Catholic Relief Service (CRS) is recruiting to fill the following positions:

1.) Malaria Project Officer
2.) Community Engagement Project Officer

 

About CRS:

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, health (including malaria), agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

 

See job details and how to apply below.

 

1.) Malaria Project Officer

 

Department:      Programming

Reports To:        Research Technical Advisor – SP4

Country:              CRS-Sierra Leone.

Duty Location:   CRS Country Office, Freetown with 80% travel to study locations

 

Job Summary

The Malaria Research Project officer will provide day-to-day assistance in the partner-led malaria Incidence/prevalence studies to understand malaria prevalence in the study population.  S/he will support the Research Technical Adviser at CRS in proving field advice and support that will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive, and innovative CRS’ malaria programming is in Western Area Urban. The candidate will also be responsible for gathering and collecting malaria incidence data from the local public and private health facilities. S/he will be requested to represent the Research Technical adviser in external meetings at Ministry of health, DHMT, National Malaria Control Programme and research institutions whenever the need arises.

 

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Work in close collaboration with Research Partners and CRS colleagues to conduct Knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) baseline studies in research and controlled communities relating to  Malaria, housing WASH and environment in Western Area Urban informal settlements.
• Support research partners in mapping public and provide health facilities in research communities and also lead in the identification of FMCs members and CHWs in the assigned areas.
• Responsible for monthly collection of malaria incidence/prevalence data from public and private health facilities (dependent on where residents indicate they access care services). Manage Assistant Health Officers and support their professional development within the organization.
• Oversee and mentor data collection process in the field and be willing to travel for field work.
• Responsible for the management of malaria commodities/supplies (drugs, ITNs, RDT kits etc..) including raising request and release vouchers as well as distribution to research partners. This includes monthly/quarterly quantification of commodities, tracking of used and unused commodities based on sample size reached.
• Participate in all research, MEAL planning workshops and events conducted by CRS
• In collaboration with your supervisor, lead planning and implementation of community training/meetings on Advocacy and Systems Strengthening
• Support the Research Technical Adviser and research partners to oversee enrollment of survey size or respondents to ensure that informed consent is signed in assigned communities.
• Support the Technical Adviser ensuring safety and provide information regarding adverse events and any pertinent information to study participants in a prompt manner.
• Contribute to monthly, quarterly, and annual reports narrative reporting.  This will include Provision of weekly, monthly, and quarterly updates to supervisor.
• Support the Technical Adviser and research partners ensuring that research data are collected and stored according to the protocol and human research subject principles
• Lead in supervision of data verification and entry in the assigned study site. This includes data verification and cleansings at the point of collection.
• Collect baseline malaria incidence/prevalence data from health facilities in communities and support the MEAL team for data analysis.
• Support the Research Technical Adviser and clinical research teams to prepare and coordinate the shipment of a study blood samples.
• Ensure that all research and data collection assignment within assigned locations are conducted within agreed timescales.
• Timely and accurate preparation of requests for purchase of items, raise store release request  time  in a coordinated manner with supply chain.
• Support and monitor field study teams ensure that targeted sample sizes for each period of sampling is fully achieved to mitigate sample size attrition.
• Ensure compliance to all IPC and research protocols shared by CRS and the research partners.
• Comply and adhere to all CRS’s policies related to participant protection, abuse/exploitation, fraud health and safety.

 

Basic Qualifications and experience:

• Multiple years of post-training expertise as Community Health Officer (CHO), Pharm-Tech and related nursing discipline with practical experience in malaria prevention and case management.

Proven experience in supportive supervision related to data collection and ability to use electronic (Tablet based) data collection devices

• Training of trainer’s experience is also required.
• Proven experience working with research partners, data management is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word and power point).
• Able to participate in virtual meeting through zoom and other platforms.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

• Self-starter and resulted oriented individual with ability to influence others to produce result.
• Excellent time management and self-management skills with ability to support others manage their time in delivering multiple tasks.
•  Strong relationship building skills with diverse community mobilization and engagement skills in delivering task.  Ability to influence community stakeholders to get buy-in from consultants or research partners conducting studies.
• Full of Problem-solving skills, initiative, socially and culturally sensitive with ability to promote gender equality and social inclusion in data collection.
• Ability to identify and escalate risks/challenges and recommendations to management and study team.
• Supportive and participatory supervision, coaching, mentoring, facilitation, and on-the-job training skills.  Ability to do presentation internally and externally to stakeholders.

 

Required Languages– English and Krio are required.

Travel-Must be willing and able to travel up to 80 % to study locations.

