Important Note: This position is contingent upon donor approval and the signing of the project agreement.

About CRS

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, agriculture, education, and peacebuilding.

Background

CRS has been working on behalf of Afghan communities 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, Daykundi, Ghor, Herat, and Kabul, and is exploring additional expansion. CRS maintains five 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.

Project Summary

CRS is implementing the Fostering Resilience through Multi-Sector Emergency Support (FRAMES II) project in Bamyan and Daikundi, with a focus on cash for food assistance, agriculture and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) Initiatives. These activities aim to enhance community resilience through improved agricultural practices and the rehabilitation of critical WASH infrastructure to ensure better access to safe water.

In line with our expansion plan, CRS is looking to extend this project to Herat upon securing anticipated additional. The project expansion is anticipated to span 12 months, and include food assistance, and shelter components to support households affected by earthquake and floods in Herat. The project aims to provide emergency support to these households, assisting their recovery from recent crises, and fostering resilience-building efforts.

CRS is seeking qualified and experienced Project Officers (Senior Engineers) to oversee the implementation of an emergency shelter project for vulnerable families in the target districts of Herat. Under the supervision of the Senior Project Officer (SPO), the Project Officer will support the coordination and integration of emergency shelter activities with the WASH initiatives of partner organizations within the FRAMES II consortium. The Project Officer will frequently travel to project locations to lead the design, planning, implementation, supervision, and monitoring of emergency shelters. These tasks will be carried out in collaboration with the SPO, field team, and foremen.

The Project Officer will work closely with both external and internal stakeholders, including local government departments, partner organizations within the consortium, targeted and non-targeted communities, Technical Advisors, the SPO, Program Manager, field staff, and support staff.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare BOQs and drawings for all facilities/infrastructure to be implemented in the targeted areas.
• Oversee the implementation of all activities in line with the project work plans, and technical designs.
• Monitor and supervise shelter activities and ensure effective implementation.
• Maintain material records at implementation sites and ensure quality of all material arrived on all sites.
• Providing field-level oversight of protection and safeguarding risks associated with shelter programming, and escalating any concerns according to CRS Safeguarding Policy
• Work with the target HHs to ensure that they have the support they need (labor, market access, technical support) to complete the shelter work with high quality.
• Identify project supplies needs, prepare procurement plans and requisitions and coordinate with operation team to ensure materials arrive timely to work site.
• Work with community leaders to ensure all community members are participating in all skilled and unskilled activities.
• Ensure all activities are well coordinated with local authorities and all stakeholders.
• Visit project sites regularly to supervise and monitor all shelter activities and ensure quality of all facilities/infrastructure.

• Report data weekly to follow up on standard project and strategic indicators (number of beneficiaries, number and type of activities completed).
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and field visit reports and share them with line manager in a timely manner.

Staff Supervision

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

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
• Experience of minimum 3 years in the field of construction, ideally in the emergency shelter sectors. Experience related to engineering in a humanitarian setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of two-year experience working on emergency response and development programming with an international NGO.
• Knowledge of appropriate engineering and construction norms for Afghanistan
• Knowledge of Sphere standards for construction of transitional shelters
• Knowledge of construction materials locally available in the field
• Excellent teamwork skills and the ability to build good relations both internally and externally
• Experience in the design and delivery of training or capacity building program
• Experience in transitional shelter design skill is preferred.
• Physically able to spend the long periods of time in the field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  

• Strong technical skills in correlating drawing and specifications of works in the BoQ.
• Professional manner in dealing with community members and co-workers.
• Strong listening skills combined with excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Possess good interpersonal, communication and organizational skills.
• Strong skills in applying AutoCAD and GIS software in shelter designs.
• Possess initiative and ability to adapt and cope with pressure and challenges.
• Microsoft office 365 basic knowledge (Outlook 2016, Excel, Word, Microsoft Teams)
• Microsoft SharePoint online usage and experience
• Microsoft OneDrive usage or any other similar cloud base technology usage experience
• Basic knowledge on understanding the internet security and data privacy (phishing, Spam, Malware, Virus, Content Filtering)
• Understanding of basics on Intranet usage and protocols

Supervisory Responsibilities: 2-3 Foremen. 

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal:  Program Manager, Project Officers, Field Officers, MEAL Project Officer Head of Office, Head of Programming, Administrative/Support staff and Technical Advisors

External: Project Participants, partner’s engineering staff, Community Leaders and other Community Members, relevant working groups, other NGOs and other stakeholders.

Required Languages – Fluent English and Dari (reading, writing, listening and speaking skills); Pashto skills a plus.

Travel – The position will be based at the CRS Herat office, with up to 80% travels to project communities, and the CRS sub-offices. The position may also require occasional travel to other CRS offices in Afghanistan for workshops and trainings. 

"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):

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 

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

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., August 13^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.