Job Title: Sr. Project Officer Livelihood (Marketing and Designing)
Department/Location: Program/ Partner Centers (Quetta)
Reports To: Sr. Program Manager
Supervises: Nil
Context:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has been operating continuously in Pakistan since 1954 in disaster preparedness and emergency response, while also facilitating the transition to early recovery and development programs in shelter, water & sanitation and hygiene (WASH), livelihoods, refugee protection, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)/drought mitigation, and primary education. CRS/Pakistan supports programs in three provinces (Sindh, Baluchistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - KPK) of the country in close partnership with around 15 local non-governmental organizations. CRS maintains offices in Islamabad, Quetta and Tharparkar.
CRS Sub-office Quetta is currently implementing different development projects through local partners in District Quetta primarily for the benefits of Afghan refugees in the protection area. Information and legal assistance centers, capacity building of law enforcement authorities, education, skill development and protection (GBV) Program in Afghan communities
Primary Responsibilities:
To ensure that CRS Quetta Livelihood component of ESP (Education, Skills and Protection) project is implemented in a professional, technically sound and socially responsible manner that reflects best practices in CRS programming guidance, ensuring Program Quality and partnership principles.
The Sr. Project Officer Marketing and Designing (SPO-M&D) will Support partner for developing and implementing project relevant market research, building working relationships with local and national business community and develop marketing and business development strategies. He/she will be engaged with partner organization to assist them in production of market demand oriented products, with effective price setting and appropriate packaging of product that meets market demanded designs, colour matching.
Key Responsibilities:
- Work closely with Partner to identify/understand key marketable handicraft products and skills required for that can be promoted within the target project area and open markets (local and national)
- Analyse markets and competition for trends according to the market niche
- Work closely with Partner team to verify the training groups and clusters of trainees and skilled artisans for further project interventions
- Development of product concepts which are marketable and have an artistic aspect of fusion between traditional handicraft and modern fashion trends
- Assist Partner staff in market demand oriented products production, assisting in market demanded designs, colour matching products.
- Focus to design and support partner and beneficiaries in development of customer/buyer affordable profit making products.
- Work closely with partner to ensure the development of sustainable connection between producer and buyers.
- Support Partner in development of training manuals for training of beneficiaries in line with the trades identified.
- Provide technical support to partner in conducting capacity building and refresher trainings for targeted groups in group management, running successful cooperatives, pricing, costing, quality control, time-management, entrepreneur competencies and marketing.
- Support the trainees and design team in tracing, designing and development of the products’ range and identifying innovative methods and means of linking the skilled artisan with the market (buyers);
- Provide technical expertise, quality assurance and support to Livelihood component, ensuring they are of high quality with reliable data and outcomes.
- Support partner in development of a systematic database on the details and trades of trainees focused by the project
- Provide technical support to partner in development of product catalogues, webpage and market links development ideas to connect targeted groups with market in sustainable manner
- Assist the producers’ financial self-sufficiency in making connection and linkages development with local and national market
- Work closely with CRS MEAL section to develop and place Livelihood component MEAL plan, ensuring this links to reporting requirements
- SPO-M&D will provide support to implement quality project activities in line with the activity schedule, data collection as per set criteria and ensure quality implementation of the project activities according to proposal and project design
- Work closely with Sr. MEAL officer to in place accountability mechanisms, ensuring that the feedback is incorporated into project design and learning disseminated to the CRS management for timely responding the required changes
- Support, as needed, with monitoring the Livelihood programme implementation to ensure timely delivery of programme activities (monitoring against pro-frame and Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP).
- Update marketing collateral, brochures, and project factsheets on an ongoing basis
- Ensure the internal review process on quarterly bases related to Livelihood project by working closely with the project team and ensuring project format and quality are in compliance with CRS program quality guidance and external donor regulations
- Regular review and analyses of database for timely determination of potential issues and subsequent response over identified areas to maintain program quality and efficient service delivery
- Assist Sr. PM in review of project reports on project activities in compliance with CRS requirements and relevant donor requirements
- On Job capacity enhancement of Partner staff for effective and efficient service delivery.
- Lead on Livelihood technical assessments in coordination with CRS partner and other external agencies include business communities
- Develop innovative ways to convey the project and organizational messages to potential buyers to promote the human and social element of buying products
Program Development:
- Assist Sr. PM in exploring new, strategic programming areas with field staff, partners and other stakeholders, as appropriate
- Take the initiative in documenting lessons learnt, best practice and case studies to shape in- strategies and programme approaches, and contribute to broader sector learning
- Working with CRS Senior management to ensure that Livelihood project proposal developments follow the CRS Program Quality standards and principles and are in accordance with the regional project review process;
Partnership:
- Support the identification and institutional strengthening of CRS Quetta implementing partner.
- In coordination with PMs/POs, maintain strong partner relations
- Ensure that all project staff and partner staff in Quetta are aware of CRS partnership principles and have participated in a partnership reflection process
Representation:
- Represent CRS in a professional and consistent manner with key stakeholders, including local authorities, local partners, UN, other NGOs, appropriate networks as and when required by HoO Quetta, CR and Director of Programming.
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfil his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
- Serves with Integrity
- Models Stewardship
- Cultivates Constructive Relationships
- Promotes Learning
MEAL Competencies
Within the agency’s MEAL Competencies Model, these are identified as key MEAL competencies related to roles and responsibilities.
- Monitoring
- Learning
- Analysis and Critical Thinking
Emergency Response:
The Sr. Project Officer Livelihood may be called upon as part of his roles and responsibilities to participate and/ or provide support in emergency response situations when and where required in consultation with their supervisor.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Head of Office, Sr. Program Manager Program Managers, program staff, Sr. Admin/HR Manager and Finance Manager.
External: Partners, Government officials, local/international NGO offices, business communities and UN agencies, donors (as per need)
Professional Skills:
- Master’s degree in relevant field or social sciences with a focus on sustainable development or a related field of expertise
- More than 4 years national and international experience in Livelihood projects.
- Demonstrated ability to provide leadership in strategic planning initiatives.
- Ability to function effectively as part of a multi-cultural team with excellent listening and capacity building skills.
- Excellent verbal and written (English) communication skills
- Experience in designing and implementing Monitoring & Evaluation tools and systems.
- Experience with institutional strengthening and partnership building.
Personal Skills:
- Excellent analytical and problem solving skills; demonstrated ability to deliver creative and participatory solutions
- Ability to motivate through example; adept at building capacity in others
- Excellent inter-personal skills; demonstrating diplomacy and tact
- Strong leadership skills; able to provide direction and vision
- Highly pro-active and self-disciplined
- Honest, encourages openness and transparency, builds trust and confidence
- Demonstrate leadership in relation to CRS policies and practice with respect to Education, code of conduct and other relevant policies and procedures
- Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling
Disclaimer Clause: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.