Job Announcement

Climate Change Officer

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 emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

The Government of Liberia, through the Liberian Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MGCSP) is implementing the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP) (P173677) with financing from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group. The LWEP aims to improve social and livelihood services for women and girls in targeted communities, foster positive social norms, and strengthen the government’s capacity to advance women and girls’ empowerment through a “whole community” approach targeting multiple actors and levels. The World Bank views this project as creating a platform for the empowerment of women where policy dialogue happens, evidence of what works is produced and disseminated, and partnerships are strengthened. The project will be implemented by the Liberian Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MGCSP). Catholic Relief Services is a member of a consortium that has been awarded the contract of Lead Service Provider for components 1,2 & 3 of this project under the supervision of the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the MGCSP. Catholic Relief Services is leading the implementation of component 3 of the project. We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Climate Change Officer to join our team. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in coordinating climate-resilient strategies, approaches, training, and capacity building at the field level per the grant work plan.

Job Summary:

As a Climate Change Officer, you will support the implementation of climate change-related programming in the assigned County including cascading capacity-building training, knowledge management and documentation, monitoring, and mentoring rural women and girls and women-led organizations/businesses. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving its impact.

Title: Climate Change Officer

Location: Field Based (Montserrado and Gbarpolu counties)

Type of Role: Fixed-Term Contract

Reports to: Lead Livelihood Specialist

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in developing training materials and curricula for climate-resilient livelihood capacity-building related activities and oversee their delivery at the community level
• Lead training sessions on climate change-related topics for project staff, CBAs, and community focal points
• Develop communication and information materials for communicating climate change, and oversee work by Community-Based Agents (CBAs) and community focal points on climate change awareness raising
• Develop a system to screen all livelihood subgrants to ensure that all investments are climate resilient and support adaptation and mitigation
• Ensure the mainstreaming of climate adaptation and mitigation in all livelihood activities supported by the project, per the latest data on climate change projections and scenarios for the target areas; ensure that this is mainstreamed in all relevant project guidelines, manuals, and documents
• Liaise with relevant climate change actors and stakeholders and identify opportunities and develop partnerships with the private sector and civil society around fostering solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the project’s livelihood activities
• Propose climate change-related indicators for tracking progress, and support the documentation of successes and lessons learned, and the sharing of this knowledge across the target project counties
• Ensure the timely monitoring and evaluation of livelihood and local economic development activities, assess gaps in implementation, and propose and implement solutions

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in climate change, sustainable development, Agriculture, Agribusiness, environmental management, natural sciences, development planning, or related program
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in the field of climate change adaptation and mitigation in livelihood development or community-driven development programs within non-governmental organizations.
• Have a good working knowledge of climate change policies, approaches, and activities in Liberia
• Proven experience incorporating climate resilience in livelihood activities
• Proven experience and ability to work with vulnerable groups in rural areas/communities in Liberia, including in conducting training and mentoring community-based livelihood groups
• Experience working with different stakeholders, including private sector and local government authorities/institutions
• Proven experience relevant to conducting climate change screenings and awareness-raising
• Digital skills including MS Office and Internet

Required Languages – English

Travel – This position is field-based and will require frequent travel to project communities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with the 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 detail, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Experience working with partners, participatory action planning, and community engagement.
• Staff supervision experience is a plus.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

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 are 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 look 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 enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Community-Based Agents

Key Working Relationships

Internal: LSP Manager, Lead Gender Specialist, Lead Livelihood Specialist, Lead Climate Change Specialist, County Coordinator, Livelihood Officer, M&E Officer, BFM/CE Officer, Operations Officer, Finance Officer.

External: Ministry of Gender and Social Protection, Ministry of Agriculture, The World Bank Group, Implementing Partners, Local Government, and Project community leadership.

Applications:

Please send a resume/CV to LR_HR@crs.org by October 28, 2024, with the subject line “Climate Change Officer)”

No phone calls. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity; however, if you don’t hear from us after two months of the vacancy deadline, kindly note that your application was not successful.

CRS follows an equal opportunity policy and actively encourages diversity welcoming applications from all especially women and people living with a disability.

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 behaviours related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

***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.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

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.