Social Cohesion Assistant at Catholic Relief Services (CRS) - 2 Openings

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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Social Cohesion Assistant

Job Ref Code: SCT80119

Location: Yola, Adamawa

Band: 4

Reports To: Social Cohesion Officer – Program Manager STaR project (dotted line)

Department: Programs

Slot: 2 Openings

Project/Program Summary

CRS’ Nigeria office is implementing a 2-year, Germany government project entitled,“Stabilization and Reconciliation in the Lake Chad Region (STaR)” in the North East of Nigeria. Through programming in agriculture & livelihoods, social cohesion, community infrastructure and local governance, the project is intended to contribute to the stabilization and reconciliation in the most affected regions of the Lake Chad Basin namely Borno and Adamawa in Nigeria, Diffa in Niger and, the Lake Region in Chad.

Job Summary / Background 

• The Social Cohesion Assistant (SCA) will support the Social Cohesion Officer in the implementation of the STaR project activities which include peace building, conflict mitigation and re-integration activities.
• S/he will also supportstrengthening community traditional systems, increase social cohesion and inclusion in communities.
• This position will work across all sectors and coordinate closely with other CRS colleagues to ensure that CRS activities abide by ‘Do No Harm’ principles; that CRS contributes to the repair of the social fabric; and, that CRS programming protects the rights of the most vulnerable groups.  This position requires close interaction with community members and local governance structures.

Job Responsibilities

Key Outputs/Responsibilities:

Project Implementation and Technical Support - Weight:

• Assist in the day-to-day implementation of social cohesion activities and capacity improvements of the program (both at the administrative level and in the field), including oversight of staff under this specific component. - (70 Weight)
• Support implementation of social cohesion activities in the target communities of intervention
• Support to identify technical support needs of partners and facilitate capacity building trainings and other supports to program partners on social accountability.
• Support the efforts to engage with local governments, community members, and displaced communities on constructive activities to improve local governance and service delivery, as well as advance peace-building initiatives.
• Support coordination of CRS social cohesion activities with similar initiatives funded by other donors / implemented by government MDAs / various stakeholders.
• Support efforts to increase community participation in local peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
• With supervision of the Social Cohesion officer implementactivities to support a stabilization-enabling environment, such as social reconciliation, trauma-healing activities, or any other activity that fosters a willingness to engage in peace building.

Coordination and Representation:

• Support the social cohesion officer to effectively contribute to monitoring of cohesion activities in target communities.
• Work closely with other STaR and CRS staff to liaise with community members, including displaced communities to draft community development plans and link these plans to the government budgeting process and / or to other development initiatives including DFID funded PERL and Government of Germany funded / GIZ-managed projects - (5 Weight)

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL):

• In coordination with the MEAL Officer, ensure timely and quality capturing of MEAL data on social cohesion project component.
• Ensure timely completion of project performance tools including detailed implementation plans (DIPs) and indicator tracking tables (ITT). - (25 Weight)
• Provide regular (using standardized formats) and ad hoc reporting on implementation to the STaR leadership, CRS Nigeria leadership and the donor as directed by the Program Manager.

Background, Experience& Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Critical: Outgoing personality with local language skills and advanced level of intra and inter-personal communication.
• Critical: Advanced security awareness and experience in similar environment.
• Essential: Bachelor’s degree in Political Sciences, Administration or relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Essential: Minimum 2 years of experience in management of governance projects in developing countries.  Experience in Nigeria and particularly the North East will be a bonus.
• Essential: Demonstrated experience in designing governance trainings and establishing governance structures at both the community and government levels.
• Essential: Strong team player with the ability to take initiative and work well independently.
• Essential:  Excellent verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills in English, Hausa and Arabic.
• Added advantage: Proven experience in working closely with government MDAs in Nigeria. Thorough understanding of the Nigerian Government structure at the National, State and LGA levels.
• Added advantage: Ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
• Added advantage: Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Personal Skills:

• Ability to work to meet deadlines in multiple tasking environments
• Excellent organization, planning and analytical skills; detail oriented
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated strength in relationship management
• Travel Required 50%to field locations in Borno and Adamawa

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Governance Adviser, Infrastructure Specialist, Governance Officer, Livelihoods Officer, MEAL Officer and SILC Officer
• External: government ministries departments and agencies, local and international NGOs, coordination platforms and working groups, community leaders

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:

• Trusting Relationships
• Professional Growth
• Partnership
• Accountability

Application Closing Date

14th August, 2019. (Time: COB - i.e. 5:00pm)

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should download the "CRS Application Form" using the link below, fill and send with a detailed Resume as one document (in a PDF Format) indicating the position being applied for and the Job Ref Code as the subject of the application (e.g. Social Cohesion Assistant - Adamawa, SCT80119) to: vacancies.ne.nigeria@crs.org

Click here to Download Application Form (docx)

Click here for More Information (docx)

Note

• “CRS is an equal - opportunity employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, religion and we are committed to gender sensitive programming and management’. etc.
• Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply
• This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.