Project Officer -Household Economic Strengthening (HES) (Ref.2018/076)

Department: Programming

Grade: 6

Reports To: Technically, Alternative Family Care Advisor and

administratively to County Team Lead

Country/Location: Kenya/ Kisumu

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, with partners Lumos and Maestral International, will work closely with Department of Children Services (DCS) and other care reform actors to implement programming and interventions to support care reform in Kenya. Kenya has been selected as one of three countries, together with the Republic of Moldova and Guatemala, to implement the initial phase of Changing the Way We Care (CTWWC) initiative. CTWWC is an initiative that aims to leverage existing strengths and efforts of key stakeholders as well as address identified gaps to move Kenya away from reliance on residential care facilities and towards stronger family-based care

Job Summary:**

The Project Officer – HES will monitor and report on all project activities related household economic capacity assessment and strengthening initiatives by providing training, coaching and mentorship, and technical support to LIPs, CCIs, caregivers, and careleavers in support of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your thorough and service-oriented approach will ensure that CTWWC consistently applies promising practices in strengthening the economic security of families and constantly works towards improving the household economic status as part of the case management process for reunification and reintegration of children, prevention of separation of children from their families, and ability of young careleavers to live independently. You will support LIPs and CCIs to liaise with relevant government ministries and programs, other technical experts and agencies, and the private sector for transition and reintegration process. Also, you will coordinate closely with CTWWC staff and other existing HES initiatives such as IGAs, vocational training and job placement, private public partnerships to contribute to a holistic, integrated, and comprehensive economic empowerment approach. This will involve, effective private sector engagement by the LIPs, CCIs and other key stakeholders in close coordination with AFC advisor. You will actively foster engagements that will promote partnership with stakeholders to contribute to stronger greater economic opportunity, social capital and financial capital for the LIPs, CCIs, caregivers and careleavers.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of all economic empowerment activities with target groups as outlined CTWWC detailed implementation plan in line with CTWWC program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.


• Provide capacity strengthening to CTWWC staff, LIP, CCIs, youths and caregivers through trainings, workshops, facilitated group interactions, as well as accompaniment through regular communication, and site visits to support the successful implementation of the economic empowerment initiative.


• Work closely with the positive parenting officer to ensure that economic strengthening is integrated with other family and youth strengthening activities.


• Learn, understand and adapt globally recognized best practices in HES and family strengthening for the target population of reintegrated children, youth and families, as well as careleavers.


• Conduct market assessments to inform family, youth and careleavers vocational skills training and job placements, linking closely with existing programs and services.


• Work closely with social workers to ensure that referrals and linkages to programs and services related to HES are facilitated and fulfilled.


• Provide models and capacity building to CCIs and other local partners interested in transition to HES types of services.


• Conduct rapid assessment and mapping on economic empowerment institutions and create linkages, networking and referral mechanisms for CTTWC partners and beneficiaries.


• Build and maintain productive relationship with relevant government departments like Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, trade and industrialization, NITA, and county government to create partnership opportunities for CTWWC economic empowerment for beneficiaries, including CCIs and LIPs transitioning to models of HES and youth empowerment.


• Represent CTWWC in meetings at county and sub counties, economic empowerment working groups, and other events as requested, to support forging relations with the GOK, LIPs, other stakeholders, and the community.


• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of all assigned project activities as per CTWWC MEAL standards and established schedules.


• Maintain records and databases of business prospects, contacts, and establish potential partnerships within various private sectors (private companies, foundations, financial institutions, public entities)


• Develop and help execute key partner management plan for private sector

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness management, Social Sciences or a related field. Master’s degree will be added advantage


• At least 4 years’ experience in economic strengthening support role working with either the government or NGO but preferably International NGO, and preferably with youth and/or families


• Experience in building and maintaining productive relations, institutional linkages required with implementing and strategic partner agencies.


• Knowledge working with communities on saving methodologies (VSLA, SILC, Table Banking, etc.), entrepreneurship and small business management, promoting livelihoods through agriculture and rural enterprise development, knowledge in micro-finance and financial inclusion principles and practices.


• Past experience in leveraging private public partnerships is preferred

Personal Skills

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment


• Ability to work effectively as a part of a team


• Interest in working with youth and ability to communicate with beneficiary populations


• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members and inspire teamwork among diverse partners without direct supervisory responsibilities


• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities


• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented

Required/Desired Foreign Language

Able to clearly communicate in written and spoken English

Travel Required

Some travel is expected within the CTWWC implementation sites and regularly to Nairobi

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: None

Internal: CTWWC staff, Health, Education and Social Services Unit, CRS Kenya MEAL Unit, Management Quality unit, CRS Kenya head of Programs.

External: Local Implementing partners, GOK, UNICEF, FBO, Kenya Society of Careleavers, relevant private sector entities, local communities, beneficiaries, donors and other stakeholders.

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


• Accountability & Stewardship


• Builds Relationships


• Develops Talent


• Continuous Improvement & Innovation


• Strategic Mindset

MEAL Competencies:

• Track portfolio and project MEAL requirements – both CTWWC MEAL Policies and Procedures (MPP) and donor requirements.


• Work with MEAL staff and partner staff to implement the MPP and CTWWC MEAL requirements applicable to your projects.


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


• Input into annual work planning process

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