Job Vacancies @ Catholic Relief Services (CRS) – 2 Positions

Catholic Relief Services is recruiting to fill the following positions:

1.) Communication Assistant
2.) Finance Officer – MGD/FFE

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 are accomplished through programs of emergency response, health (including malaria), agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

CRS/ Sierra Leone and Program Background

Catholic Relief Service (CRS) started work in Sierra Leone in 1963 carrying out the commitment of the Catholic bishops and the Catholic community of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. For over 57 years, CRS has been on the front lines in responding to emergencies and promoting health, education, agriculture, and urban resilience in Sierra Leone.

To date, the Country Program has a robust portfolio built around several major programs in Health, Agriculture, Nutrition, Education and Urban Resilience such as the USDA/McGovern Dole Food for Education and Nutrition (All Pikin for Learn) Program, Global Fund Malaria Program and COVID-19 Response Mechanism Project. In addition, the country program is working on several high-profile opportunities to improve water security in Freetown and support Freetown City Council to deliver its Transform Freetown strategy through slum regeneration.

See job details and how to apply below.

1.) Communication Assistant

Department:   Communication Unit

Reports To:        Communication Manager

Country: CRS-Sierra Leone. 

Duty Location:  CRS Country Office, Freetown with 40% to project locations

Job Summary:

The Communications Assistant will work closely with programs staffs to create content and to ensure strategic alignment of communications, consistent messaging, and a strong brand identity. The Communications Assistant creates content and uses effective communications channels to reach several different audiences and help increase CRS Sierra Leone positioning for funding and influence.  This includes stories, multimedia and reports as required, as well as ensuring CRS’ compliance with donor branding and marking requirements. The job holder will also support social behavior change communications on Malaria, Tuberculous and COVID-19.

• Write, design, and coordinate the production of creative and compelling communication and marketing material –stories, photos, video, fact sheets, brochures, etc. – for various audiences, including public and private donors, local and national governments, local Church, 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 CPs communications strategy.
• Use and tailor agency messages tailored for each audience, identify, and utilize effective distribution channels to disseminate communications materials to key audiences.
• As appropriate, manage social media channels and develop contents for the country program social media pages.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local media and help identify opportunities to reach key audiences.
• Organize media coverage for all external events as appropriate and document outputs.
• Support the dissemination of relevant information among personnel, partners, and project participants or other relevant actors related to the CP.
• Provide marketing and communications support for events, including signage, handouts, talking points, photos, liaising with media, etc., r
• Support the creation of processes, manuals and trainings for CP staff and partners on issues related to communications, marketing, and media relations.
• Monitor the media for mentioned of CRS and produce weekly media review for staff.
• Work closely with the relevant Government bodies and partners to develop SBCC strategies and manage implementation of those strategies. Provide technical support to programs on SBCC components of their projects.
• Develop weekly contents for CRS social media pages and produce bi-yearly newsletter.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, or related studies; experience in INGOs preferred.
• Minimum two years marketing and communication experience, ideally for an NGO or another organization in development and relief programming.
• Minimum 1 years’ experience developing and implementing SBCC strategies targeting vulnerable groups in remote setting.
• 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 partners 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 40 % is required.
• Highly proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and desktop publishing skills is required.

• Experience in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign, Lightroom and Photoshop is strongly desired.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• 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 partners 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.
• Highly proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and adobe creative suite required.

Required Languages: Krio and Strong English skills (preferred)

Travel:  Must be willing and able to travel up to 40 % to project locations

Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory Responsibilities (none)

Internal: Regional Marketing and Communications Team, Program Directors, Program Managers and Project officers.

External: The media, CRS implementing partners and project participants.

____________________________________________________________________________

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. 

To apply for any of these positions please send up-to-date CV and a supporting letter, copies of relevant certificates to [email protected]. 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 6^th May 2022.

2.) Finance Officer – MGD/FFE

Department:   Operations – Kabala

Reports To:    Senior Finance Officer – Kabala

Country: CRS-Sierra Leone.

Duty Location:   CRS Field Office – Kabala

Job Summary:

You will provide service in the day-to-day delivery of responsive, effective, and efficient financial administrative activities in support of the Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) mission to serve the poor and vulnerable. You will provide consistent and high-quality service and contribute to the proper stewardship of resources to help ensure operational effectiveness in support of high-quality programming

• Writing all disbursement and receipt vouchers
• To provide support and training for colleagues as appropriate, contribute to improve project compliance objective.
• Ensuring all cash disbursement requests are processed within 2 days of receipt
• Ensuring the proper codification of all transactions
• Entering all vouchers in the excel template daily and send the template to Freetown weekly
• Checking and verify petty cash transactions for reimbursement
• Deducting and reconciling withholding taxes
• Compiling the consolidated receipts and payments reports and cash request reports monthly for dispatch to Freetown within 4 days
• Receiving and recording all cash summited to the office on a daily basis
• Collecting and banking all cash/cheque receipts within 24 hours
• Writing and issuing out cheque
• Updating the cash receipt and cheque disbursement ledgers on a daily basis
• Interacting with bank for details of transactions and bank statements
• Updating cash balances for all CRS accounts daily to ensure that none is overdraw
• Ensure that project expenses are monitored against the project budgets, time liquidation of project and other advances per CRS policy and follow up on delayed advances liquidations
• Accompany project officers on project visits and assists them in the review of the advance liquidation and liquidation systems applied by the partners
• Any other duties that may be assigned by the head of finance or area manager.

Basic Qualifications

• High School Diploma required. Professional diploma/Certificate or courses in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business Administration a plus.
• Minimum of two years of work experience in a similar role with some familiarity of standard accounting practices. Experience with an international organization a plus.
• Experience using MS Office packages, particularly in Excel and Word. Hands-on experience with data entry into online databases and forms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to detect and report inconsistencies
• Accuracy and completeness with great attention to detail
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the relevant public donors’ regulations preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Familiar with an accounting software system. Knowledge of Project Insight is a plus.

Required Languages – – English and Krio are required.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 20 % to project locations.

Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory Responsibilities (none)

Internal:  All Finance Staff, Head of Operations

External: Government Agencies

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply for any of these positions please send up-to-date CV and a supporting letter, copies of relevant certificates to [email protected]. 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