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 a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons based on need, regardless of creed, ethnicity, or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) opened operations in Kenya in 1965. For over 50 years, we have worked throughout the country to implement programs in agriculture, health, microfinance, water, sanitation, emergency relief and peacebuilding. We have built deep relationships with the Government of Kenya and the Catholic Church through ongoing collaboration and support. CRS’ projects in Kenya currently include agriculture, health, microfinance, emergency response, HIV care and treatment, and services for orphans and vulnerable children. CRS Kenya implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including the Catholic Church, other faith-based organizations and community entities for maximum impact and sustainability.
Background:
CRS, representing a consortium of international non-governmental organizations, local implementing partners and research institutions is leading the USAID Nawiri Project in Isiolo and Marsabit, a USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) funded 5-year Development Food Security Activity (DFSA) in Kenya. The overarching goal of this multi-se ctoral activity is to sustainably reduce persistent levels of acute malnutrition in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).
The activity will be implemented in two phases:
* Phase I (1.5-2 years) Research, test approaches and collaboratively design a context-sensitive, multi-sectoral activity that sustainably reduces acute malnutrition.
* Phase II (3- 3.5 years): Multi-sectoral Activity implementation and adaptation and Local System and Institutional Strengthening.
Job Summary:
As a member of the Nawiri project team, the Project Officer, Gender & Youth will support effective execution of Nawiri gender and youth focused strategies to ensure rigorous and efficient implementation of both the pilot and the gender youth and social dynamics (GYSD) analysis and the impacts on acute malnutrition. S/he will facilitate, monitor, and report on all project activities related to the gender and social norms. S/he will support consortium partners and local partners in coordinating and implementing pilot activities and related data collection for the gender youth and social dynamics analysis. The 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 the target communities.
Job Responsibilities:
* Support coordination and implementation of Nawiri interventions in Marsabit counties in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
* Support Nawiri project mapping, mobilization and reporting for the gender youth and social dynamics analysis validation and sensitization workshops
* Support implementation of SMART Couple pilot interventions, monitoring and evaluation during Nawiri research and design phase
* Lead capacity building and mentorship for the gender and social norms pilots and the gender youth and social dynamics analysis among the implementing communities
* Monitor and report 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 social behavior change (SBC) m onitoring and tracking including documenting community shifts in attitudes and perceptions on the drivers of acute malnutrition.
* Inform and gain in-depth understanding of key nutrition messaging and uptake of communication platforms in the community that are both nutrition specific and sensitive e.g. new platforms such as socialization within the targeted communities.
* Collect information on staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations including county government and monitor technical support activities to ensure effective impact.
* Collect information on provider-based gaps in initiating and sustaining behavior change (providers include Facility and Community healthcare workers, agriculture extension workers, social protection officers, financial inclusion persons and WASH officers in the community)
Travel Required
Nawiri project sites
Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory: None
Internal: County Head of Offices; Gender, Youth and Social Dynamics Lead; SBC Specialist: Nawiri Project Officers and all Nawiri Technical Leads
External: Consortium partners, Implementing partners, Marsabit County government bodies.
Personal Skills
* Observation, active listening, and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment.
* Good relationship management skills and ability to work with local partners, County governments, and local community members.
* Ability to exercise diplomacy and tact demonstrated through previous roles that require communication with broad and diverse groups and partners.
* Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
* Ability to work in challenging and changing environments, see through challenges to find solutions.
* Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
Required/Desired Foreign Language
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; ability to draft and edit reports.
* Excellent verbal communication skills in Kiswahili with local Marsabit County dialects a plus.
* Preference will be given to candidates from Marsabit County
Basic Qualifications
* Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Gender and Development Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, or other relevant fields.
* Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in project support in ASAL areas of Kenya
* Experience with conducting gender and youth analyses, assessments and evaluations and other related research, including applying data collection tools and methodologies.
* Deep understanding of gender and youth dynamics, nutrition and operational research in Northern Kenya similar livelihood and geographic contexts (a plus)
* Experience in participatory action planning, community engagement and projects monitoring.
* Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
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
* Continuous Improvement & Innovation
* Builds Relationships
* Develops Talent
* Strategic Mindset
* Accountability & Stewardship
What we offer
CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
***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.
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. CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
EOE/M/F/D/V – CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (For all US and International positions)
Closing Date: December 03, 2020
Catholic Relief Services 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 a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
More Information
- Job City Marsabit
