Project Officer - Project Officer Community & Government Liaison at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary:

• As a member of the THRIVE project team, the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) 2 will serve as the focal point for stakeholder engagement and entry in the Jere target communities.
• You will support THRIVE project teams to establish and maintain relationships with ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs) and report on all project activities in support of Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable through the THRIVE program activities.
• 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:

• Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned stakeholder level engagements in the Jere communities as outlined in the THRIVE detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Assist THRIVE partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences related to stakeholder engagement.
• Work in coordination with the CLO 1 tasked with engagement activities for THRIVE at the community level in Jere. Engage with stakeholders at Maiduguri municipality and Borno State levels to provide briefing and updates and secure necessary support for THRIVE implementation. Ensure that essential feedback regarding the THRIVE program from LGA and state level stakeholders is shared effectively and regularly with THRIVE senior management. Work jointly with CLO1 to create and sustain a consistent and unified CRS approach to stakeholder engagement, stakeholder feedback and reporting for THRIVE at the community, city and state levels.
• As required by the supervisor, support CLO1 in the mobilization, formation, and capacity development of the THRIVE area-based committees. Support in the development of a capacity development plan for area-based committee members to strengthen their participation in planning, organizing, overseeing, and monitoring and providing feedback to strengthen implementation of THRIVE sector activities.
• Support CLO1 in the organization, conduct and follow up of scheduled meetings for THRIVE sector teams with all the Jere program’s area-based committees.
• Coordinate communication and facilitate information sharing among the CRS THRIVE project team, consortium partners, and project beneficiaries at the community level in the seven communities of Jere to assist local partners in strengthening the community interest, involvement, and support networks.
• Liaise with municipality and state level stakeholders in Maiduguri to create understanding and mobilize support for the overall implementation of THRIVE project activities.
• Support the CRS and consortium partner field teams working in Jere for THRIVE to identify entry points with LGA and state level stakeholders. Identify potential issues and areas of concerns amongst stakeholders related to program activities and advise THRIVE senior management on appropriate communication and mitigation strategies consistent with CRS and donor policies and mandates.
• Build capacity among CRS and consortium partner staff in community engagement and effective communication techniques for trust and relationship building.
• In coordination with the project team and CLO 1 support the delivery of capacity building events for community representatives.
• In coordination with CLO1, monitor, and report on activities of volunteers and non-staff agents, including community mobilisers, enumerators, and SILC field agents.
• Compile data provided at the community level as per project requirements and contribute to the preparation of reports.
• Develop and maintain a stakeholder directory for LGA and Borno state stakeholders for THRIVE, including but to key contacts in the state line ministries, traditional leaders and agencies overseeing humanitarian activities in Borno.

Required Languages - English required and proficiency in Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri and/or local languages desirable.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 60% of the time to field locations throughout the work week.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Observation, active listening, and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members.
• General knowledge of local and state government practices.
• Well-developed knowledge of local community cultures, leaders, customs and practices through prior involvement in the community. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none)

 Key Working Relationships:

Internal: THRIVE Program Managers, Project teams, MEAL staff, Operations staff.

External: Consortium partner staff working in Jere, municipality and state level government stakeholders, traditional leaders at city and state level.  

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications

• Secondary School diploma required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum three to five years relevant field experience working in project support and community engagement. Experience required working with international NGOs in the area of emergency response. Familiarity of e-voucher assistance, Nutrition, Shelter, and WASH programming desirable.
• Demonstrated high level interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to organize and prioritize a variety of initiatives.

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