Social Cohesion Officer at Catholic Relief Services

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.

CRS’ Nigeria office is implementing a Germany government project entitled, “Stabilization and Reconciliation in the Lake Chad Region (STaR)” in the North East of Nigeria. Through programming in agriculture & livelihoods, social cohesion, community infrastructure and local governance, the project is intended to contribute to the stabilization and reconciliation in the most affected regions of the Lake Chad Basin namely Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in Nigeria, Diffa in Niger and, the Lake Region in Chad.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Social Cohesion Officer - (Nigerian Nationals Only)

Ref Id: 200000PY
Location: Adamawa
Job: Program Management
Schedule: Regular
Shift: Standard
Employee Status: Team Leader
Job Type: Full-time
Job Level: Day Job
Travel: Yes, 75 % of the Time
Supervisory Responsibilities: Social Cohesion Assistants

Job Summary

• The Social Cohesion Officer (SCO) will be responsible for peace building, conflict mitigation and re-integration activities in the STaR project.
• This position will work across all sectors and coordinate closely with other CRS colleagues to ensure that CRS activities abide by ‘Do No Harm’ principles; that CRS contributes to the repair of the social fabric; and, that CRS programming protects the rights of the most vulnerable groups.
• This position requires close interaction with community members and local governance structures. This position requires a down-to-earth, outgoing person that can quickly conceptualize and react to his / her environment.
• Personal security awareness and tactful communication is essential for the position holder’s security and CRS’ reputation.

Roles and Key Responsibilities
Project Implementation and Technical Support:

• Oversee and manage the day-to-day implementation of social cohesion activities and capacity improvements of the program (both at the administrative level and in the field), including oversight of staff under this specific component.
• Lead efforts to engage with local governments, community members, and displaced communities on constructive activities to improve local governance and service delivery, as well as advance peace-building initiatives.
• Lead coordination of CRS social cohesion activities with similar initiatives funded by other donors / implemented by government MDAs / various stakeholders.
• Lead efforts to increase community participation in local peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
• Oversee sub-grants to partners implementing Social Cohesion activities.
• Develop activities to support a stabilization-enabling environment, such as social reconciliation, trauma-healing activities, or any other activity that fosters a willingness to engage in peace building
• Design and develop research initiatives as planned and budgeted to improve understanding of social cohesion factors in Northeast Nigeria and iteratively inform implementation of STaR project.
• Identify technical support needs of partners and facilitate capacity building trainings and other supports to program partners on social accountability.
• Identify technical support needs of partners and facilitate capacity building trainings and other supports to program partners on social accountability.

Coordination and Representation:

• Under the direction of the Project Manager, represent STaR and support coordination aimed at ensuring STaR contributes to the overall delivery of CRS’ strategies.
• Work closely with other STaR and CRS staff to liaise with community members, including displaced communities to draft community led Disaster risk management plans, Local Economic Development plans incorporating peace message.
• Ensure coordination of CRS social cohesion activities with similar initiatives funded by other donors / implemented by government MDAs / various stakeholders.
• Work closely with other STaR and CRS staff to liaise with community members, including displaced communities to draft community led Disaster risk management plans, Local Economic Development plans incorporating peace message and link these plans to the government budgeting process and / or to other development initiatives including Donor funded and Government of Germany funded / GIZ-managed projects

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL):

• In coordination with the MEAL Officer, ensure timely and quality capturing of MEAL data on social cohesion project component.
• Ensure timely completion of project performance tools including detailed implementation plans (DIPs) and indicator tracking tables (ITT) as it relates to social cohesion activities and deliverables.
• Provide regular (using standardized formats) and ad hoc reporting on implementation of social cohesion activities to the STaR leadership, CRS Nigeria leadership and the donor as directed by the Program Manager.
• Contribute to ensuring accountability to project beneficiaries and local stakeholders.

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: STaR Program Manager, Social Cohesion Regional Technical Advisor, Governance Adviser, Infrastructure Manager, Governance Officer, Livelihoods Officer, MEAL Officer, SILC Officer, and Yobe Head of Office.
• External: Government ministries Departments and agencies, Local and International NGOs, coordination platforms and working groups, community leaders

Requirements
Basic Qualifications:

• Essential: Bachelor's degree in Political Sciences, Administration or relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Critical: Outgoing personality with local language skills and advanced level of intra and inter-personal communication.
• Critical: Advanced security awareness and experience in similar environment.
• Critical:  Excellent verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills in English and Hausa.
• Essential: Minimum 4 years of experience in implementation of peace building, social cohesion and governance related projects with particular experience in the North East states of Nigeria.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Good time management skills with ability to work on multiple tasks
• Excellent organization, planning and analytical skills; detail oriented
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated strength in relationship management
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented

Required Languages:

• English, Hausa.

Travel:

• 75 % to field locations in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

Personal Skills:

• Ability to work to meet deadlines in multiple tasking environments
• Self-reliance and an ability to work in a challenging and demanding environment, under supervision.
• Awareness, sensitivity and understanding of cross-cultural issues particularly in representing a US-based, Catholic agency.
• Excellent organization, planning and analytical skills; detail oriented
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated strength in relationship management

Agency-wide 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.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Important Information / Notice

• 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