CRS JOB ADVERT 

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL

CRS is recruiting for 1 Position:  Zonal Coordinator Position

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 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.

Job Title: Zonal Coordinator – (Regional Representative) – Global Fund Unit

Department: Programs: Global Fund Project Unit

Reports To:        Health Program Manager – Global Fund Project Unit

Country: CRS-Sierra Leone.

Duty Location: Field based- Bombali (Regional Representative) covering five districts (Bombali, Tonkolili, Falaba, Karene, and Koinadugu)

Job Summary

As one of the leaders for the  Global Fund project Field Operations will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating, and relationship building, with all district government and non-government strategic partners in Health, Education, local councils, agriculture, and traditional leaders at all levels, and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all local project stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact.
• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely project activities implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partner.
• Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.
• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices

• Under the overall supervision of the Global Fund Project Director and directly reporting to the Program Manager, the Zonal Coordinator will serve as a team member and be responsible to support and ensure the implementation of all Global Fund NFM3 and C-19RM project activities in an assigned Zone. A Zone is made up of 3 or more districts. In particular, the Zonal Coordinator will support and monitor the implementation of IEC/BCC (Mass Media and Community Outreach) by Sub Recipients as well as the implementation of national surveys under the Global Fund grant.

Support implementation and Coordination

• Ensure objective selection of clubs when sampling.
• Coordinate with Program Manager, M & E Coordinator, and the Global Fund NFM3/C-19RM Project Director to report on barriers to implementation in the field and provide inputs to problem-solving.
• Participate in and coordinate with SRs to report progress during DHMT monthly coordination meetings.
• Actively seek to understand the main interventions being promoted by other development actors in assigned operational areas and ensure coordination.
• Compile, analyze and present zonal level information on BCC/IEC activities for reporting of program progress.
• As part of risk management, verify implementation and review SRs reports to ensure accuracy of reports and field operations.
• Consistently use recommendations from trip reports to structure partner capacity building.
• Capture and report on program challenges, major decisions, lessons learned, and best practices gathered from monthly DHMT coordination meetings.
• Provide a copy of the agreed monthly summary data as part of their report to the CRS M&E Coordinator.
• Identify and report on any gaps or weaknesses in BCC and mass media reporting and monitoring systems.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research

• Monitor Sub-Recipients (SRs) at a district level to report to the M&E officer on program implementation.
• Conduct monitoring visits to project implementation sites:
• Observe 10 School and 15 Community Health Clubs every month
• Observe outreach activities, verify supporting documentation
• Provide supportive supervision, sharing observations
• Document observations during visits and make recommendations
• Consistently conduct entry meetings prior to monitoring SRs explaining objectives
• Consistently conduct exit meetings/ debrief with key SRs staff to share and validate findings and recommendations
• Systematically ensure the timely and quality reporting by SRs in the operational areas.
• Monitor the use of standardized CRS reporting forms and suggest adaptations as required.
• Monitor and document BCC/IEC activities implemented through the media (Radio, TV, etc.)
• Support the conduct of surveys (small- and large-scale studies)

Capacity Strengthening of Sub Recipients 

• Support the development of program implementation and monitoring tools and lead the rollout of the tools in assigned districts.
• Support the Project Staff to facilitate capacity-building sessions with the SRs, especially in reporting and project implementation.

• Work closely with District Medical Officers and other key partners to ensure that BCC and outreach activities are included in the planning and management of the districts
• Ensure linkages between PHU staff and/or CHWs (or CBPs) with SHC and CHC as appropriate
• Linkages between DHMT, SRs, and other partners

Representation

• Establish strong working relationships with SRs, DHMTs, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in District Health Management coordination meetings, technical working groups, and general meetings.
• Represent the program at various levels as delegated by supervisors.

Other Specific Responsibility

• Under the overall supervision of the Global Fund Project Director and directly reporting to the Program Manager, the Zonal Coordinator will serve as a team member and responsible to support and ensure implementation of all Global Fund NFM3 and C-19RM project activities in an assigned Zone. A Zone is made up of 3 or more districts. In particular, the Zonal Coordinator will support and monitor the implementation of IEC/BCC (Mass Media and Community Outreach) by Sub Recipients as well as the implementation of national surveys under the Global Fund grant.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.

• Minimum of five years’ experience in data collection and/or capacity strengthening.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in financial statement preparation, budgeting, and grant reporting
• Experience with the Global Fund, UNAIDS, Rollback Malaria, or Stop TB a plus
• Ability to work to meet deadlines in multiple tasking environments.
• Significant field experience working with other partners

• • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, organized and detail oriented.
  • Strong analytical skills.
  • Willingness to work additional hours during critical implementation periods.

• Ability to develop effective systems considering organizational effectiveness and impact on people.

• Excellent planning skills.
• Demonstrate creative approaches to problem-solving.
• Excellent independent judgment and decision-making skills.
• Ability to effectively interview and solicit information from individuals with varying educational and socio-economic backgrounds and levels, as well as ethnic and linguistic backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and objectively maintaining the highest standards of integrity in job performance.
• Flexible and easily adaptable to change.
• Ability to work in and promote a team environment/concept.
• Strong computer skills (Excel, Word).

Required Languages – English

Travel – Expected to spend no less than 30% of the time in the field conducting monitoring visit

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory Responsibilities: Behavior Change Field Agents, CRS Partner SRs

Internal – GF Project Director, Program Manager, MEAL Manager, Grant Manager, ICT4D Officer, and Senior Project Officer

External – District Medical Officer, DHMTs, Schools, Program Sub Recipients, and Other Partners

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