Join Catholic Relief Services in Maiduguri to support economic recovery and market systems. Engage in impactful work, develop professional skills, and contribute to youth empowerment and community resilience.
About Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-government group that helps with relief and development in more than 99 countries.
CRS assists people based on their needs, no matter their religion, ethnicity, or nationality.
They work with local church and non-church partners to run their programs. Helping and strengthening these partner groups is a key part of their work in every country.
CRS came back to Nigeria in 2000 and now focuses on agriculture, HIV and health, resources and governance, and peace-building programs.
Position detail
You will help run economic recovery and market systems (ERMS) activities for the DRIVE project in CRS Maiduguri. Your job includes providing technical support and guidance to the JDPC ERMS Officers. You will work with project teams, service providers, and government groups to ensure ERMS activities meet required standards. You will be part of a team with the SPO Agriculture, SPO Livestock, other CRS sector leaders, and MEAL in DRIVE, led by the Agriculture and Livelihood PM.
Your role involves helping the JDPC team integrate all sector interventions for maximum impact on the poor and vulnerable. You will assist the JDPC ERMS team with planning, coordinating, implementing, monitoring, ensuring program quality, and reporting. You will also build capacity, facilitate, and coordinate technical aspects for the JDPC field program team.
Additionally, you will help JDPC coordinate with key local stakeholders, such as the BSG Ministries for Education and Poverty Alleviation, to deliver technical capacity building to JDPC and project participants.
This job depends on the award of the grant.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
Support Planning and Implementation: Help the JDPC team create and carry out plans for the ERMS sector.
Facilitate SILC Groups: Assist JDPC in forming, training, equipping, and monitoring Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) groups.
Vocational Training and Business Support: Aid JDPC in identifying and providing vocational training and startup business support to youth using private sector providers and government training services.
Agreements with Service Providers: Guide JDPC in identifying and forming agreements with service providers for youth training and input provision.
Market-Based Input Provision: Supervise JDPC in coordinating and implementing input provision using a market-based approach for youth trainees.
Activity Integration: Work with the JDPC ERMS team to ensure effective synergy and integration of activities across the ERMS sector.
Agriculture Activities: Support JDPC in implementing agriculture activities as per the DRIVE proposal.
Reporting and Documentation: Ensure JDPC provides accurate, complete, and timely reporting and field-level documentation of all ERMS activities.
Multi-Sector Coordination: Support coordination within CRS, JDPC, and area-based committees (ABC) for the implementation and monitoring of ERMS activities.
Context Analysis and Problem Solving: Assist JDPC in analyzing the context, identifying gaps, and solving problems in ERMS under the supervisor’s direction.
MEAL Systems Implementation: Support JDPC in implementing Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems, including participant identification, activity monitoring, and evaluation.
Performance Reporting: Help JDPC report on the performance of SILC groups and the progress of youth training and economic empowerment participants.
Systems and Tools Utilization: Enhance JDPC’s use of appropriate systems and tools throughout the project cycle, aligning with CRS program quality principles, donor requirements, and best practices.
Representation: Represent DRIVE and CRS at state-level sector-based coordination mechanisms for youth enterprise and economic strengthening.
Champion Learning: Promote learning among project staff and partner teams, analyzing and evaluating project performance data as per MEAL policy, and addressing issues through participatory processes.
Project Design and Proposal Development: Act as a key resource in project design and proposal development when needed.
Additional Duties: Perform other tasks as assigned by the supervisor for the project implementation.
Progress Reporting: Report weekly and monthly on project progress to the Agriculture and Livelihoods PM.
Requirements
Required Languages:
- Essential: English and Hausa.
- Advantageous: Knowledge of languages spoken in Maiduguri, such as Kanuri or Shuwa Arabic.
Travel:
- Based in Maiduguri.
- Requires 60% travel to field locations in MMC / Jere.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Youth Enterprise and Economic Strengthening: Experience in implementing activities related to youth enterprise and economic strengthening is essential.
Facilitation and Mentoring: Strong skills in facilitation and mentoring.
MEAL and Reporting: Good skills in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) and reporting.
Engagement and Relationship Management: Ability to engage with government stakeholders at various levels and manage relationships effectively.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with sound judgment.
Teamwork and Planning: Demonstrable abilities in team working and cross-sectoral planning and implementation.
Cultural Diversity: Strong relationship management skills and ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
Partner Relationships: Experience in managing relationships and performance with partner organizations and representing programs to local stakeholders.
Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to author reports and make presentations.
Proactivity and Results Orientation: Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
Technical Skills: Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, and information management systems.
Preferred Qualifications:
Early Recovery Livelihood Programming: Experience in implementing early recovery livelihood programming.
Technical Proposals: Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.
Digital Tools: Experience using CommCare and Power BI is an advantage.
Market-Based Mechanisms and CVA Modalities: Experience using market-based mechanisms and Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) modalities, including the RedRose platform, for youth enterprise and economic strengthening activities is desirable.
Community Savings Groups: Practical hands-on experience working with community savings groups.
Benefits
Professional Development:
- Gain experience in implementing and managing economic recovery and market systems (ERMS) activities.
- Enhance your skills in facilitation, mentoring, and capacity building.
- Develop expertise in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems.
- Opportunity to contribute to the development of technical proposals and project designs.
Impactful Work:
- Directly contribute to the improvement of livelihoods for vulnerable communities.
- Play a key role in youth empowerment by supporting vocational training and business startup initiatives.
- Engage in meaningful work that helps reduce poverty and improve economic stability in conflict-affected regions.
Diverse Experience:
- Work with a wide range of stakeholders, including local government, private sector providers, and community groups.
- Gain experience in cross-sectoral planning and implementation, working alongside agriculture, livestock, and other sector leads.
- Exposure to using market-based approaches and Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) modalities for economic strengthening.
Networking Opportunities:
- Build strong relationships with local and international partners, including government institutions, NGOs, and community organizations.
- Represent CRS and the DRIVE project at state-level coordination mechanisms, enhancing your professional network.
Cultural Enrichment:
- Work in a culturally diverse environment, engaging with local languages and traditions.
- Opportunity to develop language skills in Hausa and potentially Kanuri or Shuwa Arabic.
Travel Experience:
- Significant travel within Borno State, providing insights into different community needs and contexts.
- Experience working in various field locations, enhancing your adaptability and fieldwork skills.
Contribution to Peacebuilding:
- Support peace-building efforts by promoting economic stability and social cohesion through livelihood programs.
- Help address the root causes of conflict by providing economic opportunities and reducing vulnerability.
Team Collaboration:
- Work as part of a collaborative team, sharing knowledge and learning from experienced professionals.
- Engage in a supportive work environment that values teamwork and collective problem-solving.
Innovation and Learning:
- Champion learning and innovation within the project, using data and participatory processes to improve implementation.
- Opportunity to use advanced tools and systems such as CommCare, Power BI, and the RedRose platform.
Job Satisfaction:
- Experience the fulfillment of contributing to a reputable international NGO’s mission.
- Be part of a team that is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of the poor and vulnerable.
How to Apply
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