Project Officer – Adolescent (Ref.2017/059)

Department/Country: Programming/Kenya

Reports To: Adolescent Advisor

Job Location: Kisumu

Position Type: Fixed Term

Grade: 6

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the 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 has worked in Kenya since 1965. Over the years, CRS’ focus shifted from direct relief and food distributions to a comprehensive development program that works with partners and enhances local capacity. CRS Kenya programs now support children affected by HIV, and community-based efforts to increase household incomes, improve family health and sanitation, and enhance agriculture livelihoods.

Background:

CRS is implementing a 5 year orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) program, MWENDO, which seeks to empower local and county-level OVC stakeholders to strengthen the formal and informal HIV and child protection systems and services and the linkages between them, including cross-sectoral service referrals and coordination to ensure quality service delivery for OVC and their Households.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Adolescent Advisor, Project Officer (PO) Adolescent will provide technical leadership and support to Local Implementing partners (LIPs) to holistically implement MWENDO to address adolescents needs. The key role of this position is to strengthen LIPs capability to address issues relating to adolescents with respect to OVC.

The PO - Adolescent will work with LIP staff on technical aspects of program implementation that pertain to adolescents and ensure MWENDO is responsive to the unique needs of this group, with a focus on the program goal of successful OVC graduation / transition into adulthood. S/he will coordinate closely with other MWENDO project Officers/technical team to assure consistent messaging, coordination, and implementation with key stakeholders.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Support the conceptualization, integration and operationalization of specific strategies to address the needs and perspectives of adolescents and youth.


• Strengthen the capacity of LIPs in parenting for adolescents, including those living with HIV, with an emphasis on developing strong communication between caregivers and adolescents.


• Support creation of increased awareness among LIPs about principles of adolescent programming and support them to adapt them to their context.


• Working closely with the Child Protection Project Officers, leverage child protection networks to identify ways to reduce violence against children and HIV risk for adolescents especially girls.


• Work closely with the Household Economic Strengthening Project Officers to identify ways to address structural/household economic issues (e.g., pulling girls out of school) that put adolescents especially girls at risk and support appropriate programmatic response.


• Work closely with the Case Management Officers to support LIPs to identify opportunities for more robust case management and referral networks to address the needs of this population and create stronger linkages with health services.


• Strengthen the capacity of LIPs in delivering life skills for the adolescents.


• Keep abreast emerging research and best practices in adolescent programming and ensure that information is shared in an appropriate manner.


• Help ensure quality, consistency and adherence to standards and best practices for OVC programs through technical oversight, systematic implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of program performance and achievement of results.


• Identify programmatic successes, challenges and lessons learned, and ensure appropriate flow of information across the organization; actively engage in management, dissemination and use of relevant knowledge in the field.


• Represent CRS in meetings at county and cluster levels, working groups, and other events as requested.

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.

• Serves with Integrity

• Models Stewardship

• Cultivates Constructive Relationships

• Promotes Learning

Competencies Relevant for the Specific Position:

These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by the PO Adolescent to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results:

· A broad grasp of socioeconomic policy issues with respect to adolescents, OVC and HIV/AIDS in both rural and urban settings;

· Commitment to addressing inequalities in matters touching on adolescents;

· Experience working with government line ministries, private sector partners, civil society, donors, and local communities;

· Diplomacy, tact, and negotiating skills;

· Training/coaching skills;

· Supervision Skills;

· Understanding of development/relief issues;

· Commitment to humanitarian principles and action;

· Strategic thinking and vision.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none):

None

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: The PO Adolescent is a key member of the MWENDO project Cluster member. S/he will report to the Adolescent Advisor with a doted reporting line to Cluster Lead. S/he will collaborate with other project technical officers to ensure a holistic, integrated, and comprehensive project.

External: Key functions include representing CRS in various forums and forging relations with the GOK, LIPs, other stakeholders, and the community. The PO Adolescent will ensure the CRS mandate of skills building, mentorship and skills transfer are implemented with LIPs

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s or a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following disciplines: social sciences, gender, international development, development economics or another related field.

Knowledge

• At least 2 years for Master’s degree holders or 5 years for Bachelor’s degree holders with progressive experience implementing adolescent focused integrated ECD, HIV/AIDS, and other Health related projects in Kenya, preferably in an NGO setting.


• Strong technical and programmatic skills and experience across a range of adolescent issues and topics


• In-depth understanding of donor expectations for program results, outcomes, impact, and reporting


• Experience in the development of strategic and tactical plans in collaboration with others (stakeholders) who may represent a wide range of interests and needs


• Strong knowledge of the health and social service sector in Kenya.


• Strong interpersonal, writing, presentation, and organizational skills


• Proven collegial and cooperative approach to management and decision-making

Skills and Abilities

• Experience in implementing donor-funded projects


• Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire teamwork among diverse partners, without direct supervisory responsibilities


• Ability to transfer skills and knowledge through, training, mentorship and accompaniment


• Demonstrated ability to work with and in teams


• Excellent written, oral communication


• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office)


• Demonstrated ability to foster integration in programming approach


• Excellent understating of GOK, and CRS operating procedures

Required Foreign Language:

None

Required Travel:

The PO - Adolescent will be based in Kisumu but are expected to travel to “MWENDO project’’ areas for 35% of the time.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.