Job Title:      Sr. Project Officer

Reports to:   Program Manager

Department:  Programming

About CRS 

Catholic Relief Services is United States Based international humanitarian agency. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

CRS has been operational in Pakistan since 1954. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through program of emergency response, food security/livelihood, education, and disaster risk reduction (DRR). Currently, CRS is responding to monsoon floods in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. CRS has been working with local national partners to support government led efforts for implementation of 2022 flood response and recovery in Pakistan.

Job Summary  

CRS is currently seeking a Senior Project Officer (SPO) for an 18-month integrated project named "SUSTAIN - Kamangar (Sustainable Settlements Towards Adaptation, Innovation, and Nature)." This project encompasses sectors such as access to basic infrastructures, disaster preparedness and capacity strengthening, and resilient livelihoods, aiming that flood affected communities having safe, resilient, and dignified living in sustainable settlements. The SPO will assist and work closely with Project Manager to manage and implement the project activities and provide leadership and technical expertise to partner in the field of improved access to climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure. Responsibilities also include strengthening local authorities' preparedness capacities, improving socio-economic and environmental resilience, and ensuring WASH services meet the humanitarian and recovery needs of the population. Based on lesson learned of CRS’ CLADER programing and Climate Resilient Settlement Development Plan (CRSDP), The SPO will support Program Manager to ensure effective MEAL system and process are in place that support high-quality programing and integration within the project and systems to adopt people centered approaches in all programs activities, coordination with relevant actors to ensure a holistic intervention.  Your implementation and management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its programming. In addition, build the capacity of the program and partners’ staff and work closely with them to coordinate the development and implementation of the various development interventions.

Roles and Key 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.
• 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.
• 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. Review and manage implementation procedures of distribution of goods and services through proper planning and coordination.
• 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.
• Ensure programming is aligned to targets and indicators contained in the project proposal and use the information from the MEAL systems and tools to improve program effectiveness and ensure the program is gender responsive.
• Champion learning with project staff and program partner teams. Analyze and evaluate project performance data following MEAL policy. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.
• Review and manage implementation procedures, policies, and guidelines.
• Collaborate with PM for the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
• Support project team for technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for improved access to climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure, strengthen local authorities' preparedness capacity, enhance socio-economic and environmental resilience and WASH program areas for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Assist project team ensuring gender equality, social inclusion, and youth empowerment across all interventions, promoting women-led businesses and youth-led sustainable earning initiatives.
• Support PM to ensure programming is aligned to targets and indicators contained in the project proposal and use the information from the MEAL systems and tools to improve program effectiveness and ensure the program is gender responsive.
• Actively engage CRS staff and partners and proactively network and engagement with relevant private and public institutes, including research institutions and leading businesses and donor community in developing and carrying out program activities.
• Support PM to compile the best practices and lessons learned from the project for sharing with SPHF, SHRRP, government officials, and relevant working groups.
• Organize and carryout a stakeholder analysis and development of a power interest matrix in collaboration with PM and project team to understand stakeholders’ interests, needs, and constraints to inform the scaling vision, approach, and activities, and to ensure that the proposed solution(s) meet the stated need/demand of the scaling entities that we aim to influence (government, SPHF, UN, shelter actors, etc)
• Assist training sessions /workshops for local authorities and community-based disaster management committees and other stakeholders to enhance their leadership, coordination, and disaster response capabilities.
• Assist collaboration with district administration to activate District Disaster Management Committees (DDMCs), facilitating coordination, resource mobilization, training, and community engagement to enhance local disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
• Assist PM working closely with taluka administrations to strengthen Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Forums at the taluka level, focusing on enhancing coordination, implementing resilience-building measures, and fostering community engagement to mitigate disaster risks effectively.
• Ensure social technical support to community institutions for the implementation of WASH initiatives in accordance with SPHF guidelines and specifications.
• Support to organize and oversee training sessions on livelihood skills, entrepreneurship, and green technologies for targeted households and entrepreneurs.
• Provide technical assistance and support to ensure successful adoption and application of new skills and technologies.

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor's Degree required in social sciences/development studies/DRR, or other related field required.
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of community-based development projects i.e. Community Infrastructure, WASH, livelihoods, and DRR, preferably with an international organization. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Practical experience of engaging in all phases of project cycle (design, start up, implementation, evaluation and close out) as well as team management, budget management etc.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and mobilize diverse partners including the private sector, develop strategic partnerships and stakeholder networks, and communicate, and coordinate among key stakeholders.

Required Languages - Required proficiency in written and speaking in English, Urdu, and Sindhi.

Travel – The position will be based in Meher/Dadu and must be willing and able to travel to Karachi and Islamabad where applicable. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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).

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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. 

• 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. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: Country Manager, HOP, HoOP, National Coordinator, H&C, Project Managers, HR and Finance.

External:  Local NGOs/Partners, UN/INGO/NNGO, Government of Pakistan, Vendors, Consultants/ Service Providers.

*** 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 is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

*Note: Interested candidates may also send their updated CV at [email protected] by mentioning the position in the subject line.