Project Coordinator – Hoima

Title: Project Coordinator
Department: Programs
Report to: Implementation Lead
Duration: Full time
Job Location: Hoima/Uganda
Vacancies: One (1)

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.
CRS has been working in Uganda since 1965 and has a vibrant portfolio of projects, serving over a million vulnerable Ugandans and refugees each year through the Country Program 2030 Strategy. CRS programs in Uganda currently support five strategic priority areas, including Health and Social Services Systems Strengthening, Resilient Food Systems, Emergency Preparedness and Management, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Local Leadership. CRS Uganda implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including international and local NGOs, Ugandan government departments and ministries, the Catholic Church, and community-based organizations for maximum impact and sustainability. CRS Uganda employs around 150 staff and has its main office in Kampala, with sub-offices in Yumbe, Kyangwali, Kasese and Hoima.

Background
CRS is preparing to implement a new project titled Intensive Mixed Use Agroforestry Systems on household Plots. The specific objective of the project is to increase uptake of agroforestry in refugee host communities in 19 target districts. The key to achieving the objective is to understand the motivation of smallholder farmers in the target districts, and to instill a demand for mixed-use agroforestry uptake from the household level. By placing the household at the center of the project strategy and by connecting both environmental and economic goals, CRS and partners will facilitate the acceleration of land restoration and increase community resilience in the target districts for generations to come.

Job Summary:
As the lead for the Intensive Mixed Use Agroforestry Systems on household plots project team, your role involves overseeing and managing all activities within the regions. You will directly supervise farmer monitors, community voice radio leads, community engagement officers, and MEAL officers at the regional level. Reporting directly to the Program Manager II at the national level, you will ensure overall coordination, work planning, and meeting the diverse capacity needs of different regions in a timely manner, avoiding conflicts in the work plan. Your responsibilities include facilitating the achievement of project objectives by coordinating and reporting on all project activities, as well as providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partners, thereby advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) efforts to assist the poor and vulnerable. Your skills in coordination and relationship management will guarantee that the project under your supervision adheres to best practices and continuously strives to enhance its impact on the beneficiaries we serve.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:
•Organize 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.
•Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating 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.
•Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all 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 processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely project activities implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partner.
•Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
•Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.
•Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices.

Basic Qualifications
•Bachelor’s degree in social work and social administration required or a degree in International Relations or in the field of agriculture, agroforestry would be a plus.
•Minimum of 8 years work experience in project support, ideally in the field of agriculture and livelihoods and for an NGO.
•Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Required Languages – Ability to speak English and any of the local languages.
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 20% within the areas of operation and to Kampala offices.

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.
•Staff supervision experience a plus.
•Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
•Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

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.

Key Working Relationships
•Supervisory: Project Officers, MEAL Officers, Agroforestry Officers, Driver, and Administrative Assistant, Office Maintenance.
•Internal: works closely with area program managers on land restoration and value chains.
•External: work closely with key stakeholders and partners.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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.

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding related topics.