Job Announcement

Livelihood 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 Livelihood Officer to join our team in Montserrado, Grand Gedeh, Grand Cape Mount, Rivercess, Gbarpolu, and Bomi counties. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of livelihood-related activities including cascading training, grant disbursement, monitoring, and providing mentorship and coaching to women entrepreneurs and women-led businesses and groups.

Job Summary:

As a Livelihood Officer, you will support the implementation of livelihood-related activities at the county level, leading livelihood capacity-building training, grant disbursement, monitoring, and business coaching and support in line with the workplan. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving its impact.

Title: Livelihood 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.
• Provide technical support to the planning, developing, and implementing 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 the formation, coordination, and capacity building of community/village savings groups, such as VSLAs, SILCs, etc., in the project communities using approved approaches, tools, and training manuals.
• Support the development of collaborations with relevant private sector actors, financial institutions, social enterprises, and digital enterprises with the program participants and project-supported businesses
• Support the planning and implementation of grant activities, including the application process, disbursements, and related capacity-building activities.
• Work 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, assess gaps in implementation, and propose and implement solutions.
• Support the documentation of successes and lessons learned and sharing the knowledge across the target project counties.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, development planning, economics, business management or related program. Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 5 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 community-driven development as well as Liberia’s local economic development ecosystem
• Proven experience incorporating climate resilience in livelihood activities
• Proven experience and ability to work with vulnerable groups in rural areas/communities in Liberia, including the training and capacity building of community-based livelihood groups
• Experience working with different stakeholders, including private sector and local government authorities/institutions
• Proven experience relevant to conducting livelihood and value chain assessments
• Digital skills including MS Office and Internet.
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of livelihood capacity development, Technical and Vocational Skill training, entrepreneurship, and business skill training with an NGO.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Required Languages – English

Travel – This role is field-based and requires 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 in leading and facilitating adult training.
• 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. It 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 Officers

Key Working Relationships

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

External: Ministry of Gender and Social Protection, Ministry of Agriculture, The World Bank Group, Implementing Partners, Local Authorities, Community Leadership

Applications:

Please send a resume/CV to LR_HR@crs.org by October 28, 2024, with the subject line “Livelihood 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.