About CRS 

Catholic Relief Services is United States Based INGO. 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 are accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

CRS has been operational in Pakistan since 1954. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through program of emergency response, food security/livelihood, education, and disaster risk reduction (DRR). Currently, CRS is responding to monsoon floods in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. CRS has been working with local national partners to support government led efforts for implementation of 2022 flood response and recovery in Pakistan.

Job Summary  

The five-year Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development across Rural Sindh (PAIDAR) project, implemented by UNIDO and funded by the European Union to support the Government of Sindh (GoS) in the implementation of its Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS). Under this program, CRS partnered with UNIDO for the implementation of a 09-month integrated project named as Climate Resilient Settlement Development in Lakho Bhanbhro District Thatta." This project encompasses sectors such as access to basic infrastructures and feasibility studies for climate-resilient, green, and innovative solutions to improve post-flood infrastructure and utilities, aiming that flood affected communities having safe, resilient, and dignified living in sustainable settlements.

For this implementation, CRS is Seeking a Senior Project Officer who will be responsible for overseeing and implementing project activities, supporting implementation, and offering technical expertise to partners and project staff in improved access to climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure ensuring the provided services meet the humanitarian and recovery needs of the population. The SPO will lead efforts to establish effective monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) systems, ensuring seamless integration across project activities and adopting people-centered approaches, collaboration with local authorities and relevant stakeholders to ensure comprehensive interventions. The persons’ supervisory skills and expertise will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality programming and continuously enhancing the impact of CRS's initiatives.

Roles and Key Responsibilities: 

• Oversee and implement all project phases—start-up, implementation, and close-out—to ensure adherence to CRS program quality standards, donor requirements, and best practices. Ensure the project team uses appropriate systems and tools effectively.
• Manage team performance and well-being: Supervise, coach, and support staff development. Tailor individual development plans, contribute to recruitment, and conduct performance management for direct reports.
• Champion learning with project staff and program partner teams. Analyze and evaluate project performance data following MEAL policy. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.
• Integrate appropriate natural resource management and disaster risk reduction strategies into integrated initiatives of the project to improve the community resilience towards future shocks.
• Represent CRS Pakistan in engagements with donors, working groups, UN agencies, relevant actors and stakeholders, and local government and community stakeholders for this project.
• Evaluate staff capacity and technical assistance needs for partners, overseeing initiatives to improve project implementation quality.
• Manage and monitor financial and material resources essential for the project, ensuring efficient utilization through strategic planning and oversight.
• Assist in preparing trend analysis reports, ensure project documentation is complete and compliant with agency and donor requirements.
• Review and manage implementation procedures, policies, and guidelines.
• Assist the Program Manager in ensuring timely, appropriate expenditures and effective use of project resources.
• Support the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for improved access to climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure including WASH program areas for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Help identify, assess, and strengthen partnerships relevant to improved access to climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure and WASH interventions, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Ensure gender equality, social inclusion, and youth empowerment across all interventions.
• Ensure programming is aligned to targets and indicators contained in the project proposal and use the information from the MEAL systems and tools to improve program effectiveness and ensure the program is gender responsive.
• Coordinate project evaluations, assist project staff and partners in data collection and analysis, and collaborate on reporting.
• Actively engage with CRS staff, partners, private and public institutions, research organizations, businesses, and donors.
• Compile and share lessons learned and best practices with relevant stakeholders and working groups.
• Facilitate meetings and workshops to align activities with stakeholder expectations and organize training sessions for local authorities and village management committees.
• Offer technical assistance to ensure the successful application of new skills and technologies and monitor external factors affecting project implementation.
• Collaborate with educational and vocational institutions. Foster partnerships to enhance local capacities and adapt strategies based on external factors impacting the project.
• Lead and support in developing Standard Operating Procedures defining objectives, mapping processes, engaging stakeholders, drafting clear steps, and ensuring regular review and training.
• Lead the feasibility studies and assessments for climate-resilient, green, and innovative solutions to improve post-flood infrastructure and utilities.
• Submit comprehensive documentation, including photos and videos, showcasing before-and-after conditions of interventions to ensure accurate project reporting.
• Submit Final report of the project, supplemented by an infographic report.

Basic Qualifications 

• BSc in Civil Engineering or equivalent qualifications from a reputable University – is required. Master’s degree in social science or a related field required would be a plus.
• Minimum of five years relevant field-based experience in implementation and or supervisory role with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO and UN agencies.
• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training applying learning principles and practices.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including applying data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Autocade, Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.

Required Languages - English required. Sindhi spoken, is preferable.

Travel – The position will be based in Thatta Sindh, and must be willing and able to travel to Karachi and Islamabad and other program areas in the country where applicable. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Excellent relationship supervisory skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with stakeholders at various level and strengthening community partnerships.
• Staff supervision experience.
• Ability to contribute to the development of technical proposal, a plus.
• Experience analyzing data and contributing to evaluation reports.
• Experience using MS Windows, and MS office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

 Duration: 8 months (Possible extension)

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:

• Project Officer
• Project Engineers

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: Country Manager, HOP, HoOP, National Coordinator, H&C team, Program Managers, HR and Finance, CRS Pakistan Teams.

External:  Local Partner, SPHF, INGOs; Peer organizations (international and national); Academia, relevant Government departments/entities and Working Groups

*** 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.

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

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

Applications are considered on an ongoing basis.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.