Job Opportunities at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Opportunities at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist person on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established presence in Nigeria m 2000 and currently focuses on agriculture, HIV and health extractives and governance, and peace building programming.

Position: Agriculture Team Lead

Department: USAID Feed the Future Nigeria Livelihoods Project
Band: E1
Reports to: Technical Program Director
Based in: Abuja
Duration: 2 Years(with possibility of extension)

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
1.    Lead the implementation of Intermediate Result (IR) 1 - HHs Have Diversified & Increased Agricultural Production and Productivity
2.    Collaborate with program stakeholders in the milleVsorghum/maize/cowpea/ground-nut/soybean/rice and small ruminant (sheep and goat) and non-ruminant (poultry) value chains, including private sector, trade associations, NGOs, government agencies, universities, research agencies, value chain actors. other donor programs and strategic partners and transform this into gains for small holder famers
3.    Assist smallholder farmers in adopting new technology and other innovations for increased productivity, quality, efficiency, management, etc through tailored trainings and demonstration trials
4.    Identify promising areas for productivity-enhancing interventions in the millet/sorghum/maize/cowpealground-nut/soybeanlrice and small ruminant (sheep and goat) and non-ruminant (poultry) value chains for smallholder farmers and mobilize specialized consultants to address constraints, propose pilot interventions, develop training programs, and
propose promising public private partnership in these sectors.
5.    Design and implement an extension strategy for rolling out SMART skills (Ag extension trainings) and agronomic trainings in the context of the project. This will include strategies for working with producer groups (processors inclusive) to deliver multiple technologies including small livestock production that will make agribusiness work for small holders.
6.    With support from Technical Program Director and SnAs design and implement a business models for commercializing village agro-dealers and delivery processing/post-harvest equipment (as well as PICS storage bags) that will stimulate rural agribusiness that guarantees sustainability in project locations.
7.    In collaboration with M&E Director, be involved in M&E system development for the quality collection of data in the field. Ensure CSO program teams field-test and revise monitoring tools as required. Work with the Technical Program Director, M&E Director and program staff to identify and implement appropriate ICT4D solutions (including training of CSOs and project
officers) for registration of producers' groups and tracking of their agricultural business performance.
8.    With Technical Program Director and TAs, organize and support technical trainings. community of practice meetings and document best practices, lesson learned and success stories.
9.    Develop and maintain strong collaboration with CRS and partner organizations in the carry out of the project with emphasis on improved agricultural production for increased productivity
10.    Work with ICRISAT, IITA and NARS on the timely and effective use of resource persons and demonstration activities

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:      
1.    Master's degree in Agriculture or related field
2.    At least six years of working experience in agriculture, development or food security programs with a focus on supporting sustainable agriculture with small-holderfarmers.
3.    Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook
4.    Experience with participatory methods and partnerships
5.    Proven experience in developing effective business models for sustainable services for small holder farmers.
6.    Proven experience in analyzing gender and applying gender-responsive methods to project
implementation.
7.    Excellent English language oral and written communication skills training and facilitation skills. Fluency in Hausa language is an added advantage as well as experience with northern Nigerian
agriculture.
8.    Understanding of faith-based organizations and capacity-building in local partnerships
9.    Experience in staff development and partner capacity
10.    Understanding of U.S Government grant provisions, policies and guidelines, including reporting requirements and Caritas agencies
11.         Willingness and ability to travel at least 50% of time.

Position: Senior Program Manager

Department: USAID Feed the Future Nigeria Livelihoods Project
Band: E1
Reports to: Technical Program Director
Based in: Sokoto
Duration: 2 Years (with possibility of extension)

