Company Profile

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. CRS Ghana was established in 1958, a year after Ghana gained independence. In Ghana, CRS works with local partners to tackle poverty on several fronts including improving health and nutrition; increasing access to safe water and improved sanitation; promoting agriculture to enhance food security; and increasing financial assets through Savings and Internal Lending Communities. 

Job Description

• Job Title: SILC Project Officer
• Department: Health
• Grade:  7
• Reports To:  Project Manager (SCORE ECD III)
• Country/Location:    Tamale, Norther Region/Ghana

Job Summary

As a SILC Project Officer in the SCORE ECD III (Strengthening Capacity of Women Religious in Early Childhood Development) project team, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) and Private Service Provider (PSP) activities related to the SCORE III project. You are also expected to provide technical guidance and advice to staff, implementing partner(s), and community stakeholders. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the activities which you are responsible for apply best practices and constantly work toward improving the impact of project benefits.

Job Responsibilities

• Facilitate the implementation of SILC component of the CRS-SCORE III Project  activities on timely basis and ensure sustained linkages between activities of the project
• Ensure effective collaboration and linkage between CRS Ghana and relevant partners including targeted decentralized government agencies at the regional and district levels.
• Facilitate the roll out of the SILC Private Service Provider Business Model as part of  the overall SILC component.
• Work with the Project Manager and district level partner staff in preparation of work plans, capacity building modules, planning and delivery of project activities
• Plan with, assign tasks to, and supervise partner field staff (Reverend Sisters) in the execution of their duties and responsibilities.
• Work closely with other technical team members (including the MEAL Specialist) in the implementation of key project components at the district and community level to realize all project objectives and results including but not limited to farmer training, seed/technology fairs and effective SILC groups.

Project Implementation and Management:

• Support and collaborate with project implementing partners and the target communities to undertake all activities aimed at enhancing the achievement of project strategic objectives
• In collaboration with the PM and PO for IBMC, identify and promptly resolve all trouble-shooting issues as they arise within the team and work on team building and team beneficiary communities
• Sensitize district partners and communities about project objectives
• Support partners to mobilize and register SILC groups
• Monitor and evaluate activities of all partners and submit reports to the PM
• Consult the Project Manager in planning and organizing training workshops for collaborating
• partner staff, SILC groups and community volunteers
• Support and coordinate step down trainings by partner staff and PSPs
• Facilitate the process of documentation of project activities as required by the project/CRS.
• Periodically review field activities to ensure and promote quality of service and maintain high quality standards in the implementation of the SILC aspects.
• Trouble-shoot challenges and find appropriate solutions to them

Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting:

• Periodically conduct field visits to ensure implementation plan is followed and level of activities is on track.
• Ensure the conduct of targeted assessments and surveys on timely basis
• Setup and continuously update the SILC information on SAVIX.
• Ensure accurate data collection, processing and timely reporting on project activities
• In collaboration with the MEAL SPO, monitor the project SILC activities.
• Support the conduct of targeted assessments and surveys on timely basis
• Work closely with MEAL SPO, key component specialists to supervise implementing partner staff and PSPs on the MEAL requirements of the project, and to assure that the project meets set goals and objectives
• Produce success stories and human-interest stories on project impact.
• Support coordination of and participate in field visits from project partners

Other Duties/Assignments:
Carry out any other duties/assignments as shall from time to time be directed by the Project manager, the Head of Programs or Country Representative

 Key Working Relationships:

Internal: CRS/Ghana programming and operations departments, SCORE-ECD Project Manager, MEAL SPO, iMBC Project Officer

External: National Association of Religious women, Ghana, Partner congregations and Sisters, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, ECD experts, Ghana Health Service, District Assemblies, Local Leaders/Chiefs, and other stakeholders.

Required Skills or Experience

Required Languages _- Fluency and proficiency in English language is preferred

 Travel _– Must be willing and able to travel up to 80 %.

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

 Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Staff supervision experience a plus.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data_.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint_).

Educational Qualification:

• University degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Business Administration, Agriculture, Early Childhood Development, or any other relevant professional background in Maternal and Child Health.
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support. Experience in the field of MCH programming and for an NGO would be a plus.
• Experience in participatory action planning, community engagement, Monitoring and Evaluation
• Experience working with SILC/VSLAs (Demonstrable understanding on the mechanics of Savings and Loans groups) Work experience in and ability to relate with rural populations especially women
• Clear understanding of gender dynamics and mainstreaming.
• Ability to effectively communicate with beneficiaries, partners, and project staff.
• Ability to develop project communication materials (presentations, reports, success stories, and BCC materials relevant to SILC).
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Possession of License to ride a motorcycle is preferred.
• Knowledge of local language would be preferable.

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 & Stewardships.