About CRS: “Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partner’s people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.”
In Ethiopia, CRS has a long and rich history of providing emergency relief and development assistance to the people of Ethiopia since 1958. At present, CRS/Ethiopia implements multiple projects through different partner organizations. CRS/Ethiopia has a highly diverse portfolio currently focusing on community-based food and livelihood security through activities in agriculture, health, peacebuilding, WASH, emergency relief, and savings and lending. CRS is active in nearly all regions of Ethiopia: Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR), Somali, Benishangul Gumuz, Afar, and Dire Dawa Regions.
CRS strictly adheres to its Policy on Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults among its staff, consultants, volunteers, and affiliates. CRS is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer: women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
As part of CRS family, you will join the more than 5000 strong and vibrant individuals working globally to accomplish the mission of CRS. CRS/Ethiopia invites you, the qualified candidate, to apply for the following position;
Position Title 1: Senior Officer, Partnership and Capacity Strengthening (PCS)
Department: Programs
Duty Station: Addis Ababa
Required no: 1
Employment type: Full time position
Reports To: Head of Programs
1. Purpose of the Position:
The Senior Officer, Partnership and Capacity Strengthening (PCS) serves as the lead person for all programmatic and Management Quality aspects of partnership and capacity strengthening activities in the CP. The Senior Officer, PCS designs, implements, and evaluates capacity strengthening initiatives that build the programmatic and Operational/Management Quality effectiveness of CRS and partners. She/he is responsible to implement CRS’s Partnership Principles to respond to the needs of local partners by making use of CRS resources, staff, and management tools to strengthen partner organizations and improve relations between CRS and its local partners;
2. Key /Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
The specific duties and responsibilities of senior officer, PCS include but are not limited to the following:
2.1 Partners Relationship and Communication
Assist the PM, PCS to serve as primary liaison between CRS and its local partners, and is responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships;
Assist the PM, PCS to identify potential new partners using CRS tools, including partner mappings and assessments;
Work to ensure the understanding and application of CRS' Partnership Principles, and is a resource person for CRS and partner staff engaged in joint programs and/or other partnership activities, with the primary purpose of ensuring that partnerships are effective and mutually beneficial;
Work to ensure the application of specific methodologies, including partnership reflections and scorecards, designed to ensure the appropriateness and quality of the partnership strategy;
Identify concerns of significance related to partnerships and/or partner implemented projects, and work to address them, ensuring they are brought to attention of PM, PCS and CP D/HOP);
Build and/or maintain strong and effective relationships between CRS and partners, through the committed application of partnership principles and other relevant methods;
Represent CRS in partnership related meetings;
2.2 Partners Capacity Strengthening
Work with the PM, PCS and other key staff to Conduct partners’ assessments, their needs and their requests for support and develop a strategy for capacity strengthening and leadership development for partners;
Work with the PM, PCS and other key staff to ensuring partnership and capacity strengthening tools, including the memorandum of understanding, partnership reflections, partnership scorecard, etc. are developed and applied appropriately in accordance with CRS standards and best practice;
Work with partners to apply relevant tools (Holistic Organizational Capacity Assessment Implement -- HOCAI, Sub Recipient Financial Management Policy -- SRFMP, etc.), to help identify capacity and institution strengthening needs, develop corresponding strategies, and monitor implementation;
Work with staff of relevant program, finance and operations sectors, to develop/ adapt and provide training, tools, etc. for targeted CRS and partner staff;
Develop/adapt, provide and/or oversee technical assistance activities with partners, including accompaniment and mentoring;
Participate in field activities such as program/project designing, implementation and evaluations to ensure quality service delivery to the beneficiaries;
2.3 Partners Programing and Management Quality Support
Advise on projects or project components that are focused on capacity strengthening at all stages of project cycle, including design and development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL), budget tracking, reporting, etc.
Provide support/guidance on project agreement processes, financial and program management;
Liaison with PM and support partners for timely budget forecasting, disbarment request, liquidation.
Support the implementation of the Sub-Recipient Financial Management Policy (SRFMP) and develop/adapt corresponding support tools;
Advise program, finance and other operations staff on assisting partners to be in compliance with donor regulations, reporting requirements, etc., and provide related guidance and training;
Support monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) activities and processes for partners using CRS' standard tools, including training partners on MEAL standards and practices;
Ensure partners capacity building consideration during project design and budget preparation;
Ensure partner agreements are properly filled, shared/communicated and documented;
3. Minimum Qualifications Requirements:
3.1 Education
Master's degree or First degree in development, project management, business, organizational development, non-formal education, psychology or public administration;
3.2 Competencies, Abilities and Skills
Minimum of three years of experience in project management, within international organizations or the private sector, including: management of human resources, project activities and/or budgets;
Minimum of two years of experience with partnership activities and institutional strengthening, preferably with a religious partner;
Experience with capacity building, including training and mentoring as well as developing training materials;
Excellent interpersonal, communication, representation and networking skills;
Strong understanding of the Catholic Church and its internal structures and proven understanding of managing partners;
Demonstrated experience working successfully in cross-disciplinary teams and facilitating team efforts in the workplace, as well as working independently;
Possess excellent oral and written communication skills in English and local language;
Experience and proven ability in developing various training plans and excellent facilitation and presentation skills;
Effective problem-solving skills, proactive and comfortable working with a team;
Self-motivated and able to complete work in timely manner and to work with minimal supervision.
Ability to work independently, good judgment of skills and commitment to CRS’ mission
Strong commitment to stewardship of resources and accountability to the agency, donors and stakeholders
Agency-Wide Competencies (for all CRS staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
Serves with Integrity
Models Stewardship
Cultivates Constructive Relationships
Promotes Learning