lucius July 10, 2023 0 Comments

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

Freetown | Sierra Leone Posted 1 year ago Posted on Accounting / Audit / Finance, Engineering / Technical, Project Management

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

1.) Senior Finance Officer
2.) Project Engineer – Infrastructure, Shelter & Settlement

See job details and how to apply below.

1.) Senior Finance Officer

CRS JOB ADVERT – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL

CRS is recruiting for X1 Position: Project Engineer – Senior Finance 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.

Job Summary:

You will help coordinate and contribute to the implementation of the Country Program’s (CP’s) accounting systems, policies and procedures in compliance with CRS’ established accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donors’ rules and regulations, and legal requirements to support high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. You will efficiently perform accounting services through documenting financial transactions by compiling, analyzing, and verifying account information; preparing account entries; and delivering financial reporting services.

Job Title: Senior Finance Officer

Department: Finance – Treasury

Reports To: Finance Manager

Country: Catholic Relief Services Sierra Leone Program

Duty Location: CRS Freetown, must be willing and able to trave up to 5% to the field, SR Offices and project implementation sites

Job Summary

_ Roles and Key Responsibilities:

Review and validate supporting documentation before processing of financial transactions to ensure all required documents are accurate and complete and authorizations are in place.
Ensure setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions for assigned accounts in Insight financial accounting package.
Record financial transactions following appropriate authorizations. Review and analyze various accounts to detect irregularities. Advise on corrective actions and prepare correcting entries and adjustments, as necessary.
Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules, alert relevant staff of due payments/liquidations, and maintain appropriate communication and follow-up to facilitate timeliness of financial resource management.
Prepare various, periodic and ad hoc financial reports, as needed, and perform variance analyses to assist with decision-making and proper management of financial resources.
Provide information to subrecipients and staff on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and contribute to capacity strengthening.
Perform assigned treasury (cash payment/receipt, cash forecast, etc.) duties, as long as segregation of duties is ensured.

Basic Qualifications:

B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent).
Minimum of two years experience in a position with similar responsibilities, preferably with an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution.

Required Languages – English

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 5% to the field, SR Offices and project implementation sites.

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.

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.

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 21st July 2023.

2.) Project Engineer – Infrastructure, Shelter & Settlement

CRS JOB ADVERT – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL

CRS is recruiting for X1 Position: Project Engineer – Infrastructure, Shelter & Settlement

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.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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, regardless of race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through emergency response programs, health (including malaria), agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS/ Sierra Leone and Program Background

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 60 years, CRS has responded to emergencies and promoted 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 and Global Fund Malaria Program. In addition, the country program is working on several high-profile opportunities to improve water security in Freetown (the Water Fund Project) and support Freetown City Council to deliver its Transform Freetown strategy through slum regeneration (the Transforming Lives Project)

Job Title: Project Engineer – Infrastructure, Shelter & Settlement

Department: Urban Resilience

Reports To: Technical Advisor ll – Infrastructure, Shelter & Settlement

Country: Catholic Relief Services Sierra Leone Program

Duty Location: CRS Freetown, must be willing and able to trave up to 10%

Job Summary

The Project Engineer – Infrastructure, Shelter & Settlement will support research coordination, technical advice and guidance to a wide range of program design and implementation issues in the area of Infrastructure, Shelter and Settlement in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to Country Program (CP) teams to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable in informal settlements in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Your technical knowledge, advice and guidance will contribute to advancing the implementation of the Transforming Lives initiative in collaboration with key project partners and stakeholders. You will coordinate with the CRS Homes & Communities platform to ensure that learning from the Transforming Lives initiative around strategies for scaling is captured and disseminated across the agency. You will also help to coordinate the slum upgrading activities with other research and projects taking place in the two target communities, such as the multi-sectoral urban malaria research. You will provide assistance and technical expertise in design adjustments, construction, supervision and coordination in the field, ensuring high quality and consistency of work. You will also provide guidance to other team members/projects ensuring knowledge transfer for capacity building. You will be supervised by Technical Advisor 11- Infrastructure, Shelter & Settlement.

Primary Responsibility:

Development and implementation of shelter construction activities including the monitoring of contractor performance and construction quality;

Specific Job Responsibilities

Assessment

Implement technical assessment for shelter.
Prepare detailed cost estimates and unit prices for technical standards to support overall program decision-making.
Assess what agency resources (staff, material and financial) will be required for the planned activities and to keep senior management informed.

