As a Senior Project Officer in the Integrated Community Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Improvement (ICOWASH) project team, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) and Private Service Provider (PSP) activities related to the ICOWASH project. You are also expected to provide technical guidance and advice to staff, implementing partner(s), and community stakeholders. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the activities which you are responsible for apply best practices and constantly work toward improving the impact of project benefits.

Job Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead community mobilization and sensitization of Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) activities
• Conduct assessment and selection of Field Agents (FAs) to mobilize and manage SILC groups
• Lead the training of FAs on the coordination and management of SILC groups
• Conduct monitoring of SILC groups and FAs and provide technical support in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices
• Coordinate the assessment of FAs and provide recommendation on advancement to Private Service Providers (PSPs)
• Ensure project reporting compliance by developing monthly and annual SILC reports as well as contributing to annual and final project reports
• Capture and analyze SILC data in SAVIX database to inform ongoing project activities and support management decision
• Support business development efforts by contributing to WASH project design activities
• Assist with the comprehensive assessment of Project Officers

Number of employees supervised: none

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields (Development studies, social sciences, Business Administration). Advanced Degree Preferred.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of WASH and with an NGO
• Experience working with SILC/VSLAs (Demonstrable understanding on the mechanics of Savings and Loans groups)
• General understanding of WASH in rural context and livelihood activities at the community level
• Work experience in and ability to relate with rural populations especially women
• Clear understanding of gender dynamics and mainstreaming
• Ability to effectively communicate with beneficiaries, partners, and project staff
• Ability to develop project communication materials (presentations, reports, success stories, and BCC materials relevant to SILC)
• Ability to supervise and provide technical guidance to other staff
• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal Skills

• Analysis, problem-solving skills, and interest in numeracy 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

Travel Required: 40% Travel to the field

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: Project Officer

Internal: ICOWASH Project Manager, WASH Program Manager, Head of Programming, Project Officers, Project MEAL Officer

External: Field Agents, SILC Groups, other community stakeholders, and international organizations

 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
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

***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 a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.