Caritas is recruiting to fill the following positions:

1.) Field Officer
2.) Project Officer

Caritas Internationalis is a confederation of 165 Catholic relief, development and social service organizations operating in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. Collectively and individually, their missions are to work to build a better world, especially for the poor and oppressed.

See job details and how to apply below.

1.) Field Officer

Closing Date: 2nd August 2021

Contract Duration: 1-year with the possibility of extension based on performance

Job Overview: Based in Kenema, with frequent field visits, the Field Officer will be responsible for directly liaising with communities and beneficiaries and supporting the Project Officer to implement all field activities for the Women and Girls FIRST (Financial Inclusion & Resilience Strengthening) project. This three-year initiative is being funded by Jersey Overseas Aid and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD). In partnership with CAFOD, Caritas Kenema and several private-sector service providers, the project will focus on strengthening resilience and improving financial inclusion among rural communities in Sierra Leone, especially women and girls. This will be accomplished through three main strategies: improving access and adoption of inclusive and appropriate financial services and products, strengthening knowledge and understanding of financial skills by reinforcing literacy development, and financially empowering women and girls by building up their confidence, self-reliance and agency and supporting women-led micro, small and medium enterprises.

Reporting to: Project Officer

Specific Responsibilities:

• Support the project officer in mobilization, planning, coordination, and monitoring of all field activities.

• Develop work plans (Weekly, Monthly, and Quarterly) to ensure effective implementation of activities as outlined in the proposal.

• Facilitate the identification and formation, and mobilization of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and other project beneficiaries through local structures and community engagement.

• Facilitate the identification of VSLA Financial Champions to enhance community awareness and sustainability.

• Monitor and oversee the VSLA meetings and activities. Ensure toolkits are supplied appropriately.

• Support roll-out of CAFOD’s model for private sector engagement.

• Mentor and support project beneficiaries throughout the implementation period.

• Identify technical capacity challenges for beneficiaries and existing skills/knowledge gaps in Financial and Business development skills.

• Support the monitoring of project activities at the field level, as per the M&E plan, through collection of data and submission of timely and accurate reports.

• Contribute to ensuring accountability to project beneficiaries and local stakeholders.

• Support community mobilization efforts through communication and information sharing with project beneficiaries at the community level.

Requirements

• Diploma in social work, community development or other related field from a recognized academic institution. A Bachelor’s degree will be an added advantage.

• At least 1-year field experience with a local or international NGO in Sierra Leone.

• Experience organising community structures in remote locations.

• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant information.

• Knowledge and experience in the Village Savings and Loans (VSLA) model a plus.

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, coordination and writing skills.

Other Skills

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.

• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups.

• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.

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

• Ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks.

• Flexible work schedule to include some weekends.

• Possession of a driver’s license and proven ability to ride motorbike in difficult terrains.

• Readiness to travel and work in remote areas.

Language Required

Fluency in English, Krio and Mende.

How to apply: 

If interested for the above role, please send your application with your most updated Curriculum Vitae and Cover letter to the following address:

caritasinkenema2019@gmail.com

not later than 2nd August 2021 at close of business.

Hard copies can also be hand delivered to the Office Assistant through the following address:

Caritas Sierra Leone-Kenema, 4 reservation road at 4:30 PM at the latest on the deadline date above

Note: Late submissions will not be accepted

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

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

Safeguarding for young People and Vulnerable Adults

We recognise the personal dignity and rights of young people and vulnerable adults, towards whom it has a special responsibility and a duty of care and respect. We required that all our staff and volunteers, undertake to do all in their power to create a safe environment for young people and vulnerable adults and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse. We are committed to acting at all times in the best interests of young people and vulnerable adults, seeing these interests as paramount. Any candidate offered a job with us will be expected to adhere to our Safeguarding policy as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provision of this document. This post involves responsibility for people who will have contact with young people and vulnerable adults and applicants will be subject to specific checks related to safeguarding issues.

