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

1.) Advocacy and Communications Officer
2.) Junior Professionals

See job details and how to apply below.

1.) Advocacy and Communications Officer

CRS JOB ADVERT – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL 

CRS is Recruiting for 1 Position: Advocacy and Communications Officer 

If you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below job descriptions, and follow the instructions to submit your application package.  

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, HIV, health, agriculture, education,  microfinance and peacebuilding.

The project aims to promote an inclusive political process, social cohesion and socio-economic  improvement for young people in Sierra Leone. Through this project, CRS and implementing partners  will engage diverse stakeholders to address unequal power relations between leaders and young  people at district and national levels. The project will empower young people, particularly young  women, to engage in advocacy activities against gender-based violence (GBV) and underlying cultural  and traditional beliefs that undermine youth participation in socio-economic activities. Young people  will also be empowered and protected to support peacebuilding efforts at chiefdom and district  levels.

The project outcomes are:

• Enhanced participation and representation of youth (including women and PWDs) in  decision-making processes.
• Outcome 2: Youths are capacitated to mitigate conflict and promote social cohesion.
•  Outcome 3: Youths including young women and youths with disability engaged in diversified  livelihoods.

Job Summary: 

The Communications and Advocacy Officer for the Youth in Politics and Peacebuilding project will  work closely with the Country Program Communications team to create content and to ensure  strategic alignment of communications, consistent messaging, and strong brand identity of the  project. The Communications and Advocacy Officer creates content and uses effective  communications channels to reach several different audiences. This includes stories, multimedia, and  reports as required, as well as ensuring CRS’ compliance with donor branding and marking  requirements. She/He will develop IEC materials, advocacy, and communications strategies as  aligned to the project approach. The incumbent will support the program team to mobilize and train  project participants and partners on communications and advocacy.

Job Title: Advocacy and Communication Officer 

Department: Programming – UNPBF 

Reports To: Project Manager – UNPBF, with dotted lines to the Communications Manager Country: CRS-Sierra Leone. 

Duty Location: CRS Freetown Office 

Roles and Key Responsibilities 

• Write, design, and manage the production of creative and compelling communication and  marketing material –stories, photos, video, fact sheets, brochures, etc. – for various  audiences, including local and national governments, community stakeholders, partners,  media and others as needed.
• Coordinate freelancers in the production of above marketing materials as needed.
•  Support the procurement processes for licenses, equipment, and applications needed to  implement the project communications plan.
• Use and tailor agency messages tailored for each audience and identify and utilize effective  distribution channels to disseminate communications materials to key audiences.
•  Contribute content to the Country Program social media channels.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local media and help identify opportunities to  reach key audiences.
• Develop social behavior change and campaign Information, Education and Communication  (IEC) materials.
• Support the dissemination of relevant information among personnel, partners, and project participants or other relevant actors related to the project.
• Provide marketing and communications support for events, including signage, handouts,  talking points, photos, liaising with media, etc., and convene local media whenever a CRS  event takes place.
• Support partners in visibility and branding of the project
• Support partners to develop and report success stories
• Support the creation of processes, manuals and training for CP staff and partners on issues  related to communications and advocacy.
• Develop communications and advocacy strategy for the project in collaboration with  partners.

Activities 

• Training youths (male) on CRS positive masculinity concept to advocate Gender Based  Violence and advance women’s leadership.
• Conduct basic social skills training such as public speaking, mobilization, lobbying, and  advocacy skills for young women
• Support the program team to organize dialogue sessions with key stakeholders to promote  and influence the positive involvement of young women in leadership.
• Organize training for women and youth.
• Develop communications and advocacy strategies support the implementation of the  strategy and train local partners in advocacy.

Basic Qualifications  

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Social Science or related studies;  experience in INGOs or UN preferred.
• Minimum five years of advocacy and communication experience, ideally for an NGO or another  organization in development and relief programming.
• Excellent English language oral and written communication skills is required.
•  Individual must possess the ability to influence without direct authority.
•  Ability and desire to work well with diverse employees and customers in a cooperative and  friendly manner.
• Must possess ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
•  Demonstrated track record of successfully disseminating information to a variety of target  audiences.
• Travel up to 60 % is required.
• Highly proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and desktop publishing skills is required.

Preferred Qualifications  

• Experience in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign, is strongly desired.
• Experience in advocacy on sensitive issue in rural setting is strongly desired.

Required Languages – Good English Language, Krio

And other related (French).

Travel – include percentage of required travel, if applicable. Could be stated as Must be willing and  able to travel up to 40%.