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: Research Technical Adviser, Program Director Urban Resilience, MEAL team and Global fund field staff

External: Research Partners, Consultant, DHMT/Health facility staff and local authorities

 

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 & Stewardship

 

***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.

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 safeguarding-related topics. 

 

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.  CRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

 

To apply for this position please send up-to-date CV and a supporting letter, copies of relevant certificates to SL_HR@crs.org. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

 

Also send a copy of your application package to the desk Officers, Ministry of Employment and Social Security, New England and Extension Offices in Applicants’ Locations

 

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

 

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

 

Closing Date for the receipt of application packages is 9^th April 2021.

 

---

2.) Community Engagement Project Officer

 

Department:      Programming

Reports To:        Research Technical Adviser -SP4

Country:              CRS-Sierra Leone.

Duty Location:   CRS Country Office, Freetown with 80% travel to Study Location

 

Job Summary:  

The project officer will support the research Technical Adviser to provide field coordination and mobilization support to research partners search Technical Adviser in proving support that will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive, and innovative CRS’ malaria programming is in Western Area Urban. S/he will also provide day-to-day mobilization support in malaria Incidence/prevalence studies to understand malaria prevalence in the study population and ensure the engagement of local authorities/stakeholders and health facility staff and CHWs. S/he will be requested to represent the Research Technical adviser in external meetings whenever necessary.

 

Roles and Key Responsibilities: 

• Work in close collaboration with Research Partners and CRS colleagues to conduct Knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) baseline studies in research and controlled communities relating to Malaria, housing WASH and environment in Western Area Urban informal settlements.
• Ensure health Facility (PHU) staff, private for-profit health service providers, local authorities in the study and controlled communities are aware of the research work through continues engagement and dialogue.
• Support to oversee and mentor data collection process in the field and be willing to travel for field work.
• Provide community mobilization and technical support in the assigned study communities ensuring that enrolled household members fully participate and cooperate in the routine sampling test for malaria prevalence.
• Participate in all research, MEAL planning workshops and events conducted by CRS
• In collaboration with your supervisor, lead planning and implementation of community training/meetings on Advocacy and Systems Strengthening
• Contribute to monthly, quarterly, and annual reports narrative reporting.  This will include Provision of weekly, monthly, and quarterly updates to supervisor.
• Ensure that all research and data collection assignment within assigned locations are conducted within agreed timescales.
• Develop activity ToR and related budget for community engagement or trainings.
• With support from Research Technical Adviser, candidates will be required to lead periodic community assessment related to Malaria, WASH, housing, environment in the FCC’s Transform Freetown Targeted communities (Kolleh Town and Cockle Bay).
• Comply with all IPC and research protocols shared by CRS and the research partners.
• Comply and adhere to all CRS’s policies related to participant protection, abuse/exploitation, fraud health and safety.

 

Basic Qualifications and experience: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Community Development Studies, Social work or Social Sciences in related fields.  Two – three years of solid community engagement/social mobilization experience preferably, in urban settings.
• Proven experience in community mobilization and engagement of health facility staff, including building a good relationship and with different community stakeholders.
• Proven experience in supportive supervision related to data collection and ability to use electronic (Tablet based) data collection devices. Proven experience working with research partners, data management is required.  Knowledge and experience in social research, an added advantage.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word and power point).
• Able to participate in virtual meeting through zoom and other platforms

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

• Self-starter and resulted oriented individual with ability to influence others to produce result.
• Excellent time management and self-management skills with ability to support others manage their time in delivering multiple tasks.
• Strong relationship building skills with diverse community mobilization and engagement skills in delivering task.  Ability to influence community stakeholders to get buy-in from consultants or research partners conducting studies.
• Full of Problem-solving skills, initiative, socially and culturally sensitive with ability to promote gender equality and social inclusion in data collection.
• Ability to identify and escalate risks/challenges and recommendations to management and study team.
• Supportive and participatory supervision, coaching, mentoring, facilitation, and on-the-job training skills. Ability to do presentation internally and externally to stakeholders.

 

Required Languages– English and Krio are required.

Travel-Must be willing and able to travel up to 80 % to study locations.

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: Research Technical Adviser, Program Director Urban Resilience, MEAL team and Global fund field staff

External: Research Partners, Consultant, DHMT/Health facility staff and local authorities

 

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 & Stewardship

 

***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.

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 safeguarding-related topics. 

 

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.  CRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

 

To apply for this position please send up-to-date CV and a supporting letter, copies of relevant certificates to SL_HR@crs.org. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

 

Also send a copy of your application package to the desk Officers, Ministry of Employment and Social Security, New England and Extension Offices in Applicants’ Locations

 

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

 

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

 

Closing Date for the receipt of application packages is 9th April 2021.