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.

Job Summary:

As a member of the F2F Bina Aljusur project, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. You will ensure that the F2F’s Challenge grant making procedures are adhered to by program staff and grantees. The Challenge Fund Senior Project Officer (SPO)will facilitate consultations to inform the design of the challenge fund and support the project team in the evaluation of proposals and selection of grantees.  She/he will provide sensitization to potential challenge fund applicants about the nature and objectives of the fund and ensure a buy in by both the private sector and the target communities.

• 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.
• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with Challenge Fund applicants and serve as the liaison between them and the team to promote project activities and impact.
• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support for Challenge Fund, such as organizing physical and online information sessions for potential applicants, organize for Interested parties to contact the Fund Manager to discuss ideas and seek guidance or support for concept note development, and ensuring that incoming proposals and declinations are properly recorded in the grants management system.
• Provide technical support to challenge fund applicants throughout the process to ensure alignment with project guidelines and standards. Once projects are selected for implementation, organize tailor made technical support to maximize delivery of results.
• Support the country team in review of concept notes, proposals, organization capacity assessment and budgets as well as scheduling reporting requirements and payments for all new grant investments
• 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. Conduct regular monitoring of grantees to ensure effective implementation and monitor grants for closure and make follow up with program staff and grantees.
• Ensure all grant and contract documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements.
• 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.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Economics or Business Administration
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support, ideally in agribusiness grantee monitoring and support.
• Experience as an agricultural loans officer is an added advantage
• Demonstrated ability to provide training and on-site support to grantees on compliance
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.

Required Languages - Fluent written and spoken Arabic and professional level of written and spoken English required.

Travel- Position is based in El Daein, East Darfur. Must be willing and able to travel up to 70% to project areas in East and South Kordofan.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• 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.

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

Supervisory Responsibilities :None

Key Working Relationships: 

• Internal: Bina Aljusur DCoP, Project Officers, CRS Sudan country program MEAL Unit,East Darfur Head of Office, operations staff andCRS Regional Technical Advisors
• External: Relevant government departments as relevant, partner MEAL staff