Job Details

Job Description

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need. Since 2000 CRS Zambia has been implementing several programmes to support vulnerable communities in Zambian. Recent programming areas include nutrition, agriculture, food security, HIV/AIDS, WASH, financial inclusion, and early child development.

INTRODUCTION

CRS is implementing the Mayi & Mwana II Project in target districts to improve antenatal and postnatal health services in health facilities, improve health-seeking practices by women, and improve coordination among district and provincial teams within the MoH, thereby reducing the incidence of maternal and newborn mortality in target districts. Mayi & Mwana will continue addressing barriers to positive health outcomes for mothers and newborns in Petauke, Lusangazi, Sinda, Chipangali, and Katete districts in Eastern Province utilizing a district health system strengthening approach to improve timely access to high-quality care for pregnant women and newborns. CRS has tailored the program to specific community needs and will address supply and demand barriers to accessing quality MNCH care.

JOB SUMMARY

You will provide coordination, technical advice, guidance, and support to a wide range of program design and implementation issues for the project at District level in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your technical knowledge, advice, guidance, and coordination will contribute to ensuring effective and adaptive programming with the designated district. You will report to the Project Director and MNCH Advisor.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Coordinate all project activities in the district in close collaboration with the Project Director, MNCH Advisor, and MEAL team.
• Responsible for all project activity implementation in the district.
• In collaboration with the District Health Office, participate and contribute to data review meetings.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices at District project level that effectively engage partners, donors, and governments. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
• Provide regular technical solutions (TAs) to all project-supported sites in the district, remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and how to best apply program design and implementation standards, best practices, partnership principles, tools, and M&E, ensuring high-quality implementation.
• Contribute to capacity-strengthening initiatives for staff and supported sites through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and workshops, and mentoring and coaching to supported staff.
• Contribute to knowledge management and learning through collecting and analyzing program data, evaluating strategic projects, assisting with measuring program impact, capturing and sharing lessons learned and best practices, and research and internal reports.
• Establish and maintain relationships with peer organizations, research and other institutions at district level. Participate in forums in the area of Maternal and newborn health to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.
• Strong and collaborative relationships with facility mentors will be critical.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS :

• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Strong client service ethic and abilities
• Excellent planning, coordinating, and organizing skills
• Able to maintain confidential information
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Degree in health sciences or equivalent.
• A Degree in midwifery is an added advantage.
• Minimum of seven years of work experience in maternal and newborn health programming with progressive responsibilities,
• At least 3 years experience with NGOs
• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in Maternal and newborn health programming. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training applying adult 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), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge-sharing networks.

REQUIRED LANGUAGES

Strong English skills (preferred).
Knowledge of local languages is an added advantage.

TRAVEL REQUIRED :

• The job entails up to 70% of travel

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (SKAS)

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound judgments and decisions and offer innovative solutions.
• Strong relationship management abilities
• Good presentation and facilitation skills

AGENCY-WIDE COMPETENCES (for all CRS Staff) :

These are rooted in the mission, values and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES :

No direct supervision responsibilities

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Internal : Head of Programs, Project Director, Project Assistant Officers, Other District Coordinators, MEAL Manager, MEAL Coordinator and other CRS teams in Eastern Province
• External :    District Health Offices, Health Facility Staff, Community Leaders, Midwives Association of Zambia.

SAFEGUARDING Disclaimer Clause :

This job description is not an exhaustive list of skills, effort, duties and responsibilities associated with the position. CRS’ recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Important Note : 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.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Applicant Instructions: Please email a cover letter, and curriculum vitae which should include three references to: [email protected] . Please include the position you are applying for in the subject line.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 11th April 2025 . Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.