About CRS

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For nearly 60 years, CRS has taken the lead in responding to natural and man-made disasters affecting Ethiopia's most vulnerable communities. Moving beyond emergency response, CRS' disaster mitigation and recovery projects in drought and flood-prone areas have rebuilt individual and community assets through non-food aid in the form of agriculture, livestock, health, nutrition, and water and sanitation assistance. CRS's humanitarian work in Ethiopia also provides livelihoods support to farmers and entrepreneurs, promotes equality and inclusion.

Job Title: Youth Senior Project Officer 

Band: VIII (8)

Required number: One

Department: JEOP Program Quality

Employment Term: Definite Term (i.e. till April 30, 2027)

Reports To: Disability inclusion and youth-TA

Country/Location: CRS Ethiopia/Addis Ababa

Job Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Technical Advisor- Disability Inclusion and youth, the job holder provides support on a range of program design and implementation related to youth and inclusion in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. He/she will assist CRS country program and JEOP team in our effort to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable and provide technical and professional advice to improve effectiveness, adaptability, and innovation across CRS’ programming.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure increased youth engagement in JEOP 2.0 activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, USAID requirements, and good practices.

• Provide technical support to JEOP staff/ partners in applying positive youth development, youth workforce development and youth employment in JEOP operations.

• Support and collaborate with JEOP’s youth engagement research team to ensure efficient assessment process and result that guides effective youth engagement framework and recommendation for JEOP 2.0.  

• Develop training manuals, guidelines, and provide youth and disability inclusive trainings in collaboration with JEOP cross cutting team.

• Provide dynamic support and team coordination to JEOP’s youth and inclusion activities, through supporting integration, empowerment, and capacity building to implement and monitor youth engagement and disability inclusive programming.

• Assist the Technical Advisor to coordinate working relationships with JEOP partners and local project stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact.

• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various JEOP processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely youth and disability inclusive project activities implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures.

• Support JEOP’s MEAL team to include youth perspective in research, mid-term and end line evaluations and ensure sex, age and disability disaggregated indicators into the MEAL framework.

• Support accountability through coordinating youth engagement and disability inclusive project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.

• Closely work with CRS Social Behavioral Change team to develop comprehensive behavioral change strategies and plans around youth engagement on JEOP with a Do No Harm lens.

• Ensure project documentation for JEOP youth and disability inclusive activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and USAID requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and good practices.

• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners. 

Job Requirements

Education and Experience

•  BA Degree or MA Degree in Social Work, Sociology, International Relations, development studies and Public Health.

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience with bachelor’s degree or 3 years of experience with master’s degree is required leading Youth related programing.  

• Knowledge and experience of technical principles and concepts in Youth engagement and disability inclusion.

• Demonstrated skills in all areas of Youth programing and knowledge management related to emergency programing.

• General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.

• Ability to draft reports, communications materials, detailed implementation plans.

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.

• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and youth.

• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.

 Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with youth, people with disabilities, partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.

• Experience monitoring projects and data collection for youth engagement.

 Required Languages - Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Amharic. Other Ethiopian national languages is a plus.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 25-50 % by road and air across JEOP operational areas.

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 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 looks 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: none

 Key Working Relationships:

Internal: JEOP technical team leads; CRS Ethiopia Country Program staff line department managers; Regional Technical Advisors and managers.

External: EOP Consortium members, local government stakeholders and communities, peer organizations and, representatives from for-profit and other non-profit, operating in JEOP woredas.

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

How to Apply

You should fill the application form through THIS LINK and attach your up-to-date CV on / before the application deadline January 21, 2024. You will be contacted only if selected for written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted. These job opportunities are open to Ethiopian nationals only.

***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. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.   

What we offer: 

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world. 

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

Equal Opportunity Employer