CRS Moldova is looking for Project Officer for Beneficiary Accountability, Safeguarding, and Participation



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CRS JOB DESCRIPTION

 

 

Job Title: Project Officer for Beneficiary Accountability, Safeguarding, and Participation

Reports to:  Chief of Party

Department:  Programming

Salary Grade: 7

 

About CRS 

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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. 

About CTWWC

In Moldova, CRS is implementing Changing the Way We CareSM (CTWWC), a global initiative to promote safe, nurturing families for children from residential institutions and children at-risk of family separation.  This work involves coordination among a variety of government and non-government stakeholders at the national and raional levels to advance childcare reform and strengthen families.  CRS is also working to support the capacity strengthening and organizational development of Moldovan NGOs inclusive of training, on-the-job coaching, and accompaniment. Activities include reforming national systems of care for children and young people; supporting separated families with reunification and reintegration; developing alternative family and community-based care systems; closing harmful residential institutions; and calling for funders to divest from supporting institutions for children and young people and redirect their funding to alternatives that strengthen communities and keep families together.

Job Summary

As a member of the CRS Moldova and the CTWWC team, you will establish and manage systems to ensure the initiative is implemented in accordance with global standards regarding beneficiary and donor accountability, safeguarding, and meaningful participation of People With Lived Experience (PWLE). 

  • This work will include establishing and managing Feedback Complaint and Response Mechanisms (FCRM)and supporting decision-making and adaptive management based on feedback received.

  • This work will also include capacity strengthening of CRS staff and partners on safeguarding and providing on-the job support to CRS and partners to operationalize safeguarding standards. The guidance you provide will be in line with the legal norms of Moldova, CRS' policies, CTWWC quality principles, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to advance the delivery of high-quality and safe programming to the poor and vulnerable.

  • This work will additionally include support to PWLE - including children and youth who previously lived in residential institutions and/or benefitted from alternative care, individuals serving as foster care parents, and others with lived experience of institutionalized or alternative care – to participate meaningfully in decision-making related to care reform and to support individuals and networks of PWLE to be self-advocates.

NOTE: Candidates with previous experience operating feedback and response mechanisms, working with child protection policies, safeguarding and\or child/youth participation will be given priority, however, CRS is also open to investing in candidates who wish to develop these capacities and build a new career in this sector.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

Accountability

  • Establish and operate Feedback, Complaint and Response Mechanism (FCRM) based on preferences from key project participants (e.g. in-person consultations, WhatsApp messaging system, hotline, suggestion boxes, etc.).
  • Support development of communication materials, messages and strategies on FCRM, safeguarding and participation of PWLE with CTWWC partners, affiliates and communities.
  • Ensure that feedback, complaints, and responses are adequately captured, documented, processed, responded to, and used for decision-making in line with CRS’ standards and local legislation for data protection.
  • Provide regular updates to CRS Management on status of FCRM cases and prepare periodic reports on trends for internal and external audiences, as needed.
  • Ensure all FCRM systems established and operated are done so in accordance with Moldovan legislation on personal data protection.
  • Conduct periodic community assessments regarding feedback methods and the functioning of the FCRM, with special attention to marginalized/hard to reach populations (rural areas, people with disabilities, vulnerable families and children), to monitor effectiveness and make continuous improvements.

Safeguarding

  • Develop, adjust, and provide trainings and capacity strengthening to CRS staff and partners on safeguarding, in partnership with Safeguarding Technical Advisors.
  • Develop communication material and strategies for sharing context-specific information on safeguarding (appropriate staff conduct, reporting mechanisms, and protections) and other relevant information with communities.
  • Support targeted government, civil society, and faith community partners to develop and implement safeguarding policies and procedures in accordance with CRS, CTWWC and Moldova standards. Provide technical support and accompaniment in developing, strengthening, and managing these systems.
  • Monitor and track partners’ progress in strengthening Safeguarding systems and provide updates to stakeholders, as needed.
  • Ensure all safeguarding policies and procedures are done so in accordance with Moldovan legislation and international standards and best practices, prioritizing the best interests of the child/adult at risk.
  • Support CRS, CTWWC and partners on safeguarding on confidentiality management, inclusive of organizing support for complainants, developing TORs for understanding allegations, serving on investigation teams, and managing any reporting and follow-up on reporting per initiative requirements.
  • Serve as CRS Moldova’s Safeguarding Focal Point, participating in various communities of practice, training events, and exchanges on safeguarding and ensuring CRS Moldova and CTWWC MD are following most updated approaches.

Participation of People With Lived Experience

  • Support the CTWWC national team to identify opportunities, implement and strengthen meaningful participation across the national programme.
  • Provide training and technical support to increase understanding and best practice on participation, both within CTWWC and to external partners.
  • Collaborate with existing/partner advisory groups of PWLE, working with colleagues to ensure they have a meaningful role across the initiative.
  • Strengthen PWLE’s advocacy and communication skills, and work with colleagues to utilize opportunities for PWLE to engage in advocacy and campaigning at the national and global level.
  • Ensure that all participation work is safe, meaningful and inclusive, based on PWLE’s individual needs, wishes and strengths.
  • In collaboration with the MEAL team, ensure that PWLE are actively involved in MEAL. The Participation Specialist will also support the MEAL team to involve PWLE in the MEAL processes. Support the MEAL of the participation programme.

Basic Qualifications

  • University diploma, ideally in social work, social protection, psychology, pedagogics, or other social sciences.
  • Minimum of 2 years of work experience in social development, charity or humanitarian projects for vulnerable groups, with preference for experience working to protect and/or provide social support services to vulnerable or at-risk children and families.
  • Experience in the field of child participation; monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL); and child protection, a plus.
  • Prior experience working for a Moldovan or international NGO a plus and/or participating in volunteer community development initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to exhibit empathy and understanding
  • Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners, national and regional stakeholders, and community members
  • Attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
  • Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
  • Strong understanding and commitment to children’s rights and inclusion.
  • Empathetic, with experience of working with people who have experienced marginalization or trauma; understanding of the impact of trauma on children, young people and others with lived experience, and the importance of ensuring participation work is safe, empowering and in the best interests of those who participate.
  • Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Required Languages

Fluency in Business English as well as Romanian and Russian required.        

Travel

Must be willing and able to travel to locations in Moldova up to 10% and occasionally participate in international meetings.

 

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

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.

  • Integrity
  • Continuous Improvement & Innovation
  • Builds Relationships
  • Develops Talent
  • Strategic Mindset
  • Accountability & Stewardship

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

No supervisory responsibilities at this time.

 

Key Working Relationships

Internal: CRS Moldova country program staff, CRS and CTWWC regional and global technical advisors for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) and Safeguarding, CRS’ regional safeguarding community of practice.

 

External:  Sub-recipient partner organizations; representatives of national, regional, and local government relevant for project implementation; other partners (NGOs, faith-based organizations)

***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.

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

 

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

 

The post is subject to a criminal records check and three references prior to employment being confirmed.

How to Apply:

Please send both a CV and a Cover Letter to alma.komanovic@crs.org by 10 September 2021 12.00 (noon) (GMT+2).  Only candidates selected for next steps will be contacted. Thank you.