About CRS

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 part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need. Since 2000 CRS Zambia has been implementing several programmes to support vulnerable Zambians. Its recent programming areas include nutrition, agriculture, food security, HIV/AIDS, WASH, financial inclusion, early child development, Climate action, and environmental protection.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Zambia working with Caritas Kasama is implementing the Vitalizing Opportunities in Circular Economy and Sustainable Solutions in Lake Tanganyika (VOICES) project to improve water quality in the basin of Lake Tanganyika through sustainable and inclusive economic practices. VOICES will support communities in Mpulungu district to increase knowledge of the potential benefits of the Circular Economy (CE) among policymakers, businesses, consumers, civil society, farmers, fishers and the general community.  Increased circularity will reduce waste, strengthen government capacity, improve livelihoods and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people, women and diverse community members, and improve the health of communities who live along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. VOICES will increase awareness of innovative approaches to community reduction of waste, improve the enabling environment for municipal waste management, increase education on CE practices and manage an innovative market systems development approach to invest in and test sustainable, scalable, profitable CE businesses that create local jobs and empower young people and women.

Job Summary

The ideal candidate will manage, coordinate, and monitor Vitalizing Opportunities in Circular Economy and Sustainable Solutions in Lake Tanganyika (VOICES) project activities undertaken to improve water quality and promote circular economic activities around the Lake Tanganyika basin in Mpulungu district. The candidate’s technical and management skills will ensure that project objectives are met in line with CRS environmental safeguard goal.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead in provision of technical expertise to VOICES project to facilitate successful implementation of the  project activities, in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, and donor requirements.
• Identify capacity and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and contribute to capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
• Oversee and ensure prudent utilization of project resources provided to partners and stakeholder
• Monitor and keep track of project activity implementation and provide timely advice where refocusing is required.
• Represent the project at partner meetings where necessary and also coordinate planning of VOICES community and stakeholder meetings
• Work with the CRS MEAL team to ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle, support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities following MEAL Policy.
• Assist with organizing periodic project performance review meetings as well as other partner meetings.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in areas of environmental management, water resources management, natural resource management , or related field.
• Minimum of 2 years work experience in environmental protection water resources management programing.
• Experience working with private sector players will be an added advantag

Required Languages – English. Knowledge of other local languages dominant in northern province is an added advantage.

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders.
• Ability to contribute to written reports.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.

Other preferred competencies

• Staff supervision experience.
• Experience working with stakeholders involved in circular economy activities.
• Experience analyzing data and contributing to evaluation reports.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Supervisory Responsibilities

The project officer will work with and supervise the project M&E officer and the project field officer under Caritas Kasama

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Project Manager, Director Agriculture and livelihoods, Procurement Manager, Finance Manager, admin Manager, Fleet Manager and MEAL Coordinator.

External: Director Caritas Kasama, Relevant government staff at district and community level, privates sector players linked to project activities.

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 Clause:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of skills, effort, duties and responsibilities associated with the position. CRS’ recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Important Note: 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer