CRS Moldova is hiring Senior Project Officer Livelihoods

Job Title: Senior Project Officer: Livelihoods
Reports to:  Program Manager
Department:  Programming
Salary Grade: 8
Contract Duration: 6 months, with the opportunity to extend
Location: Chisinau, Moldova
 

Interested candidates are welcome to apply by sending their CV with email to crsapplicationsmd@crs.org  mentioning in the subject line the title of the position "Senior Project Officer Livelihoods".

  About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. 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 is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

 CRS in Moldova
CRS has operated in different capacities in Moldova since 2004. Working with local partners, CRS implements an integrated, multisectoral portfolio of humanitarian and development assistance. Since 2022, CRS Moldova, has focused on addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of Ukrainian refugees, through multi-purpose cash assistance, education, accommodation assistance and livelihoods assistance. CRS also collaborates with governmental and non-governmental partners on the Changing the Way We Care initiative to end the placement of children in residential care institutions.

Job Summary

Along with our partners, CRS Moldova works to provide safe, dignified homes for refugees, cash assistance and psychological first aid training to social workers and humanitarian frontline staff. CRS is also working with partners to deliver extra-curricular activities to support refugee children in a nurturing, supportive, and fun environment where they can have the childhood they deserve.

 As a key member of the CRS Moldova project team, and in close coordination with local partners, you will play a critical role in in support of Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work to serve conflict-affected Ukrainians in Moldova. As a Senior Project Officer you will lead the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities related to livelihoods. You will also be responsible for providing technical guidance and advice to staff and local partner(s) on livelihoods activities. 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.

 Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead the implementation of all livelihoods project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices
• Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding staff and partners in their efforts to collect monitoring data and reflect on project experiences
• 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
• Develop partner-specific implementation plans and provide input into Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and associated documents, including developing technical manuals for staff. Support timely implementation of activities with partners through holistic support model
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules
• Lead on development of information, education and communication materials for participants related to livelihoods
• Develop and deliver technical trainings (in-person and/or remotely) for partners on SOPs and other project guidelines and assist with training needs
• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various processes with partners at project sites to ensure timely project activities implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures

 Other Responsibilities:
·        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
• Participate and represent CRS in Working Groups and meetings
• Prepare and submit required reports for Livelihoods Program when necessary
• Work closely with the MEAL and Accountability teams ensuring that Feedback Mechanisms are in alignment with CRS principles

 Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required. Degree in International Relations or in the field of Social Sciences or Communications would be a plus.
• Minimum of 1-2 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of humanitarian response, refugee integration or livelihoods and for an NGO.
• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning, designing and delivering trainings, capacity building and community engagement.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

 Required Languages –Spoken proficiency in English and Romanian/Russian required, Ukrainian a plus

 Travel Required – 40% travel to project locations around Moldova whenever is needed (transportation is provided by CRS)

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Good planning and coordination skills and ability to prioritize competing priorities effectively
• Good analytical skills with ability to make independent judgment and decisions
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented with focus on meeting customer needs
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Good negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills and ability to work closely with other actors

 Preferred Qualifications 

Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.
Experience in business consulting and in developing business strategies.
Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
Proficient in MS Office package (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 are 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. And 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 perspectives or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
 

Supervisory Responsibilities – None

 Key Working Relationships 

Internal: CRS Programming and Operations team, partner team, MEAL team, Technical Advisors

External:  Caritas Moldova, Diaconia, other Stakeholders

 ***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 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 prioritizes candidates who are citizens/permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer