Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Latest Jobs in Nigeria

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs. Therefore, strengthening the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to our approach in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established its presence in Nigeria in 2000 and currently focuses on agriculture, health and emergency programming.

We are recruiting to fill the position of: 

Job Title: Technical Advisor, Gender and Child Protection (SMILE)

Location: Abuja
Department: Programming
Reports To: Technical Director, Smile 
Band: E1

Project Background
CRS Nigeria leads the USAID-supported SMILE (Sustainable Mechanisms for Improving Livelihoods and Household Empowerment) consortium consisting of ActionAid Nigeria and Westat designed to scale-up care and support services for orphans and vulnerable children in FCT, Benue, Kogi, Edo, and Nasarawa by strengthening the capacity of government, civil society organizations (CSOs) and communities. SMILE seeks to improve the wellbeing of 600,000 OVC and 150,000 caregivers and will be implemented through an umbrella grants mechanism (UGM) whereby CSOs receive sub-grants to support capacity strengthening and program implementation at the community level. The project will also strengthen the Nigerian Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) response by strengthening the organizational systems and technical capacity of the five SMWASDs and targeted Local Government Areas (LGA).

The purpose of this position is to support the development, implementation and integration of gender-sensitive interventions and child protection approaches into the SMILE project through the provision of technical guidance to SMILE partner CSOs, community child protection committees and community volunteers. Under the direction of the Technical Director, SMILE, s/he will collaborate closely with the SMILE team to roll out and implement an integrated and holistic community based response to child protection issues and gender-based barriers to accessing services including HIV prevention, care and support, economic empowerment, education and food security. 

General function

• The Technical Advisor, Gender and Child Protection (SMILE) will be responsible for working closely with the SMILE technical team to achieve the strategic objectives of the program – focusing primarily on integrating gender-sensitive interventions and child protection strategies across the SMILE thematic areas including nutrition, HIV, household economic strengthening and food security.
• S/he will adhere to high standards of programmatic and management quality to support community stakeholders’ capacity and performance in provide access to full range of SMILE services for beneficiaries.
• S/he will provide technical guidance in terms of child protection and gender, drawing on national and global best practices, ensuring CSOs embrace quality gender-sensitive and child-sensitive approaches.

Specific Responsibilities
Technical:

• Develop technical strategies and lead the implementation of SMILE gender integration and child protection activities
• Direct CSOs towards overall technical quality – including adherence to technical standards, best practices and donor guidelines for all gender integration and child protection activities
• Lead the development of training modules and tools, and conduct relevant trainings and workshops for SMILE and CSO staff in line with identified capacity strengthening needs.
• Keep abreast of research and trends in gender integration and child protection approaches
• Build capacity of CSOs in the strengthening of referral pathways and support services for victims of gender-based violence and child abuse or exploitation.
• Support CSOs to implement individual and community-level gender-sensitive activities addressing gender norms that propagate gender-based violence, as well as serve as barriers to accessing HIV services
• Work closely with states and Child Protection Networks on child protection activities including the Violence Against Children, the domestication of Child Rights laws and the establishment/reactivation of child-friendly judiciary systems
• Support CSO participation in state-level Child Protection activities
• Support the review of existing Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Parenting Skills resources to ensure they address gender and child protection, with particular focus on adolescent girls programming
• Analyze the social, economic, cultural, political contexts and impact of emerging issues and social policies on the protection and wellbeing of children and propose appropriate responses
• Contribute to efforts towards ensuring that project gender and child protection activities and approaches used by CSOs are in line with relevant government policies; contribute to the review and development of new policies, as appropriate.
• Prepare technical briefs and presentations on gender and child protection to communicate program results and influencing key stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for learning, formative research, special studies and operational research on gender and child protection and work with M&E team, SMILE technical team, CRS Nigeria MEAL team and external support (if needed) to conduct research.
• Contribute to the documentation and dissemination of project efforts, achievements, lessons learned and innovations within SMILE and to the larger Nigerian and global technical community, as appropriate.
• Encourage key stakeholder reflection on key project gender and child protection issues/priorities, assumptions and themes to identify and address gaps in learning/service delivery or uptake

Supervision and Mentoring:

