• Job Description

  Req#: 3001223

  Reports To: Regional Coordinator

  Length of Contract: Upto September 30, 2024

  About CRS:

  Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Catholic 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 is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity, race or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners, including the Government to implement its programs.

  CRS opened operations in Kenya in 1965. For over 50 years, we have worked throughout the country to implement programs in agriculture, livelihoods, health and nutrition, water, sanitation, emergency relief and peace building. We have built deep relationships with the Government of Kenya and the Catholic Church through ongoing collaboration and support.

  Background:

  Changing The Way We CareSM (CTWWC) is a USAID Global Development Alliance originally funded by USAID, the MacArthur Foundation, and the GHR Foundation, and implemented by Catholic Relief Services and Maestral International along with other key partners such as national governments, Better Care Network and Faith to Action. CTWWC’s vision is to be a bold global initiative designed to promote safe, nurturing family care for children, including reforming national systems of care for children, strengthening families, family reunification and preventing child-family separation, which can have harmful, long-term consequences, development of alternative family-based care, and influencing others to build momentum towards a tipping point of change for children.

  CTWWC has three strategic objectives: (1) Governments promote family care through improvement and uptake of policies, investment in social workers, therapists, and other social service staff and the national and community systems that serve vulnerable children and families; (2) Children stay in or return to families through family strengthening that includes the voice of children, community engagement, and transitioning institutions to family support initiatives; and (3) Family care promoted globally, through global, regional and national advocacy to advance policies, best practices and redirection of resources by multi-lateral, bi-lateral, corporate, philanthropic, faith-based and secular organizations and individuals, increasing the demand from other countries to support family care.

  Job Summary:

  Reporting to the Regional Coordinator, the Project Officer will support the coordination, implementation and monitoring of assigned project activities in the respective assigned Counties. The incumbent will be expected to participate in partnership management and creation of new care reform networks with various stakeholders. Your thorough and technical support approach will ensure that the project consistently applies best practices and constantly works towards improving scaling and influence work that should reach and impact children, youth and families who are beneficiaries of care reform initiative. This will include ensuring that children, youth (care leavers), families, communities, CCIs, PWLE networks and all relevant stakeholders are actively and sufficiently engaged in the process.

  Specific Responsibilities:

  • Support the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CTWWC and CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
  • Provide technical support and guidance in the assessment, planning, design, and implementation of family strengthening activities that enable and support LIPs, CCIs, and statutory institutions in their case management work.
  • Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
  • Support and engage in a regular meeting, training development and dissemination of guidance, Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), tools or training curricula that support DCS, DSD, NCPWD Area Advisory Council (AAC’s), Alternative Care committees (ACCs), CCIs, and local implementing partners and their partners to improve family strengthening through case management and system strengthening approaches in line with guiding principles.
  • In conjunction with the Department of social development and County level Directorate of Children Services, conduct regular supportive supervision visits and OnJob training to partners and CCIs involved in care reform work
  • Offer regular technical mentorship assistance and training to stakeholders involved in care reform to promote scal.ing and influnce.
  • Strengthen and maintain networks with all partners including county government to ensure that children, youth, and families receive additional support through sharing information, collaboration, and leveraging of opportunities that would enhance opportunities for children returning/remaining in safe and nurturing families.
  • Support quality improvement initiatives and learning exchanges related to CTWWC approaches amongst CCIs, government, local implementing partners, and other key actors as a means of promoting good practice and ensure that learning from the county is fed up to the national level.
  • Document project results and outcomes in various forms, including media stories, promising practices, lessons learned, peer-reviewed journal articles, abstracts, case studies, client satisfaction, and program reports.
  • Provide capacity strengthening to LIP staff through training, workshops, facilitated group interactions, as well as accompaniment through regular communication, and site visits to support the successful implementation of family strengthening project activities.

  Skills and Abilities

  • Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with the ability to make a sound judgments.
  • Strong writing skills in professional English, level of proficiency should allow the candidate to serve as the primary author of high-quality written reports to donors with minimal revision.
  • Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
  • Able to engage with a variety of stakeholders and work in a productive and participatory manner.
  • Ability to effectively and efficiently explain and transfer skills and knowledge related to case management and reintegration.
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities with minimal supervision.
  • Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity and inclusion including gender equality.

  Required/Desired Foreign Language: Able to communicate in written and spoken English and Kiswahili.

  Travel Required: Travel within Kenya will be determined. Need based trips to Nairobi and other demonstration areas are expected. (Up to 50%)

  Key Working Relationships:

  Supervisory Responsibilities: None

  Internal: CTWWC/IFS staff, Health, Education and Social Services Unit,

  External: Local implementing partners, GOK, UNICEF, CCIs, faith-based organizations, relevant private sector entities, local communities, beneficiaries, donors, and other stakeholders.

  Qualifications

  Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

  Education and Knowledge

  • University degree in one of the following disciplines: social sciences, international development, social work, community development, or another related field.
  • At least 3 years’ professional experience in child protection, family strengthening, or in related social work fields
  • Understanding of the Kenyan child care and protection policy context and with issues around care reform.
  • Experience in case management systems and referral network design, assessment, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
  • Experience with and desire to work directly with children and families.
  • Experience working in both county level as well as community settings preferably in care reform.
  • Ability to provide use of appropriate adult learning approaches to training, technical assistance, and mentoring to implementing partners, CCI staff, and children and families.
  • Experience in conducting assessments, interviewing, and working with children and families, data collection, and related activities.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to manage complex and sensitive organizational relationships particularly between DCS, CCIs, LIPs, and families/ households
  • Good understanding of and experience working in child protection and care reform.

  Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

  Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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.

  • Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
  • Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
  • Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
  • Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
  • Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

  Agency Leadership Competencies:

  • Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
  • Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
  • Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

  MEAL Competencies:

  • Track portfolio and project MEAL requirements – both CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures (MPP) and donor requirements.
  • Work with MEAL staff and partner staff to implement the MPP and donor MEAL requirements applicable to your projects.
  • Complete the annual MEAL procedure self-assessment for your project and develop an action plan to advance MEAL practice.
  • Input into the annual work planning process

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

  What we offer:

  CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

  ***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

  CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.

  CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities.

  CRS’ emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a baby room at the office, and flexible working hours where possible. Women and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

  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.

  The protection of your personal data is important to Catholic Relief Services. By submitting your application, you consent to CRS using your personal data only for the recruitment process to have all the information and documents necessary to proceed with the recruitment, validation of your application and selection of the most suitable candidate. Your personal data will be treated confidentially. CRS will not use your personal data in any other way other than for purposes of recruitment.

• About the company

  Catholic Relief Services is the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States.

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