Job Title:                             Senior Project Officer – Health and Nutrition, KAAFIA+ (Ref: 2023/003)

Department:                      Program Quality – Emergency Programs

Grade:                                  8

Reports To:                         Program Manager I Health and Nutrition – KAAFIA+

Country/Location:           Baidoa, Bay Region, Southwest State of Somalia.               

Length of Contract:         12 months with opportunity for renewal based on donor funding.

About CRS

CRS is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need, without regard to race, religion, or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through programs such as emergency response, health, livelihoods, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

CRS has a long history of supporting local civil-society organizations in Somalia and has implemented development and emergency programming in multiple sectors, primarily supported by the United States Agency for International Development. CRS’ work in Somalia supports populations across 6 regions of Somalia, with emergency presence concentrated in the South-Central area. CRS Somalia’s large flagship project currently covers the sectors of WASH, Health, Nutrition, Protection for the most vulnerable populations (SHARPEN). CRS has been working closely with and channelling resources and support to local organizations in Somalia since the 1960s. In addition to high-value emergency response and peacebuilding projects, CRS is also working on developing additional activities, including the newly funded Cash Assistance, Nutrition, and Accountability project (CashNCaps).

Job Summary:

As a member of the Somalia Emergency portfolio team and reporting to the Program Manager – Health and Nutrition, the Senior Project Officer – Health and Nutrition, KAAFIA+ will take lead in oversight role, coordination, evaluation and ensure timely reporting of KAAFIA+ health and nutrition interventions, with support from the KAAFIA+ Health and Nutrition PM, Partners Health and Nutrition Project Managers, officers and CRS Health and Nutrition TA advisors. Your management skills, technical knowledge and professional experience will ensure that KAAFIA+ Programme delivers high-quality health and nutrition programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its programming.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• In close collaboration with the health and nutrition program manager, Local Implementing Partners (LIPS), provide technical support and oversee CRS projects (health, nutrition, and food project sectors) in Gedo, Bay, Bakool and Banaadir regions to ensure timely and quality programming.
• Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned health and Nutrition 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 routine supportive supervision of various processes, activities, and resources at project sites to ensure timely project activities implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures.
• Ensure close proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partner.
• Coordinate with partners to ensure the health and nutrition activities are implemented as per the approved DIP and Procurement plans.
• Support and coordinate capacity building initiatives and technical support activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
• Ensure all Health and Nutrition reports are submitted on time to sector Health and nutrition reporting databases/ platforms by our partners.
• Actively participate in Health and Nutrition cluster, MOH coordination foras at National and subnational level to strengthen CRS visibility within Somalia Humanitarian ecosystem.
• Attend relevant humanitarian cluster coordination meetings at district/regional, prepare, and submit weekly project sectors update situation reports to the Health and Nutrition Program manager.
• 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.
• Work closely with CRS and Partners MEAL and Programme teams to develop Health and Nutrition M&E tools for tracking KAAFIA+ implementation progress.
• Any other duty assigned by a supervisor/line manager.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong Programme management and report writing skills.
• Strong relationship and team player skills, and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Sound knowledge and skills in training and facilitation.
• Good coordination, creative and innovative skills.
• Should be very adaptive and responsive, due to the fragile nature of Programme context.
• Great writing and review skills to develop and review high quality success stories.
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion including gender equality.

Required Languages – English and Somali required.  

Travel Required

• Based in Baidoa District, with frequent travel to project locations.
• Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% of the time to KAAFIA+ Health and Nutrition project locations outside Baidoa (currently Luuq, Garbaharey, Burdhubo, Belet Xawo under Gedo Region, and Bakool (Hudur) and occasionally to Mogadishu) for supportive supervision and strengthen CRS and Partners Sectoral teams’ coordination.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: Country Manager, Emergency Coordinator, Programme Manager, Technical Advisors, Programme teams (KAAFIA+ and NABADOON), MEAL team, Accountability Officer, procurement, Security, Fleet, Finance and Admin Officers.

External: Partner staff, consultants, volunteers, CHWs, lead mothers, Vendors, Other stakeholders (Nutrition and Health Sector Coordinators, MoH, Community leaders and members.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, Nutrition, Medicine; additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 5 years professional experience in managing Emergency health and nutrition programmes in complex humanitarian context preferably Somalia.
• Additional field experience in Health and Nutrition programming, preferably with an International INGO may substitute for some education.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 3-5 years professional working experience in Emergency Health and Nutrition programming is highly desirable.
• Experience engaging and coordinating partner organizations.
• Experience in conducting partners routine supportive supervision and capacity building of Partner staffs to improve Programme quality.
• Experience in working with Health and nutrition Cluster coordination platforms and familiar with Cluster reporting requirements.
• Experience contributing to the development of concept notes and technical proposals.
• Strong MEAL skills and experience preferred.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

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.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

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.

CRS’ emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a baby room at the office, and flexible working hours where possible.

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.

CRS Somalia strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.

CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.If your qualifications and experience meet this job requirements, please submit a written application, quoting the job title and reference number, and updated CV including daytime contact phone numbers, as well as names and contact information of three references to reach the below mentioned by close of business, Wednesday, September 27, 2023.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.

Human Resources Manager

Catholic Relief Services-Kenya/Somalia program

Email: [email protected]

Note: CRS does not charge any fees from applicants for any recruitment. Further, CRS has not retained any agent in connection with this recruitment.

If your qualifications and experience meet this job requirements, please submit a written application, quoting the job title and reference number, and updated CV including daytime contact phone numbers, as well as names and contact information of three references to reach the below mentioned by close of business, Wednesday, September 27, 2023.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.

Human Resources Manager

Catholic Relief Services-Kenya/Somalia program

Email: [email protected]

Note: CRS does not charge any fees from applicants for any recruitment. Further, CRS has not retained any agent in connection with this recruitment.