Program Design

Implement program methods and operational plans in accordance with the agreed construction strategy. Ensure that all construction activities are developed in coordination with other sector teams, as appropriate.
Prepare appropriate design, construction and monitoring methods which draw upon the best practices of CRS; ensure that all CRS construction programs comply with relevant local, national and international standards and regulations, and reflect agency best practices.
Oversee the development and use of program documentation and tools, in accordance with agency best.
Ensure that environmental and sustainability issues are considered in the program design, in keeping with agency best practices and the guidelines.

Project Management and Implementation

Implement and oversee all construction programming, including technical assessments, project development and design, tendering and contract administration.
Assist and support the development of project documentation, including project development tools, technical designs and cost plans, tender and contract documentation, project tracking tools, and program budgets.
Manage construction staff, and collaborate with partners and communities, in developing and implementing projects. Incorporate CRS program staff and partner staff capacity into all aspects of project design, development and implementation.
Implement and oversee the selection and management of service suppliers and construction contractors to complement the capacity of the CRS construction team.
Under direction of the Engineering and Construction Program Manager, participate in the procurement and logistics process for materials and equipment required by the construction program.
Ensure compliance with quality, safety, and environmental standards for all projects, in keeping with internationally agreed best practices or as otherwise outlined in agency guidelines.
Liaise with key non-government organizations (NGOs) and national, provincial, and local government, task-force teams and workshops, technical committee meetings, and coordination groups as necessary.
Participate in CRS meetings and workshops on strategic planning, construction programming, and agency-wide initiatives as requested by supervisor.
Prepare and assist in the preparation of concept papers, project documents and other material to develop or promote the construction programming. This may include taking a supporting role in reviewing proposals and concept papers submitted by CRS’ partners and assisting them in building project proposal and implementing capacity.

Information and Co-ordination

Prepare project reports as required by CRS, relevant Government coordination bodies, external donors, and other interested parties. Provide project documents, operation plans, program schedules and budgets as required by the Technical Advisor.
For all direct reports, develop a performance management plan on an annual basis; Provide performance guidance and feedback on a regular basis.
Represent CRS in discussions or meetings with government, non-government and UN agencies as directed or agreed by the Technical Advisor. Train and brief CRS staff, stakeholders, and others on construction issues.

Qualifications:

A Degree or similar professional qualification in an Engineering discipline including Architecture, Construction Management or a related technical field is mandatory.
A minimum of five years design and/or construction experience, including a minimum of two years site supervision and contract management, plus a preferred minimum of two years experience in developing and implementing shelter or community infrastructure projects on behalf of development organizations.
Experience in community development, community mobilization, or similar self-help initiatives, and a desire to maximize integration of program delivery, is preferred.
Highly knowledgeable in appropriate construction administration systems and procedures, in particular control of works and financial management.
Familiarity with current standards and guidelines for humanitarian emergency response, including the Sphere Handbook criteria.
A proven track record in managing large teams of technical personnel.
An interest in and ability to build capacity in implementing teams, local partners and community bodies, with a focus on community participation.
Ability to work in partnership with local communities and NGOs as appropriate.
An awareness of local construction technologies and materials.
Excellent communication and negotiation skills. Ability to read, analyze and interpret administrative reports, technical procedures, or government regulations.
Ability to write reports, and procedure manuals and effectively present information and respond to questions from CRS senior management.
Must be proficient in CAD and MS Office applications. (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Fluency in English (both oral and written skills).
Self-reliance and an ability to work in a challenging and demanding environment, under supervision.

Awareness, sensitivity and understanding of cross-cultural issues particularly in representing a US-based, Catholic agency.

Required Languages – Fluency in English is required. Fluency of Krio is highly desirable.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 10%.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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.

Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal:

Technical Advisor 11 – Infrastructure, Shelter & Settlement, Program Director Urban Resilience, Head of Programming, BD Specialist, Urban Malaria Technical Advisor, Local Leadership, Partnerships and Capacity Strengthening Coordinator, Region, and HQ Technical Advisors.

External:

Freetown City Council, Ministry of Land, Housing and Country Planning, Urban Resilience Consortium Partners (Action Against Hunger, CARE, Concern Worldwide, GOAL), Civil Society Organizations (CODOHSAPA, FEDURP), Community Committees (CDMC), government, donors, consultants.