Job Title: Project Officer – Gender
(for Sierra Leonean Nationals only, position contingent on award of donor funding)
Department: Programs
Band: 7
Reports To: Project Manager – Coffee, Cocoa, Cashew Value Chains
Country/Location: Sierra Leone/Freetown, Kenema, Kailahun, Bo, Tonkolili, Bombali, Portloko
CRS Background
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.
Country Background
CRS launched its work in Sierra Leone in 1963 supporting relief and development operations in the country. CRS Sierra Lone has proudly maintained a strong reputation and relationship with partners and the communities we serve in the country implementing a multi-sector program portfolio. Today, CRS Sierra Leone has a robust portfolio built around several major programs in Education, Nutrition, Health, Agriculture, and Urban Resilience. CRS Sierra Leone has its main office in Freetown, with over 140 staff in total across the country.
Job Summary:
As a member of the Integrated Approach to Strengthen Coffee, Cocoa, and Cashew (CCC) Production and Quality in Sierra Leone project team, you will monitor and report on all project activities in support of Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your 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, with attention to the project’s gender transformative approach (GTA) and integrating gender throughout all phases of the project cycle.
Job Responsibilities:
· Manage roll out of the project’s GTA approach across 6 districts, including overseeing adaptation of the facilitator’s manual, training project staff, managing quality of cascade trainings to community members, monitoring the delivery of GTA activities that are implemented in project targeted communities, and documenting lessons learned and good practices.
· In coordination with project staff, integrate gender equality concerns into all phases of the project cycle, including but not limited to value chain analyses, implementation plans, monitoring and evaluation plans, accountability mechanisms, do no harm principles, and staff capacity building.
· Support the coordination and 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.
· Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform gender equality-related 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 sex-disaggregated project data and gender sensitive indicators per specified mechanisms and tools. Collaborate with local partner(s) to prepare reports per established reporting schedule.
· Collect information on gender equality-related staff capacity building and technical assistance needs of CRS and partner staff 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.
· Serve as the Gender Focal Point for the country program, which includes leading gender integration, equity and equality initiatives within organizational as well as programming dimensions throughout the country program.
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education and Experience
· Bachelor’s degree required, with focus on gender integration and empowerment, social development, international development a plus. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
· Minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support. Experience in the fields of Agriculture and Gender Integration and for an NGO would be a plus. Supervisory experience would be a plus.
· Additional education may substitute for some experience.
· 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).
Personal Skills
· 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
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 GTA agents
Internal: Project Manager, SILC Manager, MEAL Officer, Senior and Field Agronomists, Head of Programs, Regional Technical Advisor for Gender Equality
External: Partners, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
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
More Information
- Job City Freetown