Project Officer Sr - Local Governance Capacity Strengthening (Nigerian Nati

at  Catholic Relief Services

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.

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.

• 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.
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  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%.