Social Development Specialist (PIU)

About CRS

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. We welcome as a part of our people of all faiths and Secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Job Summary:

You will manage, coordinate, and monitor project activities and relationships with partners and other project stakeholders to assist the achievement of the World Bank funded Sudan Community Resilience project’s objectives advancing CRS’s work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your project management skills and knowledge of the program area will ensure delivering high-quality programming and improving the impact of this project. You will be responsible for the design, implementation and monitoring of social safeguarding and Accountability action plan of the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) under Environmental Social Management Framework (ESMF) in the project. You will provide overall technical and managerial support to the project in ensuring donor compliance related to social safeguarding and accountability.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead technical, budget management, monitoring and reporting activities under Social and Accountability Action plan of the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) as part of Environmental Social Management Framework (ESMF)in the project and through most of the project cycle - start-up, implementation and close-out - in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.

• Provide technical lead on all aspects of social risk management for Projects under ESF including labor issues, stakeholder engagement, Feedback, complaint and Response mechanism (FCRM)/Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM), etc. and support project Implementation Units (PIU) in implementing social and accountability standards. Ensure, manage and monitor compliance to applicable local environmental laws.

• Ensure application and compliance of the ESMP, ESS standards including labor and risk management, working conditions, community health and safety, chance fund procedures, stakeholder engagement and other relevant policies of the Project, through the due diligence and monitoring of activities including subprojects, to be able to manage the social and environmental performance of the Project.

• Represent the organization in PIU with World Bank, implementing partners meetings, INGO working groups, relevant local partners and key stakeholders and other relevant stakeholders in Sudan.

• Support accountability through coordinating project MEAL activities following MEAL Policy and in close coordination with CRS Sudan CP MEAL unit. Proactively identify issues, report them to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.

• Work closely with the ESS and MEAL team in the implementation of the ESMF, including supporting the grievance redress process related to social impact issues; incident management; and preparation of social safeguarding and accountability reporting requirements for the donor.

• Coordinate activities across both food security and nutrition component of the project, required for ensuring the financial, material and human resources for the quality implementation of the project. Conduct periodic budget reviews as required.

• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Complete performance management for direct reports.

• Identify staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and contribute to capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.

• Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and disseminate results. Review project documentation to ensure the activity file is complete with all required documentation and is filed according to the donor requirements.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social sciences (e.g. Anthropology, Sociology, Political Sciences, law etc.), social development or other relevant fields. Or A Bachelor's degree in similar fields with an additional two years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the master’s degree requirement.

• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in social accountability in a project, ideally in the field agriculture/agribusiness, food security, nutrition, natural resource management, livestock development for an INGO.

• Demonstrated knowledge of international standards and codes of practices in the social accountability sector. Experience in working in GBV and SEA/SH is a significant advantage.

• Experience of working in a complex context like Sudan will be a plus.

• Experience in working in complex and large grant is a plus.

• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Required Languages – English and Arabic (fluent spoken and written).

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 70% of the time in the project locations

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.

• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders. Representation abilities. Strong ability to contribute to written reports.

• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.

• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.

• Exemplary project management and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant grant management experience, especially for USG, the World Bank or other public donors, a plus.

• Staff supervision experience.

• Confirmed collaboration and successful experience working with multi-disciplinary teams.

• Strong communication and presentation skills.

• Experience working with stakeholders at various levels and strengthening community partnerships.

• Experience analyzing data and contributing to evaluation reports.

• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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.

• 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.