Market Officer at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Reference Code: MONE3920
Location: Yobe, Damaturu
Department: North East Emergency Program
Position Band: 6
Reports To: FFP/EFSP Program Manager I

Project Background

• NE Nigeria has been severely affected by insurgency led by armed opposition groups (AOGs) since 2009 and has NE Nigeria has been severely affected by insurgency led by armed opposition groups (AOGs) since 2009 and has been declared to be in a “state of emergency” since 2013. As clashes between Nigerian security forces and AOGs persist into its tenth year, over 2 million individuals remain displaced across the six Northeastern states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe. Pockets of relative stability have encouraged some households (HHs) to return to their places of origin, yet they remain vulnerable and precariously sensitive to the changing contexts. Additionally, the prolonged conflict has eroded economic and livelihood opportunities of vulnerable HHs who struggle with limited incomes and purchasing power.
• Since 2016, CRS Nigeria has responded to critical WASH, shelter, food security and nutrition needs in both Yobe and Borno States, including through four phases of the USAID office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP) funded Emergency Food Assistance for Conflict Affected HHs (FFP/EFSP) project. During an anticipated 12-month fifth phase of the project,,CRS will scale-up lifesaving support to a total of 15,900 HHs, or 95,400 individuals. CRS’ goal is to improve food security for vulnerable HHs in conflict-affected areas through e-vouchers for food.
• CRS is looking for a strong candidate to work as a Market Officer (MO) on the project team. She/he will be based in Damaturu (Yobe State), and will be primarily responsible for activities conducted in Kaga Local Government Area (LGA), barring significant changes in security dynamics.

Job Summary

• As a member of the FFP/EFSP project team, under the leadership of the FFP/EFSP Program Manager (PM), the Market Officer (MO) is responsible for leading the execution of daily project activities in her/his geographic location, while maintaining relationships with local partner staff as well as vendors and beneficiaries. Your thorough and service-oriented approach will ensure that the project consistently applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Roles and Key Responsibilities
The MO’s specific responsibilities will include the following:

• Support the coordination and implementation of market team activities in line with CRS Program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices
• In collaboration with Vendor Procurement/Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) officer, support the vendor selection process;
• Act as the focal point for all communication with the market team daily workers;
• Organize documents necessary to make regular vendor payments;
• Plan market team daily workers’ activities/schedule;
• Hold daily debrief with the market team daily workers;
• Ensure that market team daily workers file is complete and includes;

Provide support to project vendors and key market stakeholders:

• Ensure shop signs are displayed in front of each participant shop;
• Coordinate all vendor support and communication;
• Organize weekly meetings with market leaders;
• Organize meetings with project vendors as needed;
• Ensure that all vendor documentation is complete;
• Carry out regular vendor spot checks;
• In collaboration with the FFP/EFSP PM, collect and organize project vendor payments;
• In collaboration with the MEAL Officer, carry out vendor training;
• Compile a document with information on market structure and key stakeholders’ information;

Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified in project’s market activities to PM/EC in a timely manner to inform adjustments to plans, implementation schedules, and market strategies:

• Provide information to the MEAL Officer on troubleshooting needs;
• Provide feedback to the FFP/EFSP PM on program activities;
• Contribute to elaboration and revision of SOPs for payment of project vendors;
• In partnership with the MEAL officer reviews vendor transactions;
• Document good practices stemming from project implementation linked to market teams activities;

Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and assisting partners to prepare reports per established reporting schedule:

• Assist the local partner to prepare its progress reports to be submitted to CRS;
• Collect information on staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and monitor capacity building and technical support activities to ensure effective impact;

Complete project documentation for assigned activities:

• Report on project activities;
• Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices;
• In collaboration with MEAL staff;
• Collect human interest stories with photos on project beneficiaries, including vendors;

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Social Sciences, Community Development, Geography, or an equivalent degree in another relevant field;
• At least 3 years’ experience in project implementation, preferably with an international humanitarian NGO;
• Demonstrated experience in data collection with ICT4D systems;
• Proven experience in group discussions and other participatory methods;
• Demonstrated commitment to gender responsive programming;
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint);

Required Languages:

• Strong English, Ability to speak local languages - Kanuri and Hausa - is a strong preference

Travel:

• Must be willing and able to travel about 60% of the time.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities;
• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment;
• Team-oriented;
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members;
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to organize and prioritize a variety of initiatives;

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with partner organizations;
• Staff supervision experience;

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

Interested and qualified candidates should download the "CRS Application Form" using the link below, fill and send with a detailed Resume as one document (in a PDF Format) indicating "Position" being applied for and the "Job Ref Code" as the subject of the application to: vacancies.ne.nigeria@crs.org

Click here to Download Application Form (Drop-box)

Click Here for Job Details (PDF)