Project Officer – Accountability & Learning (Marsabit) at Catholic Relief Services

Reports to: Technical Advisor – Accountability & Learning (Nawiri Project)
Length of Contract: Appx. 2.5 years (until 30th September 2024)
About CRS:
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 resilience building, emergency response, HIV, health and nutrition, agriculture, education, micro-finance and peacebuilding, including through multi-sectoral programming.
CRS is leading a consortium of international non-governmental organizations, local implementing partners and international/ national research institutions to implement a five-year USAID Bureau for Humanitaria n Assistance (BHA) Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) called Nawiri. The overarching goal of this multi-sectoral activity is to sustainably reduce levels of persistent acute malnutrition in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), focusing on Isiolo and Marsabit counties. Started in October 2019, the activity is being implemented in two phases and currently (January 2022) moving into Phase II as below:

• Phase I (October 2019 – September 2021) Research, test approaches and collaboratively design a context-sensitive, multi-sectoral activity that sustainably reduces acute malnutrition
• Phase II (October 2021 – September 2024): Activity Implementation and System and Institutional Strengthening

Job Summary:
The Project Officer – Accountability and Learning (A&L) will provide day to day accountability and learning support to a range of Nawiri stakeholders across and beyond consortium teams, including project design and Nawiri implementation issues, in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines and industry good practice, to help advance the delivery of responsive, high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. S/he will ensure that the project consistently applies strong accountability systems and guidelines that enable effective listening to and understanding of the diverse needs of the women and men, girls, boys and vulnerable groups we serve, to help ensure that those perspectives and needs are reflected in Nawiri’s decision-making processes and interventions. S/he will facilitate the effective analysis and use of emerging information and support the development and institutionalization of informat ion and knowledge products, to continually improve the quality of CRS Nawiri work and maximize responsiveness to those we serve.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Play a leadership role in embedding and supporting a culture of learning and adaptation across Nawiri (includes county) initiatives and teams at county level, on an ongoing basis.
• Active engagement in multiple consortium initiatives in Marsabit County, across sectors, through trusting relationships established with key actor networks. Use of these platforms to expand and promote a culture of accountability, learning and adaptation at county level across teams, to support the institutionalization of Nawiri’s Adaptive Learning Strategy.
• Promote a culture of accountability within the consortium through strengthening Nawiri team capacity on the harmonized Feedback, Complaints, Response Mechanism (FCRM) and supporting its integration in all Nawiri initiatives.
• In close liaison with Nawiri MEAL teams at county level, support compliance with consortium, agency and donor A&L policies, procedures, processes and requirements, including operationalization of the MEAL Plan and associated action plans (e.g., the Detailed Implementation Plan).
• In close collaboration with Marsabit Directorate of Civic Education & Public Participation (CEPP), support strengthening the capacity of Multisectoral Platform for Nutrition (MSP-N) members (County & Sub-County) and others, to strengthen a culture of accountability. Includes raising awareness on CRS accountability and learning policies and procedures and Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP) standards.
• Play a leadership role at county level to strengthen the timely and consistent use of emerging learning from various sources, including field and M&E activities, through co-facilitation and support for routine and periodic Pause & Reflect (P&R) sessions.
• Support tracking Nawiri’s progress/ uptake of A&L through multiple approaches, e.g., by facilitating Collaboration Learning & Adaptation (CLA) self-assessments, satisfaction surveys to elicit community/ participant perspectives on Nawiri FCRMs, process monitoring, updating/ monitoring Nawiri’s learning & adaptation trackers and others as guided.
• Share significant A&L findings with Nawiri and MEAL teams on a timely basis, as guided, to support project responsiveness and continuous quality improvement and adaptation based on learning.
• Contribute to the documentation of A&L initiatives including consortium & donor reports, case studies, learning briefs and activity reports etc., as requested.
• Facilitate the engagement of MSP-N members (County & Sub-County), consortium partners and other key actors in processes to identify, document and share Nawiri achievements, lessons learned, success stories and good/ best practices.
• Help identify significant learning & adaptations that can be leveraged for routine planning, publications and shared internally and externally for learning purposes.
• Support in ensuring continuous, transparent communication and engagement with Nawiri participants and other relevant stakeholders on Nawiri progress.
• Participate in A&L-related county forums including MSP-N meetings, M&E TWG meetings and accountability forums.
• Help guide and support quality data gathering, management and analysis, as requested/ guided.
• Remain flexible and open to taking on new responsibilities as Nawiri unfolds and progresses, especially as requested/ guided by the Technical Learning Advisor and Strategic Learning Lead.
• Support and enhance Nawiri Knowledge Management processes and products as guided, to continually improve the quality of Nawiri A&L related work and outputs.

Required Languages: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Knowledge of any ASAL languages an advantage.
Travel Required: Must be willing to travel in the field up to 50% of time.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong team player, with significant experience working in collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgments.
• Strong interpersonal-communication and relationship management skills, seen in the ability to work closely with local partners, county governments and community members.
• Attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
• Proven leadership competencies and experience, including the ability to take initiative.
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented.
• Strong facilitation, presentation, training and mentoring skills and experience.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience:

• Professional training on accountability, protection and/ or learning.
• Experience designing and implementing accountability and learning systems for county governments.
• Experience in participatory development and community engagement a strong advantage.
• Experience and skills in multi-stakeholder processes and partner relationship management.
• Experience using data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, STATA, EpiInfo or Nutrisurvey).
• Experience using mobile-data collection and management software (e.g., ODK, Commcare, Iform builder, Kobo) an advantage.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Technical Advisor (Accountability and Learning), Isiolo PO Accountability & Learning, Nawiri Strategic Learning Lead, Nawiri MEAL team, Marsabit County Head of Office and other technical staff.
External: Community members, county/ sub-county government staff, other local stakeholders and peer agency MEAL staff.
Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in the Social Sciences; International Development, Demography, Sociology or another MEAL-related field. Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Minimum of five years of relevant work experience in fields of Accountability and Learning, Participatory Development or Adult Learning, ideally with an international NGO working with county governments.
• Proven experience and track record of effectively facilitating multi-stakeholder forums. Related experience with government/ county officials a distinct advantage.
• Experience setting up, overseeing/ implementing and actively supporting multi-stakeholder accountability and learning systems is required.
• Experience analyzing data/ emerging learning and contributing to progress reports, including narrative reports, essential.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems, knowledge-sharing networks is required.
• Relevant experience in Kenya’s ASALs and/ or knowledge of ASAL cultures and programming contexts a distinct advantage.
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity and inclusion including gender equality.

MEAL Competencies:

• Demonstrable experience supporting the use of learning to improve programming.
• Demonstrates M&E, Accountability and Learning expertise, knowledge and skills. With guidance can apply critical thinking to ensure effective MEAL in design, learning, analysis and evaluation processes..
• Demonstrates solid knowledge and ability and can apply Monitoring, Accountability and ICT4MEAL competencies with minimal or no guidance, in a range of typical situations. Would require guidance and support to handle more complex situations.
• Experience facilitating and actively supporting MEAL related processes and products in complex programming contexts.

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

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
All applications MUST be accompanied by a CV and a Cover letter outlining your interest in and suitability for the position, and include names and contact information of three referees.
This job is open to Kenyan nationals only
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 vuln erable 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.
*By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS require s 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.*

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the 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.