Senior Project Officer – Savings and Internal Lending Communities (for Sierra Leonean Nationals only, position contingent on award of donor funding) 57 views0 applications

Job Title: Senior Project Officer – Savings and Internal Lending Communities

(for Sierra Leonean Nationals only, position contingent on award of donor funding)

Department: Programs

Band: 8

Reports To: Project Manager – Coffee, Cocoa, Cashew Value Chains

Country/Location: Sierra Leone/Freetown

Job Summary:

As a lead for the Integrated Approach to Strengthen Coffee, Cocoa, and Cashew Production and Quality in Sierra Leone project team, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating 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 for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve. You will be focused on implementation of the Savings and Internal Lending Community (SILC) groups across 6 districts.

Job Responsibilities:

· 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.

· Organize and lead training on SILC and financial education with participating communities and community level SILC supervisors.

· Facilitate roll out of the SILC Private Service Provider business model as part of the overall SILC component.

· Monitor and supervise SILC supervisors and agents and the mobilization and sensitization of communities on key project strategies to ensure community ownership of project

· 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.

· Monitor savings trends and prepare quarterly reports for submission to donor and HQ.

· 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 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 staff and partners.

· 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

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

· Bachelor’s degree required, with focus on microfinance, social development, international development a plus. Additional experience may substitute for some education.

· Minimum of 2-3 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of Agriculture and Livelihoods and for an NGO.

· Proven knowledge and experience in the Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) or Village Savings and Loans (VSLA) methodology

· 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).

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

Language Required

English, Krio, Mende

Travel Required

Regular travel from Freetown to sub-offices and field sites in Kenema, Kailahun, Bo, Tonkolili, Bombali, Portloko

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: Community-level SILC supervisors

Internal: Project Manager, Senior and Field Agronomists, Gender Officer, Head of Programs, Regional and Senior Technical Advisors for Agriculture

External: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, partners

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.

· Integrity

· Accountability & Stewardship

· Builds Relationships

· Develops Talent

· Continuous Improvement & Innovation

· Strategic Mindset

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Equal Opportunity Employer, women encouraged to apply