Senior Project Officer- Social Cohesion at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist person on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established presence in Nigeria m 2000 and currently focuses on agriculture, HIV and health extractives and governance, and peace building programming.

• Experience 3 years
• Location Borno
• City Maiduguri

Job Summary:

• You will lead the stakeholder engagement for DRIVE at the community level, under the guidance of the Program Director.
• You will supervise the CRS Social Cohesion team and provide technical mentoring and guidance to the JDPC program team in establishing and maintaining relationships with community members and local leaders in the DRIVE target communities.
• You will provide leadership and guidance to JDPC on the establishment of area-based committees (ABC) in each DRIVE community and oversee the development of capacity strengthening activities by DRIVE sector teams for ABC members.
• Your team will also support JDPC to organize and oversee the holding of monthly planning and review meetings with ABCs and DRIVE leadership.
•  In coordination with he DRR team in DRIVE, you will engage ABCs in the identification and implementation of project activities that can build long term, interdependent relationships within and across the communities.
•  Your team will also support JDPC to ensure effective integration of   social cohesion capacity building into all DRIVE sector activities, including organizing and conduct training in trauma awareness and social cohesion for community level stakeholders and DRIVE program functional groups (SILC groups, DRR committees etc.).
• In coordination with the SPO Government Liaison you will support capacity building on social cohesion and trauma awareness for BSG and LGA level stakeholders as requires.
• You will also support JDPC to facilitate engagement by the ABCs with LGA and BSG level officials in the planning, implementation and close out planning for DRIVE. This position is contingent upon the award of the grant.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Supervise and lead the CRS social cohesion team and provide training, mentoring and supportive supervision to the JDPC DRIVE team on social cohesion and community engagement.
• Support the JDPC DRIVE team in the coordination and implementation of all assigned community level engagement activities in the DRIVE communities as outlined in the DIP.
• Support the JDPC and CRS program team in DRIVE with capacity building on trauma awareness and social cohesion. Lead and implement ToT capacity building on social cohesion for field staff and community mobilizers.
• Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to sector team plans and implementation schedules.
• Assist JDPC in ensuring integration of social cohesion activities at field level into all DRIVE sector team plans and interventions.
• Lead DRIVE learning and reflection on project experiences related to community engagement.
• Support JDPC to plan and implement the setup of ABCs in DRIVE target communities, including member identification, training, and the establishment of MoUs for ABC engagement with DRIVE.
• Support the JDPC DRIVE team in the planning, organization, running and follow up of monthly ABC meetings with DRIVE leadership. Ensure that action points are documented and follow up actioned and closed within one month.
• With DRIVE sector teams in CRS and JDPC develop and implement plans for training on trauma awareness and social cohesion for community leaders and DRIVE program structures.
• In coordination with the CRS and JDPC DRIVE DRR team, work with ABCs and DRR committees to develop community projects that strengthen bonds within and between community sectors.
• Ensure that essential feedback on DRIVE from community level is shared effectively for adaptive management and decision making within the program.
• In coordination with the Government Liaison SPO, create and sustain a consistent and unified approach to stakeholder engagement, stakeholder feedback and reporting for at the community, LGA and state levels.
• Build capacity among CRS and JDPC DRIVE team on community engagement and effective communication techniques for trust and relationship building.
• Carry out any other duties as assigned by the supervisor for the implementation of the project.
• Report weekly and monthly on project progress to the Project Director.

Required Languages – English, Hausa and Kanuri are essential. Knowledge of one or more of the languages spoken in Maiduguri, such as Fulani or Shuwa Arabic is an advantage.

Travel – The post is based in Maiduguri and includes 60% travel to field locations in MMC / Jere.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Experience in implementing community-based recovery projects is essential.
• Ability to engage effectively with multiple   community level stakeholders is essential.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and mentoring skills.
• Good MEAL and reporting skills.
• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Demonstrable capacities in team working and   cross-sectoral planning and implementation.
•  Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
• Experience in managing relationships and performance with partner organizations and representing programs to   local stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to author reports and make presentations.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
•  Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams),

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience of project implementation within a consortium is an advantage.

Supervisory Responsibilities : None in CRS. Supporting ERMS And SPO Officers at JDPC

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal:  Program Director, DRR PM, SPO Government Liaison, MEAL Manager and other sector teams, Admin and Security staff in Maiduguri

External: JDPC DRIVE sector teams, DRIVE ABCs and community leaders, Ward and LGA officials,

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social science, community development, psychology, or a related subject.
• Three years’ experience in Northeast Nigeria in the implementation of community level recovery projects.
• One year’s experience in the conduct of social cohesion activities, including delivery of trauma awareness skills training at community level in Northeast Nigeria

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