Senior Project Officer-Malaria Project

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

Job Description

Reports To: Health Sector Lead

Country/Location: Kenya/Turkana 

Length of Contract: 24 months

About Catholic Relief Services:

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 and partners are working together to support the county health team in the introduction of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) Project in Turkana County. The goal of this project is to provide learnings to the National Malaria Control Program to possibly integrate SMC as part of its national strategy. The implementation will be run alongside a rigorous program evaluation design to innovate and test delivery strategies for scale up of seasonal malaria chemoprevention in remote communities experiencing intense, seasonal malaria transmission. CRS is working together with Duke University, Moi University, and the County government of Turkana to achieve the comprehensive control of malaria. CRS will manage the overall project implementation and community intervention activities while Duke University and Moi University will manage the research component.

Job Responsibilities:

The Senior Project Officer (SPO) â Health will support the implementation of SMC activities in Turkana Central Sub-County through the Sub-County Health Team, with an overall responsibility for maintaining high quality programming. The SPO will provide oversight to a team of County, Sub-County, Health facility staff and supervisors based in their respective county of operation and liaise closely with the SMC focal point person in the County Health Team, and if applicable with the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Ministry of Health. This work will also be done in close collaboration with Duke University and Moi University.

The SPO â Health will provide leadership and oversight for SMC implementation activities including ensuring that all activities in the workplan are strictly followed within the specified timeframe, -the budget is adequately managed, and data is collected on a timely basis for reporting. 

Specific Job Responsibilities

Oversee all program implementation activities as per the workplan and budget. Lead and mentor technical staff in the achievement of project objectives.  Support the county health team with the development of an implementation project plan (or SMC implementation guide), developing data collection tools, engaging in microplanning, and developing supervision and reporting tools. Monitor both indicators and overall impact, and work with county health team to adjust activities and targets when indicated.  Serve as primary contact point in the resolution of technical challenges encountered and offer high quality appropriate solutions.  Ensure timely and accurate submission of programmatic & financial reporting and monitor budgets in liaison with the finance team. Maintain up-to-date documentation related to project monitoring and implementation. Ensure grant management compliance with CRS regulations, and timely acquisition of project inputs through close collaboration with the country program procurement staff Provide regular updates to government and non-government coordination bodies as requested and in collaboration with CRSâ head of programs.

Establish and maintain good working relations with County government, Duke University, Moi University and Ministry of Health. 

Represent the project in appropriate technical fora, providing high quality messaging with respect to the aims, approaches, and achievements of the project.  Produce quality technical briefs and best practices on behalf of the project.

Personal 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 Ability to collaborate and contribute to a close knit, supportive team environment, and work with people and organizations of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and cultures. Efficient, high-capacity self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced work environment. Outstanding interpersonal skills. Ability to quickly establish trust and rapport with professional and community stakeholders; comfortable addressing politically sensitive and policy questions with tact and poise. Desired attributes â demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity and inclusion including gender equality.

Travel Required:  Must be willing to travel up to 50% of the time to Turkana and Nairobi counties regions. 

 Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory:  None

Internal:  Head of Programs, Head of Office, Health Sector Lead, Senior project officers for other Projects based in Turkana 

External: CHMTs, SCHMTs and Health Facilities, other health stakeholders and community leaders.

Qualifications

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Bachelorâs degree in public health, Nursing, Clinical medicine or a related field. A relevant masterâs degree would be an added advantage. A minimum of 4 years for Bachelorsâ degree holders or at least 3 years progressive experience for masterâs holders in Malaria management and other health-related projects in Kenya and for an NGO. In-depth understanding of donor expectations for program results, outcomes, impact, and reporting. Experience in participatory action planning and engagement of stakeholders at various levels. Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred. Excellent understanding of GOK structures and systems and demonstrated experience managing relationships with government structures. Experience working with Local Implementing Partners and government key departments. Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

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 â Consistently takes responsibility for oneâs 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 â Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.

⢠Open to Learn â Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

⢠Lead Change â Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.

⢠Develops and Recognizes Others â Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.

⢠Strategic Mindset â Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

MEAL Competencies:

⢠Track project MEAL requirements (CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures (MPP)). 

⢠Work with MEAL staff and partner staff to implement the MPP and donor MEAL requirements applicable to your projects. 

⢠Complete the annual MEAL procedure self-assessment for your project and develop action plan to advance MEAL practice. 

Required/Desired Foreign Language:  Strong technical writing skills in English.

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. CRSâ 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 on the basis of 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.

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. CRSâ 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 Identification3001045 Job CategoryProgram Management Posting Date11/03/2023, 06:45 AM Apply Before11/17/2023, 03:59 PM Degree LevelBachelor's Degree Job ScheduleFull time Job ShiftDay Locations Kenya RAPID Field Office Location , Lodwar town, Turkana, KE (On-site)

Similar Jobs