Senior Project Officer (Based in Isabela)

The Restore Southeast Asia -Restoring Lands and Livelihoods in the Philippines (RESAP) Project funded by Mirova is a 5-year project aims to catalyze livelihood improvement and ecosystem restoration by empowering communities through diversified income streams and restoring degraded landscapes and ecosystem services. The project will be implemented in Isabela Province, targeting community-based organizations and indigenous people’s organizations. CRS is the lead implementing organization supporting the Global Evergreening Alliance.

** THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON DONOR FUNDING **

Job Summary: 

As RESAP Senior Project Officer, you will provide site-based support to the local partners in the implementation of the RESAP project. This position will ensure that the provincial level implementation by the local partner has sufficient resources and support necessary to tailor interventions to the specific context, and will flag issues that require special support from the RESAP Chief of Party, MEAL Manager and/or Operations Manager. This position will also provide technical knowledge to upgrade livelihoods, increase market linkages and financial access of partner CBO/IPOs. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project city 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 partner relationship ensuring partner deliverables per contract agreement are submitted, implemented on time and within scope. This includes programming, environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance and financial obligations.
• Develop, coordinate, and oversee working relationships with all local project external stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and implement project activities.
• Provide field-based technical support specific to partners and CBOs establishing robust partnerships with value chain actors. This includes participating in the selection of inclusive value chains, livelihood interventions, access to financial services, market information and establishing market linkages.
• Coordinate with the MEAL team and partner MEAL officers to ensure MEAL plan is properly implemented and learning 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. 
• 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 and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partner.
• Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.
• Ensure project reports and 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

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required. Degree in Agribusiness, Forestry, Marketing, Business Administration, Economics.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of value chain development, agroenterprise, community enterprise development, microfinancing, partner and LGU capacity strengthening, agroforestry. Experience in donor funded projects is a plus.
• At least 3 years’ experience working in coordination with local partners, with partners participatory action planning and community engagement a plus
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Required Languages – English, Tagalog, local language of project site a plus

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Training on Nature-based solutions and/or Ecosystems-based Adaptation (EbA) is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Partner management and staff supervision experience a plus.
• Knowledge of target areas (Isabela Province) a plus
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Knowledge and experience of community enterprise development a plus

 Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: RESAP project team members, CRS HoP, MEAL Program Manager, Operations Manager, Finance Manager

External: Local partner, local governments within the target watershed areas and related national government agencies (DENR, DA etc).

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

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

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.