This position is proposal-based and is contingent on funding and donor approval.

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.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) began working in Liberia in 1957, with a permanent Country Program Office opening in 1990, supporting relief and development operations in the country. CRS Liberia has proudly maintained a strong reputation and relationship with partners and the communities we serve in the country by implementing a multi-sector program portfolio. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, health, agriculture, education, livelihoods, peacebuilding, and WASH.

Job Summary:

The Lead Livelihood Specialist will oversee the overall management of the project’s livelihood activities, including support for core training curricula development and local adaptation, training, guidance in the development of grant disbursement manual, and exploring opportunities for innovation and collaboration with private sector actors, relevant government ministries and agencies and civil society organizations. S/he will ensure that project outcomes are being achieved and that targeted beneficiaries are reached.

Title: Lead Livelihood Specialist

Location: Monrovia

Type of Role: Fixed-term contract

Reports to: Head of Programs

Specific Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of training materials and curricula for climate resilient livelihood capacity building related activities and oversee its delivery at the community level.
• Lead all technical support to the planning, development, and implementation of livelihood and local economic development strategies and activities in the target areas, including stakeholder consultations, mobilization and communication, and training and capacity building of targeted groups.
• Lead in supporting the development of collaborations with relevant private sector actors, financial institutions, social enterprises, and digital enterprises.
• Lead in supporting the planning and implementation of grant activities, including the application process and disbursements, as well as related capacity building activities.
• Coordinate with the Climate Change Specialist to ensure the mainstreaming of climate adaptation and mitigation in all livelihood activities supported by the project.
• Ensure the timely monitoring and evaluation of livelihood and local economic development activities and assess gaps in implementation and propose and implement solutions.
• Support the documentation of successes and lessons learned, and the sharing of this knowledge at the national level.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social sciences, development planning, economic development, business management or related program
• At least 15 years of relevant work experience in the field of local economic development, entrepreneurship development, or market driven livelihoods development, or relevant experience
• Have a good working knowledge of country driven development as well as Africa and or Liberia’s local economic development ecosystem.
• Proven experience incorporating climate resilience in livelihood activities.
• Proven experience working with vulnerable groups across Africa and or in rural areas/communities in Liberia, including the training and capacity building of county-based livelihood groups.
• Experience working with different stakeholders, including the private sector, CSOs, NGOs and local government authorities/institutions.
• Demonstrate excellent experience relevant to conducting livelihood and value chain assessments and analysis of national data.
• Digital skills including MS Office and Internet

Required Languages – English

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 20%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to see the big picture and the ability to make sound judgments and decisions.
• Excellent relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching/mentoring skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviours 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 fulfil 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: Lead Climate Change Specialist, Climate Change Officer, Livelihoods Officer, Community Based Agents (Livelihoods)

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Lead Service Provider Manager, Lead Gender Specialist, Lead Social Safeguarding Specialist, Lead Management Information System Specialist, Lead Procurement Specialist, Lead Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Lead Climate Change Specialist, Other Project Staff.

External: Ministry of Gender and Social Protection, Ministry of Agriculture, and other agricultural and gender stakeholders in-country, Local Implementing Partners, Private Sector Actors (Commercial Banks, Cooperatives, etc), Donor Partners.

Applications:

Please send a resume/CV to LR_HR@crs.org by April 4, 2024, with the subject line “Lead Livelihood Specialist” 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.