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, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

Background:

CRS has been working on behalf of Afghan families since 2002, with hundreds of experienced Afghan staff working in offices across the country. We provide emergency relief, inclusive education, improved agricultural techniques, and other life‐enriching services to tens of thousands of households. The country’s long conflict has left many families displaced and impoverished, but the war’s end in 2021 has opened the exciting possibility of reaching many previously inaccessible communities.

CRS is currently implementing programs in the provinces of Bamiyan, Daikundi, Ghor, Herat, and Kabul, and is exploring additional expansion. CRS maintains five (5) main offices in the country as well as several sub-offices that support the direct implementation of program activities. With over 200 staff, the Country Program is growing to meet new needs throughout the country.

Over the last several years, the drought, conflict, government transition, earthquakes, and increase in returnees from Pakistan have led to significant and urgent multisectoral needs as well as widespread food insecurity across the country. CRS anticipates scaling up its emergency response through MPCA, WASH, education, and livelihoods support in current and new target districts, with a focus in the coming months on earthquake-affected communities and returnees as well as host communities; CRS is also preparing to pilot emergency shelter interventions. CRS intends to expand and strengthen its capacity to catalyze outcomes at scale, through more intentional SBC-informed approaches, and through the engagement and coordination of other actors to influence expansion of activities, strategies, and outcomes.

CRS is seeking a qualified and well-experienced Senior Project Officer (SPO) to be based in Heart City / Adraskan district to supervise the implementation of Cash for Food in Herat province of Afghanistan. Under the supervision of the CRS Livelihood Program Manager I, the SPO will lead team leaders that include a field team responsible for delivering high-quality distribution in the targeted communities where CRS carries out cash for food. The SPO will be responsible for ensuring that programming activities are consistent with project implementation plans, and address program quality issues as they arise. The SPO will also build relationships with beneficiary communities, work closely with Shuras, facilitate coordination with local government agencies, and support the livelihood PM to monitor progress, prepare reports, and evaluate results. The SPO will work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Project Officer (PO) and MEAL Field Officer (FO) and be responsible for the timely collection and documentation of relevant project data and information for internal and external reporting purposes. The SPO will take on a leadership role over the Livelihoods team and will closely monitor team dynamics and work to build the capacity of other staff on the MEAL requirements.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

Support to Project Implementation - General

• Ensure that the Team Leaders and all field staff understand the project strategy and Emergency food security approach under the livelihood program.
• Work closely with the Team Leaders and field team to monitor cash for food Programming activities and address challenges as they arise.
• Support the Field Officer who supervises field activities to quickly resolve any social issues related to project implementation that may arise in the community
• Oversee the timely completion of high-quality project events (community assessment, data collection and community mobilization.
• Identify challenges in the implementation of project activities with the team and offer ideas for potential solutions
• Oversee the timely procurement and documentation of goods and services required by the project according to the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP), including accurate submission of purchase requests and other necessary purchasing documentation.
• Coordinate regularly scheduled field visits with the Livelihood Program Manager to offer field staff timely advice on project techniques.

Support Project Implementation – Cash for Food Security Programming

• Conduct community food security, livelihoods, modality, and market assessments at the village level in Herat under Cash for Food Programming.
• Rapid deployment to set up operations in district locations facing food insecurity.
• In collaboration with the CRS Afghanistan Cash and Livelihood PMs, utilize the Cash SoPs and Process map in planning cash for food programming
• Support the Cash Team in registration, verification, and distributions (Card, Cash/voucher/in-kind) at the village level under livelihood Programming.
• Team building and capacity strengthening for Team Leaders and Field Agents.
• Support the implementation of the Market Monitoring System.
• Attend FSAC and CVWG coordination meetings nationally and for respective districts as necessary.

Support to Project Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)  

• Support data collection and analysis for project indicators
• Contribute to quarterly and semi-annual reflections on project progress towards indicators
• Support the collection of regular monitoring data including but not limited to HH registration, community assessment, and activity tracking
• Support MEAL staff with updating the feedback mechanism database and coordinate with PMs to follow up on feedback received

Staff Supervision

• Directly supervise and build the capacity of the Team Leaders and Field Staff to develop and carry out work plans.
• Support professional development through individual coaching, reviewing staff performance management plans, and providing training as necessary.
• Provide technical assistance to field staff and beneficiaries.

Planning and Reporting

• Ability to write weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly narrative and financial reports of the project to PM
• Ability to draft weekly, monthly, and detailed implementation plans for the project activities

Teamwork and Relationships

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with project participants, community leaders, and other community members
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with CRS colleagues and promote an office atmosphere that promotes professional development
• Foster positive relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, service providers, vendors, NGOs, and other actors in the livelihood Programming and operations team.

• Afghan national with a university degree in Economy, agriculture, business& administration, and Law. Master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 4 years related work experience with an NGO or government agency, ideally in the field of food security/ emergency response project/livelihoods for an NGO and I/NGO would be a plus.
• Ability to travel to another part of the country when needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with community leaders and government representatives

• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Excellent communication and presentation skills and good judgment in problem-solving
• Strong sensitivity and respect for local cultures
• Professional manner in dealing with community members and co-workers.
• Strong listening and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to travel and stay in all project sites till completion of the required activities under the cash for food are completed.

Traveling: Must be willing and able to travel up to 90 % to CRS offices and field sites in Herat

Preferred Qualifications

• Food security programming strongly encouraged
• Cash distribution experience and cash team management
• Cash, voucher, and in-kind livelihoods programming strongly encouraged
• Knowledge of agricultural livelihoods a plus
• Experience working on water source construction projects is an advantage
• Experience working in rural communities.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneDrive, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams).

Supervisory Responsibilities: Field Officers (Team Leaders) and Field Assistants

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: Field Officers, Field Agents, CVA Program Manager, MEAL Project Officer, Heads of Office, Deputy HoP, supply chain team, finance, and TAs.

External: Project Participants, Community Leaders and other Community Members, Government Agencies, and other NGOs.

Required Languages – Excellent English reading, writing, and verbal skills; fluent Dari speaking and writing.

Travel – This position is a position that will be based in Herat/Adraskan but may travel to other offices/compounds where CRS has operations and when required.

"CRS is committed to providing daily allowances for mahrams who accompany female staff on day trips to the field, and per diem and accommodation for mahrams who accompany female staff on work-related trips that require overnight staying."

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 are used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results. 

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s 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 look 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.

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. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Protection Acknowledgment: CRS prohibits all forms of abuse and exploitation towards children and vulnerable adults. As a professional candidate, you commit to adhering to the Agency’s policy on protection, rights and dignity of children and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from abuse and exploitation as defined in CRS’ Safeguarding Policy

Submission of Applications:

Applications comprise a one-page cover letter to explain your interest and suitability for the post and your CV. Please do not attach your education documents and work certificates unless requested.

Dear Applicants!

The process of submitting a CV/Application has been changed to the online system. Therefore, interested candidates are encouraged to apply using the link provided below. Applications sent to any other email address or location will not be considered. Please ensure to rename your application file according to your name entered on the first page of the application forms.

Interested candidates can submit their applications by clicking on this link.

Please note that applications received after the closing date (i.e., July 27^th, 2024), will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for tests and interviews.