Peace-building: Senior Project Officer

Job Summary:

As a lead for the Strengthening Capacities for Peace and Reconciliation project team, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and lead the implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices
• In collaboration with HCCS leadership and project officers, lead the development of a detailed implementation plan for the SCPR project and ensure that all project activities are executed in alignment with the approved plan.
• In collaboration with the HCS Program Director and HR team, support project staff in setting performance goals aligned with project expectations, provide periodic coaching and mentoring to keep performance on track, and contribute inputs to HCS on staff performance against their established goals.
• Structure and lead community dialogues, including inter‑governmental forums, women peace champion meetings, youth peace ambassador sessions, and clan elder council engagements; and provide close follow‑up, support, and monitoring to ensure effective implementation of Action Plans across all inclusive dialogue structures.
• In line with the DIP implementation plan, assign monthly roles and responsibilities to project officers and Community mobilizers, convene weekly check‑in meetings to ensure effective delivery, identify performance or operational gaps, and implement mitigation measures, including escalating administrative issues to the HCS Program Director and the Jigjiga Area Manager when necessary.
• Prepare and submit monthly cash forecasts to the HCS Program Director, coordinate with the HCS Finance team to ensure timely processing of project advances, develop TORs for project activities in line with HCS standards, and oversee the smooth processing of cash requests for all planned project activities.
• Produce high‑quality periodic updates, quarterly reports, mid‑term reports, and final project reports; collect, develop, and document best practices, success stories, and lessons learned, including conducting real‑time outcome harvesting every six weeks.
• Coordinate with CRS and HCS MEAL officers to ensure continuous learning throughout the project cycle, and facilitate monitoring visits and evaluations by CRS, government stakeholders, and donors in alignment with the MEAL plan and emerging needs.
• Identify performance gaps, plan and coordinate capacity‑building and technical support activities for project officers and community facilitators, develop performance improvement plans that translate capacity‑building efforts into measurable performance, and oversee their implementation to ensure all project activities comply with established guidelines and standards.
• Represent CRS and HCS in project‑related meetings with government stakeholders, regional networks, and other engagement platforms, while fostering and maintaining collaborative relationships with all stakeholders.
• Foster coordination and synergy between the SCPR project and other CRS and HCS interventions in the region, and contribute to cross‑sectoral learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
• Conduct periodic context analyses and monitor how emerging dynamics interact with project goals and activities; identify opportunities for adaptive decision‑making, provide timely updates to CRS and HCS, and implement approved adjustments accordingly.
• Support the development of concept notes and proposals aimed at expanding peace interventions in the Somali and Oromia regions.
• Carry out additional tasks as assigned by the supervisor, program manager, or CRS leadership.

Required Languages -Fluent in oral and written English, Amharic as well as local language (either Af’Somali or Afaan Oromo) required.

Travel -Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% to project operation areas

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
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Proven experience in project administration, planning, and implementation.
• Strong understanding of peace-building principles, conflict analysis frameworks, and reconciliation approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to document success stories, lessons learned, and best practices to support knowledge sharing and organizational learning.
• Experience in designing and facilitating workshops, seminars, and dialogue processes.
• Excellent report‑writing skills, with strong written and spoken English.
• Proficiency in Afan Oromo and/or Afe Somali is required.
• Deep knowledge of the local context, including customs, inter‑community relations, clan dynamics, and local political, social, and economic environments.
• Experience and passion for empowering and supporting youth and women, with the ability to provide effective accompaniment to ensure quality implementation of their action plans.
• Ability to engage sensitively and respectfully with diverse groups.
• Self‑motivated, proactive, and able to deliver results with minimal supervision.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Key Working Relationships:

Internal-MEL team, Safe and Dignified Programing team, Gender team, Peace Building team.

External- Partner project staff, HCS Jigjiga area manager, HCS Program Director, Governments Offices and consortium members

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related social science field.
• Minimum of two to five years’ experience in peacebuilding and/or governance programming in a non‑governmental organization; closely related experience is also considered relevant.

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• 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.

Job grade: 8

Reporting to: Technical Advisor I - Peacebuilding

Department: Program

Duty location: Jigjiga, Somali-Ethiopia

Term of Employment: Definite term (i.e. up to September 30, 2026) with possibility of extension contingent up on availability of funding and performance.

Nature of the position: This position will be a secondment based at Jigjiga with frequent travel to project site in East Hararghe zone of Oromia Region and Fafan Zone of Somali Region. While the employer is CRS Ethiopia, the incumbent will have dual reporting to both CRS and HCS (Harerghe Catholic Secretariat) - partner organization.

Eligibility: This position is for Ethiopia nationals only.

What we offer

CRS is committed to fostering a supportive and family-friendly work environment. We offer comprehensive benefits including medical and life insurance coverage, leave entitlements, and opportunities for learning, development, and career growth. CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***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' 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.

Qualified female and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.CRS is Equal Opportunity Employer!

Note: This position is for Ethiopian nationals only

Skills Required:

• Political / Science / Ir
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development