Project Officer - BRIGHT Shea

Job Summary:

The Project Officer will support implementation of BRIGHT Shea Project activities by working with women shea producers, cooperatives, youth-led enterprises, community institutions, and local partners to strengthen sustainable livelihoods and inclusive market systems. The role will promote improved production, post-harvest handling, aggregation, processing, value addition, and business management practices to enhance productivity, product quality, and market competitiveness. The Project Officer will also coordinate trainings, demonstrations, exchange visits, community engagements, and technical support, while ensuring accurate project documentation and reporting in line with CRS and donor requirements.

The Project Officer will coordinate and report on project activities, provide technical guidance to staff and implementing partners, and support the effective delivery of CRS’ work with poor and vulnerable communities.

The position reports to the Project Manager, BRIGHT Shea Project, and will be based in the project location with frequent travel to project communities.

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.
• Coordinate field-level implementation of project activities by supporting women shea producers, cooperatives, youth entrepreneurs, and community institutions in adopting improved production, post-harvest handling, aggregation, processing, and business management practices.
• Facilitate capacity strengthening and stakeholder engagement through the organization of trainings, demonstrations, exchange visits, community meetings, and technical backstopping for producer groups, SILC groups, and local implementing partners.
• Support market systems development and private sector engagement by facilitating market linkages, strengthening cooperative governance, promoting access to financial services, coordinating buyer–seller engagements, and supporting value addition and enterprise development initiatives.
• Support monitoring, reporting, and knowledge management by collecting project data, tracking performance indicators, documenting lessons learned and success stories, preparing technical reports, and contributing to adaptive management, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements.
• Assist with preparation of annual reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices.

Required Languages - Proficient in English Language.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 25% of her/his time.

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 monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
• Experience in the field of agriculture and livelihoods projects and for an NGO would be a plus.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Internal: Agric Technical Advisor, Agric Program Director, Head of Programming, Snr Project MEAL Officer, Grant Manager, and Snr Project Officers.

External: Field Agents, local partner management and project officers, other consortium member staff located in the region, District stakeholders, and other local and international partner organizations

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Environmental Science, Development studies or Social Sciences required. Master’s degree in agriculture (Economics, Extension, Agribusiness), Natural Resource Management or in the social sciences would be a plus.
• Minimum of 3 years of work experience in project support or in the field of Agriculture, Climate change projects in NGO settings.

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.

What we offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role. CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. 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 safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

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.

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.