Project Assistant – VBT, Early Warning & Market Monitoring

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. 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, and mitigates the impact of COVID-19.

As part of CRS family, you will join the more than 5000 strong and vibrant individuals working globally to accomplish the mission of CRS. CRS/Ethiopia invites you, the qualified candidate, to apply for the following position.

Background: The Joint Emergency Operation (JEOP) is an emergency food assistance program targeting transitory food insecure households through a project participant targeting process led by the Government of Ethiopia’s (GoE) Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC). JEOP provides emergency assistance to protect their lives and livelihood where recurrent drought resulted in significant harvest loss, livestock death and price increase of essentials. The consortium is led by CRS and includes consortium partners, CARE, Food for the Hungry, Relief Society of Tigray (REST), World Vision and Organization for Relief and Development in Amhara (ORDA). CRS also works through local implementing partners Hararghe and Meki Catholic Secretariat (HCS and MCS).

Job Title:                        Project Assistant – VBT, Early Warning & Market Monitoring

Band:                              IV (4)

Required number:        One

Department:                 JEOP, Program Quality Unit

Employment Term:      Definite Term (Till April 27, 2027)

Reports To:                   Senior Project officer- Early Warning and Disaster Risk Reduction

Country/Location:       CRS Ethiopia/Addis Ababa

Job Summary:

You will work with the Early warning team in CRS and partners to ensuring quality of data collected in context monitoring, and Vulnerability Based Targeting (VBT) towards contributing to the JEOP’s activities in early warning system, market monitoring and vulnerability-based targeting. You will provide consistent and high-quality service and contribute to the proper stewardship of project resources to help ensure operational effectiveness in provision of high-quality programming. When providing your technical backup and support in these specific areas, you are expected to comply with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to CRS country program team and JEOP team to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your skill, knowledge, and support will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive, and innovative CRS’ programming is across the globe.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the development, testing, and roll-out of an early warning and action methodology, guidance, tools, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) .
• Support the monitoring and analysis of potential crisis (conflicts and disasters)-related events and developments.
• Ensure up-to-date maintenance of early warning, market and targeting information.
• Compile reports, perform data verification and documentation pertaining to Vulnerability based targeting, EWS and any assigned activities.
• Support data analysis and dissemination activities as required.
• Participate in meeting and write and document meeting minutes.
• Provide field level support to CRS and partner staffs as needed.
• Assist and support the coordination and implementation of any assigned project activities as per CRS program quality principles and standards.
• Conduct random visits to kebeles and woredas to see targeting process, ensure process comply with vulnerability-based targeting guidelines, and provide requested support to partners in a timely, quality manner.
• Participate in national, zonal and woreda level multi-agency need assessments activities as required.
• Ensure targeting related complaints and feedback received through FCRM system are documented.
• Ensure the cross-cutting themes (gender, protection, safeguarding, environment, disability inclusion) are mainstreamed and implemented in the market assessment and surveys and wider EWS activities at field level.
• Support in process monitoring of VBT and also post VBT monitoring activities.
• Prepare transactional documents in support of JEOP EW operations processes and support, facilitate and coordinate transaction processing (e.g., prepare RFGS, payment requests, travel authorizations, travel advances, procurement etc.).
•  Support travel and logistics arrangements for JEOP EW staff, and visitors. Schedule and coordinate appointments. Provide logistical and communication support to event planning activities (e.g., organizing capacity building to partners, assisting in trainings and quarterly field visits, participate in field trips, coordinate with partners and trainers on events).

Education and Experience

• First degree or college diploma in related Social or Natural science field of studies.
• At least 2 year of relevant work experience for BA degree or 6 years for Diploma.
• Experience working in an office environment, with local or INGOs.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks, data collection platforms
• Excellent computer skills including in typing/word processing, data entry into online databases and forms and working with various equipment.

Personal Skills

• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners.
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Good time management skills with ability to work on multiple tasks.
• Strong customer service orientation with good communication and interpersonal skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results oriented.

 Required/Desired Foreign Language: English

Travel Required: 40%

 Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: none

Internal: JEOP team, Early warning team, other CP early warning/resilience staff (ICT4D, RFSA, other departments),

External:  JEOP consortium members and church partners, UN stakeholders (OCHA, WFP), NDRMC, other humanitarian stakeholders and GoE sector office at different levels.

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.

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