Catholic Relief Service (CRS) is a faith-based international development organization. CRS Ghana was established in 1958, a year after Ghana gained independence. In Ghana, CRS works with the nation’s people to tackle poverty on several fronts including improving health, nutrition, and care and support for people living with HIV; increasing access to water and sanitation; promoting agriculture to enhance food security; and increasing financial assets through Savings and Internal Lending Communities.

Job Summary

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We are motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching as we act to:

•   Promote human development by responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies; and,
•   Serve Catholics in the United States as they live their faith in solidarity with their brothers and sisters around the world.

Background:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has been working in Ghana since 1958 in Health, Agriculture, Peace Building, Water and Sanitation, Microfinance and Education programs.  A United States based Foundation has approved the CRS Ghana’s Integrated Sanitation, Hygiene and Nutrition for Education (I-SHINE) Project for a period of three years.

The I-SHINE is a three year project (January 01, 2014 to December 31, 2016)  targeting  120 schools across six districts ( three each in Northern and Upper East Regions) of Ghana with the goal of contributing to improving  the health and well-being of vulnerable children in six districts in Northern and Upper East Regions of Ghana .  I-SHINE Project will be implemented by CRS Ghana in partnership with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Ghana Education Service (GES) and the District Water and Sanitation Teams of the beneficiary District Assemblies.

Purpose

The SILC/Nutrition Specialist is to provide high-quality and effective technical support and assistance to I-SHINE project team and partners on the implementation of the Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) methodology and Nutrition activities of the integrated project. The office will provide technical support to partners for the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, progress reporting, capacity building of SILC and Nutrition activities overseeing overall achievement of program targets and objectives.

Primary Responsibilities

Work with the Project Coordinator to supervise Field officers and partners (Ghana Education Service, Ghana Health Services and the District Water and Sanitation Teams) overseeing the implementation of SILC and community-based Nutrition activities. This includes provision of technical support to Field Officers and partners for the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, progress reporting, capacity building of SILC and Nutrition activities to achieve program targets and objectives. The Specialist also maintain/enhance relationship with partners and brings to the notice of management any partnership issues that need managements’ attention.

Specifically, the Field Officer will:

•   Facilitate the implementation of SILC/Nutrition component of the I-SHINE  project activities on timely basis and Ensure sustained linkages between activities of the various intervention areas (SILC, WATSAN, Nutrition, and Education) of the program
•   Ensure effective collaboration and linkage between CRS Ghana and relevant partners including targeted decentralized government agencies at the regional and district levels
•   Facilitate the roll out of the SILC Private Service Provider Business Model as part of the overall SILC component.
•   Provide support to Nutrition/SILC Technical Advisors working closely with the I-SHINE Project team
•   Support in the compilation of  high quality and timely progress ,and annual reports with strong oversight of the nutrition/SILC components
•   Monitor and supervise mobilization and sensitization of communities on key project strategies to ensure community ownership of projects
•   Work closely with the Project Coordinator in the implementation of key project components at various levels of project implementation
•   Lead the  capacity  strengthening activities for Field Officers and partners at the Training of Trainers (ToT) levels and oversee  step down  trainings at the school  and community levels
•   Hold annual and quarterly reflection meetings with Field Officers and partners to identify challenges find solutions and adopt best-fit strategies to enhance the achievement of project objectives.
•   Document and facilitate lessons sharing within and outside of the country program deem fit by the Project Coordinator and management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Implementation and management

•   Facilitate the development of annual work plan with staff and partners and ensure its adherence at all times.
•   Work closely with GHS, GES, DAs, and all partners to implement, monitor and evaluate the SILC/Nutrition component of the I-SHINE action plan
•   Provide technical support to targeted project staff and  partners at the regional, district and community levels Facilitate the provision of technical support on Nutrition/SILC as may be required by partners
•   Facilitate the process documentation of project activities as required by the project/CRS.
•   Periodically review field activities to ensure and promote quality of service and maintain high quality standards in the implementation of the SILC/Nutrition aspects.
•   Trouble-shoot challenges and find appropriate solutions to them.

Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

•   Periodically conduct field visits to ensure and implementation plan is followed and level of activities.
•   Ensure the conduct of targeted assessments and surveys on timely basis
•   Ensure accurate data collection, processing and timely reporting on project activities
•   In collaboration with the M&E specialist, monitor I-SHINE project SILC/Nutrition activities.
•   Supervise key project staff on the M&E requirements of the project, and to ensure that the I-SHINE Project meets set goals and objectives

Key Working Relationships

•   Internal: Regional/HQ technical advisors, HoP, Health and other line managers, I-SHINE Project Coordinator, Community Mobilization Specialist, M&E Specialist, and other Field Officers
•   External: Regional/District Directors of Health and Education Services in target districts.

Note

List of responsibilities, professional and personal skills are considered indicative and not exhaustive; actual duties may differ or change depending on office and agency priorities at the time.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Advance Degree in  Nutrition, Microfinance or any other related field
•   Demonstrated supervisory ability and leadership capacity.
•   Previous fieldwork experience, working with partners and stakeholders.
•   Knowledge or understanding of microfinance SILC/ Nutrition approach.
•   Ability to work with minimum supervision.
•   Project design and proposal development skills
•   Budget planning and management
•   Team player and able to handle multiple tasks
•   Excellent communication and inter-personal skills
•   Computer skills in Microsoft (Microsoft word, excel and PowerPoint etc) office

Personal Skills:

•   Experience in training and providing technical support to partners and other officers
•   Excellent English and oral communication skills especially
•   Strong team building skills as well as  Willingness to travel in the field

Competencies

•   Set clear goals and  work  towards achieving them
•   Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders
•   Manages financial resources with integrity
•   Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning

Agency-Wide Competencies

•   Upholds a Spirit of Service and Integrity
•   Cultivates Constructive and Collegial Relationships
•   Models Principled Stewardship
•   Promotes continuous learning and innovation

Location: Tamale

How To Apply For The Job

To apply for this position, please submit your CV and letter of interest to:-

GH_jobs@global.crs.org

Closing Date: 30 September, 2014

•   Application must be saved with this format:- Application.CV.(Name).SILC/Nutrition Specialist – I-SHINE Project

•   CRS is an equal opportunity employer.

Female candidates meeting position requirements are strongly encouraged to apply Deadline for application.