2.) Project Officer

Closing Date: 2nd August 2021

Contract Duration:1-year with the possibility of extension based on performance

Job Overview: Based in Kenema, with frequent field visits, the Project Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation, oversight and monitoring of the Women and Girls FIRST (Financial Inclusion & Resilience Strengthening) project. This three-year initiative is being funded by Jersey Overseas Aid and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD). In partnership with CAFOD, Caritas Kenema and several private-sector service providers, the project will focus on strengthening resilience and improving financial inclusion among rural communities in Sierra Leone, especially women and girls. This will be accomplished through three main strategies: improving access and adoption of inclusive and appropriate financial services and products, strengthening knowledge and understanding of financial skills by reinforcing literacy development, and financially empowering women and girls by building up their confidence, self-reliance and agency and supporting women-led micro, small and medium enterprises.

Reporting to: Programme Manager

Specific Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the project proposal andin line with CAFOD program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and best practices.

• Develop detailed workplans and use planning tools to keep track of all activities to ensure the project activities, outputs and outcomes are achieved in a timely manner.

• Organize and leadexternal and internal assessments, trainings, awareness-raising sessions, and monitoring visits with a gender inclusion lens.

• Facilitate roll-out of CAFOD’s model for private sector engagement.

• Monitor and supportField Officers and the mobilization and sensitization of communities on key project strategies to ensure community ownership.

• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team.

• Support and coordinate capacity-strengthening and technical support to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.

• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete and filed per donor requirements.

• Prepare and share regular case studies.

• Liaise with external stakeholders – namely the Government Line Ministries, International Non-Governmental Organisations, local partners, private sector service providers, community members etc. to ensure effective communication and project implementation.

• Represent the organisation in various forums (relevant sector working groups, government meetings, civil society events, etc.).

• With the support of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team, conduct regular monitoring and evaluation processes against project objectives.

• With the support of the Finance and Administration Officer, oversee the development of narrative and financial reports, progress reports, and promotional materials for the donors.

• Carry out other assignments as requested by the line manager.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or development. Qualifications in Microfinance a plus. Additional experience may substitute for some education.

• At least 5 years’ experience in implementing Livelihoods or Financial Inclusion projects, with focuses on gender inclusion and women and girl’s empowerment.

• Proven knowledge and experience in the Village Savings and Loans (VSLA) model.

• Proven experience in project cycle management in an NGO setting

• Experience working with community groups, 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).

• Strong analytical and critical thinking, coordination and writing skills.

Other Skills

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.

• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups.

• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.

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

• Excellent skills in leadership.

• Ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks.

• Flexible work schedule to include some weekends.

• Possession of a driver’s license and proven ability to ride motorbike in difficult terrains.

• Readiness to travel and work in remote areas.

Language Required

Fluency in English and Krio. Fluency in Mende will be an added advantage

How to apply:

If interested for the above role, please send your application with your most updated Curriculum Vitae and Cover letter to the following address:

caritasinkenema2019@gmail.com

not later than 2nd August 2021 at close of business.

Hard copies can also be hand delivered to the Office Assistant through the following address:

Caritas Sierra Leone-Kenema, 4 reservation road at 4:30 PM at the latest on the deadline date above

Note: Late submissions will not be accepted

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

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

Safeguarding for young People and Vulnerable Adults

We recognise the personal dignity and rights of young people and vulnerable adults, towards whom it has a special responsibility and a duty of care and respect. We required that all our staff and volunteers, undertake to do all in their power to create a safe environment for young people and vulnerable adults and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse. We are committed to acting at all times in the best interests of young people and vulnerable adults, seeing these interests as paramount. Any candidate offered a job with us will be expected to adhere to our Safeguarding policy as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provision of this document. This post involves responsibility for people who will have contact with young people and vulnerable adults and applicants will be subject to specific checks related to safeguarding issues.