CRS is recruiting in anticipation of an award – recruitment for all candidates is contingent upon successful award of the project.

Background

CRS is seeking Project Officers candidates for an anticipated multi-county child development, care, and protection project. The overall objective of the project is to strengthen national systems that protect vulnerable children, support families, and improve early childhood development through locally led and sustainable approaches. The project will improve outcomes for vulnerable children by strengthening child protection systems, supporting families and caregivers, advancing integrated early childhood health and development, and reducing reliance on residential care.

Job Summary

As a member of the project team, the Project Officers will coordinate and support project implementation in targeted districts in collaboration with government counterparts, local partners, community structures, and faith-based networks. The incumbent will support child protection systems strengthening, ECD services, family strengthening, referrals, family-based care, case management, monitoring, and reporting. The Project Officer’s thorough and service-oriented approach will ensure that the project consistently applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed workplan/implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Monitor and report on any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Assist partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.
• Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and assisting partners in their efforts to collect and analyze project data per specified mechanisms and tools. Collaborate with local partner(s) to prepare reports per established reporting schedule.
• Collect information on staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and monitor capacity building and technical support activities to ensure effective impact.
• Complete project documentation for assigned activities. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of work experience in project support.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience in the field of Child Protection and in an NGO
• Required Languages – English and Chichewa
• Travel – 25 %.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none)

None

Key Working Relationships:

Internal

External

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, a field of Child Protection, or a related field.
• Fresh graduates may be considered for the role.
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• 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 U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role. CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

• Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed workplan/implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Monitor and report on any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Assist partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.
• Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and assisting partners in their efforts to collect and analyze project data per specified mechanisms and tools. Collaborate with local partner(s) to prepare reports per established reporting schedule.
• Collect information on staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and monitor capacity building and technical support activities to ensure effective impact.
• Complete project documentation for assigned activities. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.

• Proficient in using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

• Minimum of 2 years of work experience in project support.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience in the field of Child Protection and in an NGO
• Required Languages – English and Chichewa
• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, a field of Child Protection, or a related field.
• Fresh graduates may be considered for the role.
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.