Project Officer – Food Assistance

Job Summary  

As a member of the THRIVE project team, the Project Officer – Food Assistance will support the coordination and implementation of food assistance activities, in support of Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your thorough and service-oriented approach will ensure that the project consistently applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve. The Project Officer – Food Assistance will support the coordination and implementation of food assistance activities, including vendor coordination and support, price negotiations, redemption monitoring, and preparation of vendor payments. The role includes close field‑level coordination with community mobilizers and partners, participation in coordination meetings, support to registrations, retargeting, PDMs and other MEAL activities, as well as facilitation and interpretation during trainings and community engagements.

The Project Officer – Food Assistance will provide regular feedback to the Project Manager, collaborate closely with the Project Officer-CAT on vendor trainings, troubleshooting, and transaction reviews, and support reporting through review of partner reports and collection of human‑interest stories. Any other duties will be performed as assigned by the supervisor. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities

 Coordinate and clearly communicate food assistance activities 

• Support vendor procurement and price negotiations in collaboration with the CRS Supply Chain Management team and assist with bi‑monthly vendor payment preparation after each redemption
• Act as the focal point for field‑level coordination with community mobilizers, including daily debriefs during redemptions and regular updates to the Food Security & Livelihoods Manager.
• Support partner officers through capacity building, planning, and effective implementation of food assistance activities, including reviewing plans and reports and providing guidance.
• Participate in field‑level coordination meetings (e.g., Area Based Committee and local food security meetings) and provide facilitation and interpretation support in local languages for trainings and community engagements.
• Support Registration & Retargeting and MEAL teams with registrations, OSMs, PDMs, and other food assistance tasks as assigned by the supervisor. 

 Provide support to project vendors and food assistance key stakeholders 

• Coordinate vendor support and communication, ensure shop signs are properly displayed, and organize meetings with project vendors (including monthly meetings) to discuss distributions.
• Conduct regular vendor spot checks before and during redemptions to confirm vendor readiness and availability of quality food commodities for project participants.
• In collaboration with the CAT Officer, organize and deliver vendor trainings as required.  

 Provides feedback on project’s food assistance activities to PM

• Provide troubleshooting support and updates to the CAT Officer and share feedback on program activities with the Project Manager (PM).
• In collaboration with the CAT Officer, review vendor transactions and document good practices from project implementation related to food assistance activities. 

Reporting 

• Review partner officer reports, provide capacity building on reporting as needed, and prepare reports on project activities.
• Collect and document three human‑interest stories (with photos) from project beneficiaries, including at least one story featuring a project vendor.
• Any other task assigned by supervisor. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Proficient in using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members
•  Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
•  Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Must possess ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Capacity to work effectively with a diverse team and with stakeholders. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in community engagement in NE Nigeria.
• Understanding of the cultural, social and gender dynamics of the communities.
• Proven experience in group discussions and other participatory methods.  
• Strong ICT skills. Experience of RedRose database systems is desirable.  
• Demonstrated capacities and commitment to gender responsive programming.
• Experience of private sector engagement is desirable. 

Required Languages –    The post requires high level oral communication skills in English and Hausa.

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel about 70% of the time.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  None

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: PM, MEAL Officers, Project Officer-CAT, Feedback and Accountability Officers

External: Partner staff, Food Assistance vendors, Project participants.

Basic Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, humanities, agricultural sciences, or any other relevant equivalent degree.  
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience is required, of which at least 3 years must be in a position with similar responsibilities.

• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement. 

   

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.