Senior Project Officer-Health & Nutrition

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. CRS has been working in Ethiopia for nearly 60 years, responding to natural and man-made disasters affecting Ethiopia's most vulnerable communities. Moving beyond emergency response, CRS' disaster mitigation and recovery projects in drought and flood-prone areas have rebuilt individual and community assets through non-food aid in the form of agriculture, livestock, health, nutrition, and water and sanitation assistance.

Job Summary:

As a key player for the RFSA Health & Nutrition project team, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating, ensuring implementations and reporting on all 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 focusing on Health and strategic nutrition interventions that also feeds to the system for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Job Responsibilities:

• Organize and play key role in the implementation of all assigned RFSA Health & Nutrition 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 RFSA Health & Nutrition 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.
• Ensure quality and timely field level implementation of the Nutrition program (Mainly NCGM, CCFLS and Adolescent Nutrition, NSA, etc) against set objectives, targets, and work plans.
• Ensure standard Nutrition interventions of high quality and in line with the National Nutrition Programme (NNP), National Nutrition Strategy (NNS), 1000 days principle and Seqota declarations.
• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all local project stakeholders, consortium members 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 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.
• Ensure the capacity building of CRS nutrition team and partner staff through on-the-job training, technical guidance and coaching sessions while ensuring staff performance evaluation plans are developed.
• Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities to ensure assigned RFSA Health and Nutrition activities (contributing to the system) are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
• Actively monitor programs/projects through regular field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Ensure appropriate support to the nutrition team by regular field visits and provide targeted technical feedback. 
• 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.
• Support the PM and the HN TA in Coordinating and monitoring of financial and material resources relevant to RFSA HN needs. As required, represent CRS RFSA in different platforms focused on Health and Nutrition at Zonal and Woreda levels.
• Engage in other activities as assigned by the HN PM, HN TA or other RFSA senior managers.

Scope: (Number of employees supervised or revenues responsible for. If appropriate and available, then include them, otherwise state “Not Applicable”)

·      Not Applicable

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

·      Master’s degree in public health or health related.

·      Minimum of 3 or 5 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of Health and Nutrition and for an NGO.

·      Knowledge of local project area language (Afaan Oromoo) is mandatory.

·      Experience of partners and line governments support is a plus.

·      Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.

·      Experience monitoring projects and collecting analyzing & interpreting relevant data.

·      Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal 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.

Required Foreign Language:  proficiency in English, and local language of project implementation area (Afaan Oromoo).

Travel Required: Extensive travel (50% or above) to project implementation areas.

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: N/A

Internal: RFSA Chief of Party, RFSA Deputy Chief of Party for Programing, RFSA Health and Nutrition Programme Manager, HN TA, RFSA sectors team leaders and their teams, other CRS HN staffs, relevant Country Program staff.

External: Implementing partners, consortium members, representatives from for-profit and other non-profit organizations, and other relevant GoE stakeholders.

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 enhance 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.

How to Apply:

If you are ready to take on this rewarding opportunity and make a difference in the lives of others, you may fill the application form through this link: https://form.jotform.com/241352973118558 and attach your up-to-date CV on / before the application deadline May 26, 2024. You will be contacted only if selected for written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted. These job opportunities are open to Ethiopian nationals only.

***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. 

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. 

CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. 

** Qualified women & persons with disability are highly encouraged to apply**

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer