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and expect all staff and partners to respect and protect the dignity and rights of everyone from any form of harm, abuse, harassment, or exploitation. All staff are required to follow CRS’s safeguarding policies and procedures and to complete mandatory safeguarding e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

What we offer

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Note:  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

EOE/M/F/D/V – CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (For all US and International positions)

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer