Latest Jobs at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Ref Code: FIR25919
Location: Yola
Band: 7
Department: Programs/Water for Agriculture
Reports To: Senior Agronomist

Job Summary / Background

• The Financial Inclusion Officer (FIO) will support the delivery of USAID-funded Water for Agriculture project by promoting financial inclusivity and expanding the reach of financial services.
• At the community level, FIO will work with groups of herders and farmers to increase awareness and demand for competitive credit; to establish community-level savings and lending schemes; and, to support entrepreneurs and producers to access financing from micro-finance institutions (MFIs).
• At the institutional level, FIO will work with MFIs to develop and market culturally appropriate and affordable financial products and services to smallholder farmers, MSMEs and other agricultural / livestock value chain actors. Key performance indicators (KPI) of this position will include the number of famers / herders’ groups that establish and sustain ‘Savings and Internal Lending’ (SILC) groups; proportion of targeted communities and populations that report increased access to affordable financing; and, an increase in the reach and utilization of financial services.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and implement models to increase access to financial services for the targeted communities. The models must be culturally sensitive, client-responsive, tailored to the Northeast Nigeria context, and evidence-based.
• Support the Senior Agronomist to create, identify and support viable economic opportunities along agricultural and livestock value chains by linking them to financing sources.
• Carry out new / collate existing assessments to consolidate and map financial services and products in target communities; and create information products to increase farmers and herders’ knowledge on how to access these services and products.
• Support farmers and herders’ groups to self-organize into SILC groups and support such groups to obtain government registration and embark on savings and lending activities using CRS-established methodologies.
• Support water assets management committees to create savings and lending schemes that will group their income.
• Provide targeted technical, financial and management trainings using CRS’ SMART skills curriculum to farmers and herders’ groups and WASHCOMs.
• Working closely with SEARCH, build the capacity conflict management capacity of SILC groups.
• Manage the SILC activities of the project with a focus on mentoring and coaching of partner staff. Ensure that all activities related to SILC in the project are implemented according to CRS standards and protocols.
• Create and facilitate linkage meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and community partners to increase knowledge on financial services.
• Build and support relevant governments’ Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to create a conducive and enabling environment for financial services and to enforce responsible management of communities’ savings.
• Identifying and integrate best practice and trends including use of ICT4D within the project.
• Lead CRS Nigeria’s development of a financial inclusion strategy and scaling of competitive financial services to the rural poor.
• Work closely with the MEAL team to monitor, evaluate and document results and outcomes emanating from improved access to financial services and products.

Background, Experience & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Micro-finance, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration or other relevant fields.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in provision of financial services particularly to rural unbaked populations.
• Experience working with agricultural and livestock value chains.
• Demonstrated ability to influence private sector actors to generate financial products for the poor and rural communities.
• A deep understanding of the impact and influence of culture, religion and other socio-economic factors in acceptance and uptake of financial services and products.
• An active pro-poor approach to provision of financial services.
• At least 3 years’ experience on similar donor-funded programs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; knowledge of Hausa will be an added advantage.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.
• Travel Required 60% to field locations in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa

Equal Employer Opportunity:

• “CRS is an equal –opportunity employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, religion and we are committed to gender sensitive programming and management’. etc.
• Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply”

Safeguarding

• 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.

Statement of Commitment to Protection:

• ‘’CRS’ recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation’’

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 the position being applied for and the Job Ref Code as the subject of the application (e.g. Financial Inclusion Officer, FIR25919) to: vacancies.ne.nigeria@crs.org

Click here to Download Application Form (Docx.)

Click Here for more Information (Docx.)

Note

• “CRS is an equal –opportunity employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, religion and we are committed to gender sensitive programming and management’. etc.
• Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply”

go to method of application »

Job Ref Code: SCT25919
Location: Yola, Adamawa
Band: 4
Department: Programs
Reports To: Social Cohesion Officer - Program Manager STaR

Context
CRS’ Nigeria office is implementing a 2-year, Germany government project entitled, “Stabilization and Reconciliation in the Lake Chad Region (STaR)” in the North East of Nigeria. Through programming in agriculture & livelihoods, social cohesion, community infrastructure and local governance, the project is intended to contribute to the stabilization and reconciliation in the most affected regions of the Lake Chad Basin namely Borno and Adamawa in Nigeria, Diffa in Niger and, the Lake Region in Chad.

Job Summary

• The Social Cohesion Assistant (SCA) will support the Social Cohesion Officer in the implementation of the STaR project activities which include peace building, conflict mitigation and re-integration activities.
• S/he will also support strengthening community traditional systems, increase social cohesion and inclusion in communities.
• This position will work across all sectors and coordinate closely with other CRS colleagues to ensure that CRS activities abide by ‘Do No Harm’ principles; that CRS contributes to the repair of the social fabric; and, that CRS programming protects the rights of the most vulnerable groups.
• This position requires close interaction with community members and local governance structures.

Qualifications and Skills
Education and Experience:

• Critical: Outgoing personality with local language skills and advanced level of intra and inter-personal communication.
• Critical: Advanced security awareness and experience in similar environment.
• Essential: Bachelor's degree in Political Sciences, Administration or relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Essential: Minimum 2 years of experience in management of governance projects in developing countries. Experience in Nigeria and particularly the North East will be a bonus.
• Essential: Demonstrated experience in designing governance trainings and establishing governance structures at both the community and government levels.
• Essential: Strong team player with the ability to take initiative and work well independently.
• Essential: Excellent verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills in English, Hausa and Arabic.
• Added advantage: Proven experience in working closely with government MDAs in Nigeria. Thorough understanding of the Nigerian Government structure at the National, State and LGA levels.
• Added advantage: Ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
• Added advantage: Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Personal Skills:

• Ability to work to meet deadlines in multiple tasking environments
• Excellent organization, planning and analytical skills; detail oriented
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated strength in relationship management

Interested and qualified candidates should download the "CRS Application Form" below, fill and send with a detailed Resume as one document in PDF to: vacancies.ne.nigeria@crs.org indicating position being applied for and the Job Ref Code as the subject of the application e.g. Procurement Assistant, PAY180219).

Click here to download Application Form - (Dropbox Doc.)

Click Here for Job Details (Dropbox Doc.)

Additional Information
Equal Employer Opportunity:

• “CRS is an equal –opportunity employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, religion and we are committed to gender sensitive programming and management’. etc.
• Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply”

Safeguarding:

• 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.

Statement of Commitment to Protection:

• ‘’CRS’ recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation’’