Project Officer (Catholic Relief Services)- ECD Advocacy
About the job
Job Description
Reports To: Program Manager – ECD
Area of coverage: Project Officer 1 – Kisumu, Homabay and Nyamira
Project Officer 2 – Siaya, Busia, Vihiga, Kakamega
Length of Contract: 11 months (until May 2025)
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Catholic Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
CRS is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity, race or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners, including the Government to implement its programs.
CRS opened operations in Kenya in 1965. For over 50 years, we have worked throughout the country to implement programs in agriculture, livelihoods, health and nutrition, water, sanitation, emergency relief and peace building. We have built deep relationships with the Government of Kenya and the Catholic Church through ongoing collaboration and support.
Job Summary
As a lead for the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation ECD Advocacy Project, the role holder will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to implementing partner’s staff, advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.
Roles And Key Responsibilities
- Conduct sessions/trainings for Interfaith Leaders and other interfaith structures to inform understanding and influence on Early Childhood Development.
- Identify and participate in networks with relevant stakeholders and partners to build strategic relationships on key policy issues and advocacy opportunities including influencing existing National ECD Framework.
- In collaboration with faith leaders, develop and continually update ECD advocacy briefs to provide updates to stakeholders on relevant activities and accomplishments.
- Represent CRS in relevant governance, planning and lobby meetings at County levels.
- Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices .
- Work closely with County faith leaders in promoting ECD for children 0-3 years in the 7 counties of the Lake Region Economic Block through advocacy.
- Ensure, track, and report any learnings accompanying 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.
- Work closely with the faith leaders, MEAL and Finance Officers on various processes and resources to ensure timely 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 activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
- Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to the partner(s).
- Ensure project documentation for 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
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- 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
- Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
- Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity and inclusion including gender equality.
Required Languages – Excellent spoken and written English
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 70 %.
Key Working Relationships
Supervisory: None
Internal: Program Manager-ECD, MEAL, Finance Officers,
External: Implementing partner, faith leaders, relevant county government ministries, other likeminded ECD actors
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in in Early Childhood Development, Education, Social Work, Health, or related field.
- Minimum of 4 years of work experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.
- Strong policy, advocacy and research skills and ability to negotiate and network with a broad range of stakeholders.
- Experience of developing advocacy strategies, knowledge and understanding of a range of advocacy techniques
- Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
- Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
Agency REDI Competencies (for All CRS Staff)
Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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 enhances team and agency performance.
- Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
DISCLAIMER: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
What We Offer
CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package 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. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.
CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities.
CRS’ emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a baby room at the office, and flexible working hours where possible. Women are highly encouraged to apply.
By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.
The protection of your personal data is important to Catholic Relief Services. By submitting your application, you consent to CRS using your personal data only for the recruitment process to have all the information and documents necessary to proceed with the recruitment, validation of your application and selection of the most suitable candidate. Your personal data will be treated confidentially. CRS will not use your personal data in any other way other than for purposes of recruitment.
About Us
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.
Organization
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