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 are accomplished through programs  of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Background  

CRS Sierra Leone is implementing the fifth phase of the McGovern-Dole (MGD) “Lan for u future” project  funded by the United State Department of agriculture (USDA).

In September 2022, the ‘Lan for u future’ project was approved for four years, with a coverage of 5 chiefdoms  (Kamukeh, Wara Wara Bafodia, Diang, Kalian, Nieni) of Koinadugu district and 10 chiefdoms (Dembelia Sinkunia, Kebelia, Sulima, Wollay Barawa, Morifindugu, Mongo, Nyedu, Neya, Delemandugu, and Kulor  Saradu) of Falaba district, in the north of Sierra Leone;

The program aims to; improve literacy of school age children by building teachers and school administrators’  skills and knowledge, by improving teachers’ attendance and their access to school supplies and improved  literacy instruction materials.

It is also meant to improve students’ attentiveness by increasing access to food and improving nutrition and  health practices to reduce hunger and absences. Improve students’ attendance by providing nutritious meals,  take home rations and presenting parents with economic incentives and address cultural practices that may  be detrimental to school attendance. Increase use of health and dietary practices by increasing students and  communities’ knowledge of health and hygiene practices, by training food preparers on safe food preparation  and storage, by increasing access to clean water and sanitation, by increasing access to deworming  medications, and by increasing access to the requisite food preparation.

The project works with the MBSSE both in Freetown and in Koinadugu and Falaba Districts, Caritas Makeni,  Teach for Sierra Leone (TFSL) and the University of Makeni (UNIMAK)for the training of teachers. Additionally,  the project is working with the Nutrition unit of the District Health Medical Teams (DHMT) and Mother Support  Group with Caritas Makeni as the only subrecipient implementing the health and nutrition activities.

You will manage programming in the Country Program (CP) for Education and Early childhood development  program designing and implementing projects advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the  poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its programming.

Roles and Key Responsibilities: 

• Manage and implement all activities throughout relevant project cycles – project design, start-up,  implementation and close-out – to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. Ensure project  team and partner staff use the appropriate systems and tools.
• Participate in key decision making on program strategy.
• Research standardized literacy testing tools, literacy teaching techniques and supporting materials, and  adapt as needed to context of Burkina Faso
• Encourage innovation/creativity and lead implementation of pilot activities

Ensure visibility around education activities by leading field visits of partners, donors, press outlets to  field sites and overseeing development of one-pagers, brochures, short videos, etc

• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide  coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of  project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Champion learning with project staff and partner teams. Analyze and evaluate project performance  data following MEAL policy. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes  to overcome implementation obstacles.
• Act as a key resource person in project design and proposal development in respective programming  area, gap-filling and taking on growth responsibilities, as needed.
• Coordinate the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs of partner organizations  and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.  • Help identify, assess and strengthen partnerships relevant to food for education, early childhood  and education programing, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and  approaches.
• Maintain strong partnerships with MBSSE, TFSL, Caritas Makeni, Unimak, local authorities, through  regular communication, proactive responses to challenges that arise, and organization of periodic  review/planning workshops
• Coordinate and monitor financial and material resources relevant to project needs. Through planning  and oversight ensure efficient use of project resources
• In collaboration with Grant Manager, prepare partner (TFSL, Unimak) agreements/annual budget,  review financial and progress reports

Basic Qualifications 

• Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations or in the field of Education,  Early child hood development and Food for education program is required. Additional experience  may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing light to  moderately complex projects required, preferably with an international NGO.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Required Languages – English.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 30 %.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment. • Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse  groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

Preferred Qualifications 

• Project management experience in <Education, Early child hood development and Food for  education is highly desirable.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations.
• Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.
• MEAL skills and experience preferred.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web  Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

 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. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and  vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

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 safeguarding-related  topics. 

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. CRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To apply for this position please send up-to-date CV and a supporting letter, copies of relevant  certificates to email,