Assistant Project Officer

Position Title:Assistant Project Officer
Location:Country program CRS/JWBG, Gaza Office
Reports To:Partners Relations Officer
Supervisory Responsibilities: none

Background
In October 2010, CRS began a 3-year, $18 million USAID funded project to develop Palestinian civil society, the Civic Participation Program (CPP). It will do so by first developing the institutional capacity of individual Palestinian organizations.  However, CPP also aims to have a degree of impact on the entire civil society sector in a number of ways -- by helping organizations to establish new and productive partnerships with other organizations, with Palestinian officials, and with the private sector; by supporting and helping to replicate successful examples of how citizens can get more involved in public decision making; and by supporting coalition efforts for stronger advocacy.  In doing so, CRS will work with around 100 Palestinian NGOs and offer close to 150 sub-grants.  Individual CPP Partner Relations Officers interface with sub-grantees to monitor and support implementation of CPP sub-grants.

Job Summary
Under the supervision and guidance of the Partner Relations Officer (PRO), the Assistant Project Officer (APO) is responsible for assisting project staff to ensure timely, efficient and effective administrative, organizational and technical support to sub-grantee CSOs.  The APO plays an integral role in the flow of information into, through and out of CRS.

S/He shall assist in monitoring performance of sub-grantees through regular semi-structured visits. In that respect, the APO keeps and circulates guidance, rules and supportive instructions to sub-grantees and provides answers whenever needed.

The APO is expected to contribute in enhancement of efficiency and effectiveness through timely feedback to and from sub-grantees.
Primary Responsibilities

Communication/Information Management
-Manage project document flow, especially documents from sub-grantees, sort and ensure that all communications are circulated in a timely manner
-Follow-up internally on assigned tasks with supporting departments to make sure logistical requirements for CPP activities are properly met within the applied systems.

Administrative
-Assist PRO with routine administrative duties such as filing, photocopying, and binding
-Assist with arrangements of meetings, workshops, and capacity development training courses for sub-grantees
-Arrange for and/or accompany internal and external visitors to CPP sub-grantee activities
-Other duties as assigned by PRO and within scope of general responsibilities

Technical Aspects
-Assist data quality check in coordination with PRO and M&E Coordinator
-Assist in assurance of satisfactory adherence of sub-grantees to compliance guidelines
-Assist in reviewing training plans and materials for sub-grantee’s activities
-Monitor the quality of implemented activities by sub-grantees and recommend action for quality enhancement
-Assist in coaching and capacity development for CPP sub-grantees
-Attend staff and technical meetings and incorporate their yields in CPP processes and operations in coordination with PRO, Grant management team and Finance team.

Key Working Relationships
Internal: Partner Relations Officer, Senior Partner Relations Officer, Finance Officer, Assistant Finance Officers, Grants and Compliance staff, Capacity Development staff, Local Office Departments
External: Sub-grantees, project staff from NGO network.

Qualifications

Technical/Professional
-At least two years in a comparable position, including field work and coordinating with local organizations
-Strong language skills both written and oral in English and Arabic
-Excellent communicator, written and verbal
-Ability to prioritize work
-Knowledge of and ability to troubleshoot with office equipment
-Strong computer skills in MS Office

Education
-University degree in management, development, social policy or related fields
-Significant comparable work experience will be considered in lieu of field of study

Personal Competencies
-Maintains professional demeanor in all situations, courteous, diplomatic, and punctual
-Self-motivated and able to work without close supervision
-Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
-Practices solid organizational and planning skills, and attention to details
-Exercises good judgment;
-Quick learner: agile, flexible, adaptable
-Committed to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching

Physical Requirements/Environment
The APO is based in the CRS Gaza office.
Normal office environment with occasional travel to the field and visiting partners, and travel between Gaza and West Bank

Interested candidates with relevant education and experience are encouraged to send their CV and a cover letter by email to [email protected] and must indicate the position title within the subject line of the email to which they are applying (i.e. Assistant Project Officer/CPP) no later than August 10, 2012.