Project Officer – Financial Inclusion (Marsabit)

Marsabit, Marsabit, Kenya (On-site) Be the First to Apply

Job Description

Reports To: Household Economic Strengthening Manager

Contract Period: 3 Years

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Catholic 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. 

CRS is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity, race or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners, including the Government to implement its programs.

CRS opened operations in Kenya in 1965. For over 50 years, we have worked throughout the country to implement programs in agriculture, livelihoods, health and nutrition, water, sanitation, emergency relief and peace building. We have built deep relationships with the Government of Kenya and the Catholic Church

Background:

CRS, representing a consortium of international non-governmental organizations, local implementing partners and research institutions is leading the USAID Nawiri Program, a USAID Office of Bureau of Humanitarian (BHA) funded Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) in Kenya. The overarching goal of this multi-sectoral activity is to sustainably reduce persistent levels of acute malnutrition in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), focusing on Isiolo and Marsabit counties. 

Job Summary: 

The Project Officer – Financial Inclusion will be responsible for day-to-day planning, implementation, efficient and effective roll-out, including integration within the graduation approach, and reporting of CRS Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) component in Marsabit County. S/he will serve as the Master Trainer for SILC and the Private Service Provider (PSP) approach, assuring that Local Implementing partners (LIP) staff have the knowledge and skills to successfully deliver at scale. S/he will provide ongoing technical support to field and LIP staff to assure that PSPs are adequately supervised and supported to integrate SILC components within the graduation approach and to reach sustainability targets. S/he will also work with the livelihoods team to link SILC groups with financial education (FE), marketing training, private sector financing, entrepreneurship, and franchising opportunities.

Specific Responsibilities: 

Provide technical oversight, organize, and lead the implementation of financial inclusion related 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.  Guide and support partners in their efforts to collect and analyse data monthly. Analyze MIS data and translate it into programmatic recommendations. 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. Working in collaboration with livelihood specialist, link SILC groups with appropriate financial education (FE), marketing training, private sector financing, entrepreneurship, and franchising opportunities. Working in collaboration with staff implementing the graduation approach and nutrition, ensure integration of SILC to deliver both economic empowerment training and nutritional training. Assess the capacity and training needs of CRS and partner staff on financial inclusion. Support and design training modules and implementation models for CRS staff, LIP staff, supervisors and field agents and build local capacity networks to deliver high quality trainings and technical assistance. Design and deliver training interventions (trainer-of trainers, face-to-face learning, on-line learning, mentoring, and coaching) for project and partner staff. 

Personal Skills 

Strong relationship management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship. Excellent negotiation skills. Strong communications and presentation skills. Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented. Capable of working in a dynamic, results oriented environment; ability to multi-task across various work streams/priorities. Team player with a positive attitude who can work independently while also being highly collaborative and open. Capable of building relationships and influencing the opinions of others. Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity and inclusion including gender equality.

Required/Desired Foreign Language:  English and Swahili

Travel Required  50% of the time within sub counties in Marsabit.

Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory: None

Internal:  Nawiri Chief of Party, DCOP Programming, Nawiri Program team, all Country Program staff, Regional and Headquarters technical staff

External:  Localimplementing partners, government departments at different levels

Qualifications

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Economics social sciences, development, or related field. Master’s degree in similar fields a plus At least 4 years’ work experience in international development working with community savings groups.  Practical experience in curriculum design and training of adults, certified master trainer experience preferred. Prior experience using the community-led savings group MIS (Excel-based or online database) Experience with financial product development and/or mobile money products desired Demonstrated ability to work successfully in diverse geographic and cultural settings. Understanding and appreciation of CRS' commitment to work with and build partner capacity.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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. 

Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions. Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest. Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions. Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams. Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation. Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance. Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Leadership and Management Competencies

Communicates strategically under pressure. Manages stress and complexity. Actively promotes safety and security. Manages and implements high-quality program activities.

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 and persons with disabilities 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/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

About Us

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.

About the Team

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Info

Job Identification3000895 Job CategoryProgram Management Posting Date09/07/2023, 09:20 AM Apply Before09/22/2023, 04:59 PM Degree LevelBachelor's Degree Job ScheduleFull time Job ShiftDay Locations NAWIRI Project Field Office Location, MARSABIT, MARSABIT, KE (On-site)

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