Senior Project Officer – WASH (Marsabit)

Marsabit,  Kenya (On-site)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reports To:                       Program Manager – WASH (Nawiri Project)

Length of Contract:         18 months (until September 30, 2025)

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Catholic Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. 

CRS is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity, race or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners, including the Government to implement its programs.

CRS opened operations in Kenya in 1965. For over 50 years, we have worked throughout the country to implement programs in agriculture, livelihoods, health and nutrition, water, sanitation, emergency relief and peace building. We have built deep relationships with the Government of Kenya and the Catholic Church through ongoing collaboration and support.

Background:

CRS is leading the Nawiri Project, a consortium of international non-governmental organizations, local implementing partners and international/ national research institutions to implement a multi-year USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA). Our partner agencies include Isiolo and Marsabit county governments, Isiolo and Marsabit Caritas, JSI, Village Enterprise, Concern Worldwide, IBTCI, Tufts University and Kenyatta University. The overarching goal of this multi-sectoral activity is to sustainably reduce levels of Persistent Acute Malnutrition (PAM) in Marsabit and Isiolo Counties of Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). Following completion of Phase 1 (Oct. 2019 – Feb. 2022), the project is now in its implementation phase, focused on systems and institutional strengthening. An extension period means the project will now run until 2027, but with less presence over time as local actors including county governments increasingly take over.  

Job Summary: 

The Senior Project Officer – WASH will coordinate WASH related activities at the County level. He/she will facilitate the achievement of Nawiri project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all WASH activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your thorough and service-oriented approach will ensure that the project consistently applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve. 

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead the implementation of WASH activities at the county level as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding implementing 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. 
• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all local project stakeholders including county government officials and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact. 
• Represent CRS in WASH sectoral meetings with the government and other development agencies in the County.
• 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 implementing partners.

Required/Desired Foreign Language: Excellent verbal and written communication in English

Travel Required: 80% movement within the project sites in the county.

Personal Skills 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• 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.

Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory: None

Internal: Head of office, other Nawiri staff at County level, Local implementing partners 

External:  County and National Government officials, program consultants and contractors, PREG members.

QUALIFICATIONS

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering/Water Engineering/ Agricultural Engineering/Environmental Engineering/Environmental Health/Public Health from recognized university.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of WASH, food security, nutrition and/or livelihoods related activities.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in using Engineering CAD Software, EPANET, Civil 3D and other computer applications such as Arc GIS, word, excel, access, PowerPoint, etc.
• Demonstrable skills in project planning and design, drafting, calculation, Bill of Quantities preparation, and technical writing.
• Registered with a relevant professional body. 
• Experience working in Northern Kenya or other ASAL counties.
• Experience working in USAID funded projects is an added advantage.
• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.

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 enhances 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. 

What we offer:

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***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.

CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.

CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities.

CRS’ emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a baby room at the office, and flexible working hours where possible. Women and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

The protection of your personal data is important to Catholic Relief Services. By submitting your application, you consent to CRS using your personal data only for the recruitment process to have all the information and documents necessary to proceed with the recruitment, validation of your application and selection of the most suitable candidate. Your personal data will be treated confidentially. CRS will not use your personal data in any other way other than for purposes of recruitment.

ABOUT US

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. 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 is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

ABOUT THE TEAM

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.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, 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 an Equal Opportunity Employer