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
1.    Works closely with technical team leads and be responsible for ensuring program implementation by CSOs adhere to technical standards
2.    Serve as the point person for CSO program implementation including supporting CSOs in developing work plans including targets as set by the program and monitor program implementation, addressing issue and challenges effectively and in a timely manner
3.    Ensure that CSO partners prepare regular/timely cash forecasts and keep the program leadership informed on any irregularities or delays in provision of resources.
4.    Together with the Technical Program Director and partners, identify capacity building needs for partner/CSO staff
5.    Support CSO budget development and timely signing of annual agreements with project. Monitor compliance with agreements
6.    Ensure CSOs submit their reports on time and with high quality.
7.    Provide strong representation of the program and with support from the State Coordinators and Program Managers, ensure govemmentsupport and establish result-yielding relationship with state government
8.    Support assessments of CSO/partners sub grantees, provides mentorship to CSOs in the design and implementation of service delivery
9.    With Technical Program Director, State Coordinators and Team leads, organize and support technical trainings and community of practice meetings.
10.    Contribute generally to the process of seeking government support to program implementation and prioritization, including the identification and allocation of specific overnment resources to the project
11.    Work with the Technical Program Director and program staff to identify and implement appropriate ICf4D solutions to improve timeliness and quality of M&E and project implementation by CSOs
12.    Provide support to any formal or informal training events organized by the project for staff and/or partners, including learning assessments, planning and facilitation guides.
13.    In collaboration with Technical Program Director; coordinate program communication strategies with CSOs/partners, including compliance with donor's branding and marketing requirements, as well as CRS marketing and communication procedures
14.    Manage state coordination and CSO coordination to ensure consistency and quality in program implementation as well as communication in target communities.
15.    Assume other duties as requested by the Technical Program Director

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:
1.    Master's degree in Agriculture, Development Studies or related field
2.    At least six years of working experience in agriculture, development odood security programs including focus on at least one ofthe following sectors agriculture, livelihoods, nutrition, or governance
3.    Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook
4.    Experience with participatory methods and partnerships
5.    Excellent English language oral and written communication, training and facilitation skills. Fluency in Hausa language is an added advantage as well as experience with northern Nigerian agriculture. Sokoto or Kebbi State indigenes are strongly encouraged to apply.
6.    Proven experience in analyzing gender and applying gender-responsive methods to project implementation.
7.    Understanding offaith-based organizations and capacity-building in local partnerships
8.    Experience in staff development and partner capacity
9.    Understanding of U.S Government grant provisions, policies and guidelines, including reporting
requirements and Caritas agencies
10.    Willingness and abilityto travel at least 50% of time

Position: Data Manager

Department: Feed the Future Nigeria livelihoods Project
Reports To: Monitoring and Evaluation Director
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Duration: 2 years (with possibility of extension)

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Data Manager is responsible for providing technical leadership in the design of ICT solutions, including mobile applications and the Nigeria livelihoods Project database, and for ensuring efficient design, Implementation, and maintenance of these components of the M&E system. The data manager will assume overall responsibility for the successful delivery of all ICT solutions, management of the database, and support a wide range of program support initiatives and research activities. S/he will also work closely with the project M&E Director and the CRS MEAL coordinator to integrate ICT tools across project activities. S/he will support all electronic data collection, management and mapping needs, proposing budgets for ICT projects, development and management of scopes of work for ICT 40 contractors, and promoting ICT within the program. S/he will be the project point-of-contact for ICT readily available to provide technical support and mentorship to end users of ICT solution to progressively build skills in application of ICT solutions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:
1.    Bachelor's degree in Information Technology/Computer Science
2.    Minimum three years relevant experience working with ICT 40 solutions
3.    Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, SharePoint. ARC GIS Desktop 10, ARC GIS Online, Web Matrix)
4.    Working familiarity with higher order languages such as Java, UML, JavaScript and PHP
5.    Strong analytical and organizational skills
6.    Experience working in an international environment
7.    Ability to coordinate effectively with other departments
8.    Ability to manage time, prioritize tasks and respond quiCkly to requests
9.    Excellent communication, interpersonal and problem solving skills
10.   Comfortable providing on the job training
11.    Knowledge of international development practices
12.    Ability to stay abreast of technological developments and the willingness to apply those to the job
14.    Ability to work effectively with donors and partner organizations and as part of multi-disciplinary team
15.    Computer skills inclusive of Microsoft Office and statistical packages such as SPSS, EPI-Info
16.    Self-guided, strong organizational and planning skills
17.    Excellent written and verbal communications skills; local language skills desirable
18.    Willingness to travel at least 50 percent of the time to project sites within the country and work long hours.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should download the application form using this link http://goo.gl/8OOQcp and send with a detailed resume as attached MS word documents to NG_HR@global.crs.org

Completed applications should reach us before 5pm, Thursday 26th of April, 2015. Applicants must explicitly state the position and location applied for in the application form and in the subject of their email e.g. Senior Program Manager Sokoto State. Only applications sent in the required format will be considered and only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Equal opportunity:
CRS is an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, etc. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply".

Statement of commitment to protection:
"CRS' recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation".