Senior Project Officer – ECD Advocacy

Reports To: Program Manager-ECD

Length of Contract: 3 Years

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 lead for the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation ECD Advocacy Project, the role holder will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to implementing partner’s staff, advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work servin g the poor and vulnerable. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of National ECD advocacy strategy in collaboration with other ECD actors
• Conduct sessions/trainings for Interfaith Leaders and other interfaith structures to inform understanding and influence on Early Childhood Development.
• Identify and participate in networks with relevant stakeholders and partners to build strategic relationships on key policy issues and advocacy opportunities including influencing existing National ECD Framework.
• Develop and continually update ECD advocacy briefs to provide updates to stakeholders on relevant activities and accomplishments.
• Represent CRS in relevant governance, planning and lobby meetings at County and National levels.
• 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.
• 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.
• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all local project stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact.
• 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. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partner.
• Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to the partner(s).
• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices
• Participate in business development initiatives to grow the ECD portfolio.

Required Languages – Excellent spoken and written English

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

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
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity and inclusion including gender equality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Staff supervision experience a plus.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Supervisory Responsibilities None

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Program Manager-ECD, STA-Health, Deputy Head of Programming, Head of Programming

External: ED-IRCK, Head of Division of Neonatal and Child Health, Directorate of ECDE, ED-ECDNeK

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in in Early Childhood Development, Education, Social Work, Health or related field.
• Strong policy, advocacy and research skills and ability to negotiate and network with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Experience of developing advocacy strategies, knowledge and understanding of a range of advocacy techniques

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

DISCLAIMER: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

What we offer:

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***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.

CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.

CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities.

CRS’ emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a baby room at the office, and flexible working hours where possible. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

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/professio nal references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

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 partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.