• Facilitate incorporation of gender and child protection activities into CSO work plans
• Facilitate capacity development for partner CSOs, community volunteers, child protection committees and other key stakeholders on gender integration and child protection
• Provide regular supportive supervision to CSO staff to ensure achievement of expected results
• Support CSOs and related GON entities to use quality improvement science and methodology to enhance the quality of SMILE gender integration and child protection interventions
• Support CSO staff professional development, including identifying capacity building needs for CSO staff, providing mentoring and training and linking staff to appropriate external opportunities to in line with project needs.
• Facilitate the use of monitoring data during quarterly participatory reflection events and other fora with partners and other stakeholders to inform project decisions.
• Facilitate the use of evaluation and review results with partners and other stakeholders to inform decision-making, identify lessons learned and best practices.
• Work with M&E to track gender and child protection performance indicators
• Monitor and evaluate program performance on gender-related goals and objectives and contribute content for internal and external reporting.

Representation:

• Represent the SMILE consortium in external technical meetings, conferences and workshops related to gender and child protection
• Liaise and collaborate with implementing partners and government agencies including National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the Federal/State Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Development Partners Gender Group, the PEPFAR Nigeria Gender TWG, UNICEF, the Violence against Children TWG, the Child Protection Systems Strengthening Learning Group, other learning institutions and civil society actors to promote synergy and exchange information relating to gender integration and child protection
• Participate in CRS agency-wide gender and child protection activities

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Chief of Party; Technical Director; Program Director; Organizational Development Director, M&E Director; Senior Program Managers.External: SMILE Consortium team members; SMILE CSO partners; National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the Federal/State Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Development Partners Gender Group, the PEPFAR Nigeria Gender TWG, UNICEF, the Violence against Children TWG, the Child Protection Systems Strengthening Learning Group, other implementing partners and other stakeholders.

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.
• Serves With Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Travel:

• Travel up to 40% of the time.

Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Law, Development Studies, Gender Studies, Sociology, Anthropology or related discipline with 3-5 years working experience in gender integration and child protection
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Law, Development Studies, Gender Studies, Sociology, Anthropology or related discipline with 5-7 years working experience in gender integration and child protection
• Demonstrable expertise in gender integration and child protection in donor (PEPFAR, USAID, CDC, CIDA, DFID) funded projects
• Familiarity with PEPFAR gender strategies and reporting requirements
• Experience in the development of national and/or state policy documents on gender and child protection
• Ability to work effectively with government and civil society partners and communities as well as transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through workshops, training and meetings using participatory methods and adult learning principles.
• Good understanding of principles and practices of gender integration and child protection integration
• Familiarity with OVC programming and principles.
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills required.
• Excellent analytic, organizational and computer skills; skilled in MS Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Job Title: Accountability Manager

Location: Abuja
Department: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL)

Job Summary

• CRS Nigeria is committed to integrating accountability mechanisms to communities throughout its programming portfolio and; as such, seeks an Accountability Manager to help implement the newly developed Accountability Framework and other related priorities.
• The Accountability Manager will ensure that practical and effective mechanisms for accountability to beneficiaries and communities are integrated at the CP level and into programs through capacity building support and implementation.  The role will also prioritize the deployment and use of a new accountability software system for the CP and across projects.

Supervisory:

• No direct supervision
• The position will require a significant amount of coordination across CP projects.

Technical Assistance & Program Guidance:

• Provide technical assistance to ensure that accountability is integrated throughout the project cycle (design, implementation, and M&E) across CP programming.
• Be a champion and resource person for the accountability policies and procedures in the agency’s newly developed MEAL policies and procedures.
• Provide training and guidance for project staff on relevant accountability issues.
• Share resources and information with staff on accountability.
• Build capacity of staff to mainstream and develop accountability practices and mechanisms into programming, applying principles as outlined by Sphere, agency MEAL polices and other key guidelines.
• Lead the roll-out and testing of the accountability/feedback tracking software.
• Lead the training of CP and partner staff on use of the accountability/feedback software.
• Lead and support the development of communication materials for beneficiaries on CP and project feedback mechanisms.
• Integrate principles of protection and fraud reporting into project and CP feedback mechanisms.
• In conjunction with project teams, develop a process to solicit feedback from key project stakeholders.

