Job Description

Posted on December 14, 2020

About CRS
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the 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 part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need.
Project Summary
Children who grow up in safe, healthy, nurturing families have better outcomes in life—including improved cognitive, emotional, and social development, better health, and greater success in school. To help break the cycle of poverty, CRS is implementing the Inclusive Family Support Project in Zambia to create more resilient families and communities.
CRS’ Children in Families Strategic Change Platform is a bold initiative to strengthen families. The goal of the platform is to help vulnerable children thrive in safe, healthy, and nurturing families; create more resilient and supportive communities; and work with governments to establish policies and systems that strengthen families. CRS also advocates with governments, donors, and other regional and global stakeholders to direct resources and support to strengthening families.
Through the Inclusive Family Support Project in Zambia, CRS will build upon decades of experience in community and family strengthening activities—and our strong partnerships with the Catholic Church, governments, and local organizations—to ensure families in targeted communities have the resources and skills to care for children. To strengthen families, CRS will help caregivers learn and practice positive parenting; connect isolated families with supportive communities; help children—especially children with disabilities—attend remote or in-school learning and access health and social services; and build families’ resources through savings groups, cash grants, school vouchers and financial education.
Job Summary
The Social Welfare Project Officer will be responsible for providing technical support and monitoring parenting education and disability interventions delivered by local implementing partners to target beneficiaries. The Project Officer will work closely with relevant government ministries and stakeholders to ensure effective linkages and referrals for partners and beneficiaries. The Project Officer will be expected to work in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices and guide project partner staff to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable.
Job Responsibilities
Provide technical assistance to local implementing partners as they work to support target communities and households with parenting and disability services, through regular trainings, mentoring and coaching sessions.
Coordinate all assigned project parenting and disability activities, trainings, and related resources.
Support linkages and effective referral of target project beneficiaries to other stakeholder social welfare services, resources and activities.
Build partner capacity by delivering training of trainers and conducting regular field visits for monitoring and supportive supervision for the parenting and disability components.
Participate in the identification and selection of consultants as and when needed.
Participate in the development and validation exercises of an inclusive parenting manual.
Monitor and report any programmatic challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
Build effective coordination and collaboration relationships with relevant government ministries.
Assist partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences pertaining to parenting and disability interventions.
Participate in project learning, reflection and documentation exercises.
Support documentation of project lessons learnt and success stories.
Collaborate with local partners to prepare reports and necessary supporting documentation per established reporting schedule.
Support implementing partners in providing supportive supervision to enhance efficiency and accuracy in service delivery for increased accountability.
Complete project documentation for assigned activities.
Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Social work preferred.
Minimum of 3 years of work experience in project support and social services. Experience with an NGO a plus.
Experience in participatory action planning, community engagement, and designing and delivering trainings.
Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
Experience using MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
Familiarity assisting with the implementation of projects in rural Copperbelt and Luapula (preferred).
Time management and the ability to focus on multiple priorities.
Personal Skills
Observation, active listening and analytical skills with ability to make sound judgment
Good interpersonal 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
Ability to work as part of diverse and multi-cultural team
Required/Desired Foreign Language
Fluent English and Bemba
Travel Required: 50% (frequent travel to field project sites)
Key Working Relationships
Internal: Program Manager – Family Strengthening, CCC Project Manager.
External: Implementing partner staff and consultants, relevant government actors, other key stakeholders such as local chiefs and councilors.
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.
Serves with Integrity
Models Stewardship
Cultivates Constructive Relationships
Promotes Learning
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
Important Note: 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.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Applicant Instructions: Please email a cover letter, and curriculum vitae which should include three references to: crszambiajobs@crs.org. Please include the position you are applying for in the subject line.
The closing date for applications is 20th December 2020. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.