CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through programs of emergency response, 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, basic needs and services, improved livelihoods, and other life‐enriching services to tens of thousands of households. 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, natural shocks and stresses as well as economic instability have contributed to widespread food insecurity, with over a third of Afghanistan’s population facing high levels of acute food insecurity. As of 2023, over 3 million children suffer from severe or moderate acute malnutrition, with close to one million pregnant and lactating women suffering from acute malnutrition. To respond to these critical needs, CRS is expanding its food and nutrition security programming to better meet the needs of vulnerable households, and in particular, the unique dietary needs of pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, and children under five.

As a lead for CRS’ basic needs and services project team with a focus on food security and nutrition, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities to advance CRS’ work serving the poor and vulnerable. You will coordinate and oversee the planning and implementation of field activities including cash distributions, key message dissemination, peer learning, and referrals. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices
• Oversee the implementation of integrated food security models that include peer education as a behavior change communication strategy; cash and voucher assistance designed to achieve food security and nutrition outcomes; and strengthened referrals.
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices.
• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely project activities implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews.
• Support accountability through supporting efforts to collect and analyze project data per specified mechanisms and tools. Work closely with the Program Manager and MEAL Officer to capture learning from project data.
• Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all local project stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact.

• High school diploma required; Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred. Training in health or nutrition with strong experience in community development would be a plus.
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support and community mobilization. Experience in the field of nutrition or public health, and for an NGO would be a plus.
• Experience with community mobilization and engagement; demonstrated ability to work within communities while being sensitive to gender and local customs.
• Previous experience in health behavior change for improved household nutrition is desired.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members
• Strong analytical, facilitation and coordination skills.

• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Supervisory Responsibilities: MEAL Officer, Field Officers

Key Working Relationships:  

• Internal: Basic Needs and Services Program Manager, Head of Programming, Cash Program Manager, FRAMES II Program Manager, Social and Behavior Change Senior Project Officer.
• External: Peer organizations, community leaders and community members

Required Languages – Fluency in Dari and working proficiency in English required.

Travel – This position will be based in Daikundi. Up to 50% travel to field sites and to CRS offices in Herat, Bamiyan, Ghor, and Kabul is anticipated.CRS is committed to providing daily allowances for mahram who accompany female staff on day trips to the field, and per diem and accommodation for mahram who accompany female staff on work-related trips that require overnight stays.

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

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own 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 looks 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

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., November 09^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.