Accountability to Communities and Beneficiaries:

• Be the primary point-person for the CP hotline.
• Develop standard talking point processes to manage various feedback scenarios (ie: if an individual would like to remain anonymous, etc.).
• Support project staff to:
• Assess how beneficiaries and communities would like to receive information about CRS and its projects, and ensure that the required information is regularly shared.
• Consult with beneficiaries and communities on project feedback mechanisms that are appropriate, effective, accessible and safe.
• Ensure that beneficiaries and communities participate in a meaningful way at every stage of the program cycle, from design to M&E.
• Monitor the effectiveness and relevance of the accountability mechanisms and practices put in place.
• Support partner organizations in setting up accountability mechanisms (as applicable).
• Support the sub-offices in managing and receiving feedback via the identified CP mechanism.
• Support the set-up of feedback hotlines and helpdesks, and provide training and monitoring to relevant staff on receiving and handling feedback and complaints.
• Ensure that feedback is routinely recorded, reviewed and acted upon in line with feedback mechanisms guidelines.
• Compile weekly and monthly feedback reports for CP MT and ensure all complaints and major issues are followed up and addressed in a timely manner.
• Generate timely reports on work planned and completed.
• Ensure that feedback is integrated into regular program planning, implementation, M&E and reporting.

Minimum Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Community Development, or other relevant subject area.

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience working with NGOs or government agencies in planning and implementation of accountability programming in emergency response, disaster risk reduction, or development programs.
• Experience in participatory rural development, and in developing community accountability in projects and programs.
• Experience working with communities and CSOs at the grass roots level.
• Training experience required.

Knowledge:

• Knowledgeable in participatory and rural development processes.
• Acceptance of cultural differences in a continuously changing environment.
• Knowledge of principles and best practice in protection mainstreaming and community accountability in development and emergency work, including HAP standard and Sphere.
• Strong understanding of referral processing (to be used to strengthen staff awareness and understanding on agency policies of protection and fraud).
• Good understanding of project planning, reporting, M&E and participatory approaches.
• Excellent understanding of local NGOs and government system, with knowledge and appreciation of the vision and mission of CRS.

Skills:

• Strong skills in mentoring and coaching peers.
• Proven organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong verbal and written English skills.
• Proficiency in multiple Nigerian languages and dialects a plus to be able to engage with stakeholders across CRS Nigeria’s geographically expansive programming areas.
• Very good listening and facilitation skills – capable of facilitating group discussions with program participants, communities, local officials, partners and all levels of staff.
• Ability to appropriately manage sensitive situations and information.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and influencing skills.
• Calm demeanor to be able to solicit and receive varying types of feedback from stakeholders.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office suite of programs.
• Must be able to respect the privacy, sensitivity and confidentiality of the type of information individual may come across in this role.

Abilities:

• Can work independently and proactively to identify issues, involve appropriate stakeholders, and facilitate and implement solutions.
• Ease of use learning, exploring and training colleagues on new software systems.
• Quickly receive and process information to assess a rapidly evolving situation and ability to make timely decisions
• Ability to make timely decisions consistent with the values of the organization and the established delivery plan.
• Strong communication capability to build good inter-personal relationship with staff, partners and other key stakeholders.
• Ability to mobilize people – to develop and maintain relationships with staff and communities to ensure their participation in CRS programs.
• Non-discriminatory and readiness to involve beneficiaries and communities from diverse backgrounds, particularly the most marginalized groups, acting in a respectful and culturally sensitive manner.
• Can work in sensitive and high security environments.
• Willing to travel extensively to different locations; even on short notice

Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
Agency-Wide Competencies: 
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

MEAL Competencies:

• Accountability: Improving our accountability to a range of stakeholders through increased participation, transparent communication, responsive feedback mechanisms, and adherence to internal quality standards and requirements.
• Learning: Promoting excellent knowledge management and collaborative learning processes at the project, program and institutional levels, generating robust evidence for project and programmatic learning that leads to action, decision-making and influence.

Working Relationships:

• External: NGO and CSO partners, Government partners, Technical partners, beneficiaries, and community members.
• Internal: MEAL Coordinator, Deputy Country Representative for Programs, Human Resources Manager, Head of Operations, Program Managers, MEAL Officers.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should download the Application Form below and send with a detailed 3 page Resume in a single file document to:NG_HR@global.crs.org

Click here to download the Application Form

Note: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. CRS is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates meeting position requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.


Deadline: 5PM 1st March, 2016.