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal – CRS Staff 

External – All Related to CRS  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
•  Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and  community members
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none) 

_________________________________________________________________________________________ 

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 email address below. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. SL_HR@crs.org.

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 30th April 2024.

2.) Junior Professionals

CRS JOB ADVERT – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL

CRS is recruiting for X1 Position:  Junior Professionals

If you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below job descriptions, and follow the instructions to submit your application package. 

As the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States, CRS carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion, or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through integrated programming in emergency response, health, agriculture/livelihoods, education, peacebuilding and more. 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.

Job Title: Junior Professionals

Department: Programs/Operations

Reports To:        Communications Manager

Country:             Catholic Relief Services Sierra Leone Program

Duty Location: CRS Freetown, with travel when applicable

Program Summary

The Junior Professionals Program (JPP) is a unique career-building opportunity for women who are passionate about relief and development work and have the skills, attitude and approach to grow into managerial positions with CRS. This structured and intentional field-based learning program is designed to prepare Junior Professionals for positions of greater responsibility with CRS.

Under the supervision of experienced staff, Junior Professionals actively support CRS’ relief and/or development projects while building foundational skills in programming and operations. During the 12-month program, Junior Professionals gain experience in project management (including monitoring and evaluation), project design and proposal development, partnership and capacity building, budget and resource management, supply chain, logistics, human resources and more. With this practical training and the support of strong mentors, graduates of the JPP are strong candidates for onward positions with CRS.

Primary Responsibilities

Under the supervision of an experienced staff member, the Junior Professional will support CRS’ programming and operations as follows:

Project Management

• Support implementation of current projects (e.g. participate in planning/review workshops, support development of capacity building/awareness raising materials)
• Support monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning activities (review/develop survey instruments, oversee periodic collection of monitoring data, train data collectors, support evaluations, document lessons learned, etc).
• Support appropriate management of cash and in-kind resources (monitor/analyze spending on project budgets, prepare cash forecasts, participate in financial reporting to donors, study & support commodity management, etc).
• Support timely and accurate reporting (review/synthesize data to report on project indicators, draft/edit narrative reports in collaboration with CRS staff and partners, etc).

Project Design and Proposal Development

• Support research & analysis to inform project design (primary & secondary data collection, needs assessments, problem identification, stakeholder analysis, gender analysis, gap analysis, theory of change, etc).
• Support proposal development for CRS and partners (draft sections of technical narratives and budget, package/edit proposals for submission).

Partnership & Capacity Building

• • Support CRS partners with activity planning & implementation, project design, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning.

• Support partnership strengthening and capacity building (e.g., participate in partnership reflection workshops, partner assessments and monitoring visits).

Finance, Supply Chain, HR, Compliance

• Support strong financial management by analyzing budgets, monitoring & forecasting spending, reviewing supporting documentation for financial transactions by CRS and sub-recipients.
• Support supply chain management by reviewing systems for delivery, storage, and distribution of goods, assisting with inventory counts, data collection, analysis & verification.
• Support procurement by assisting with bid analysis and vendor selection, contracting, receipt and warehousing of goods.
• Support human resources by preparing job descriptions, reviewing applications/shortlisting candidates.
• Support audit and compliance by reviewing internal controls, systems for fraud prevention, studying CRS policies and donor regulations.
• Support security by reviewing security protocols and manuals, updating as needed.

Key Working Relationships

Internal: CRS Country Representative, Head of Programming, Head of Operations, Program Managers, Finance, Supply Chain and HR staff

External: CRS partner organizations

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related field or Bac + 5 equivalent (e.g., International Development, Agriculture, Health, Business, Public Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Supply Chain) Graduated within 18 months of October 2021
• At least 6 months of relevant work experience (includes internships, volunteer, or paid work experience)
• Excellent speaking and writing skills in English.
• Citizen of Sierra Leone
• Desire to work in development and humanitarian field.
• Works well in teams and multicultural environment.
• Willingness to travel (up to 10-15% of the time)

Preferred qualifications:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, strong research skills, sound judgement
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented
• Strong relation management abilities (ability to collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds)
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Web Conferencing Applications

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff) 

Based on the mission, values, and guiding principles of the agency, CRS competencies are to be exemplified by all staff in fulfillment of his or her respective roles and responsibilities.

• Integrity

• Accountability and Stewardship

• Builds Relationships

• Develops Talent

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Strategic Mindset

***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. 

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.

Please click on the link below and follow the instruction to apply:

APPLY

Closing Date for the receipt of application packages is 30th April 2024.