Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States of’America. CRS works to save, protect and transform the lives of people in need in more than one hundred (100) countries, regardless of race, religion or nationality. The relief and development work of CRS is accomplished through’ emergency intervention, HIV control, health,’ agriculture,’education, and, microfinance and peacebuilding. CRS has been working in Cameroon since 1960. Responding to the country’s strategic needs, the first interventions aimed to reduce infant mortality and increase food security. These projects have strengthened local capacities in the areas of health care and emergency response, including,notably the Anglophone crisis in the North-West and South-West regions, the crisis in the Lake Chad basin in the Far North and the influx of refugees from the Central African Republic. In collaboration with local partners, CRS provides direct services and addresses structural barriers affecting populations living in vulnerable conditions. During the fiscal year 2023, CRS Cameroon reached and served 138,381 people in the 10 regions of Cameroon.attack on structural barriers affecting populations living in vulnerable conditions. During the fiscal year 2023, CRS Cameroon reached and served 138,381 people in the 10 regions of Cameroon.attack on structural barriers affecting populations living in vulnerable conditions. During the fiscal year 2023, CRS Cameroon reached and served 138,381 people in the 10 regions of Cameroon.
CRS is currently developing a 24-month project to improve the living conditions of refugees in the Far North of Cameroon. This project, targeting young people and women, will propose integrated interventions in agriculture, non-agricultural livelihoods and market recovery. The aim is to increase agricultural incomes, diversify assets and reduce dependence on humanitarian aid by strengthening the adaptability and economic resilience of households. Under the supervision of the Program Manager I – Subsistence Means, the/the Responsible(e) of SILC Projectsupport the implementation of SILC (Savings and Internal Lending Communities) activities – the CRS methodology for CECI – the’Epargne and Internal Credit Community. The/The incumbent will work at the community level to promote savings-based microfinance efforts, aimed at building resilience of refugee communities and economic capacity.
The position is based in the region of North Cameroon/Maroua.
Responsibilities of the position :
- Support the coordination and implementation of all project activities assigned to you, as outlined in the detailed implementation plan, in line with the principles and quality standards of the CRS programs, donor requirements and good practices.
- Plan and coordinate SILC activities in collaboration with the project team and implementation partners/sub-recipients.
- Ensure compliance with project objectives and donor requirements.
- Lead the implementation of SILC activities in collaboration with the project manager and sub-recipient coordinators and implementation partner.
- Lead the recruitment and training efforts of field officers and private service providers (PSPs), will accompany the staff of partners and SILC groups, and, progressive development and delivery to PSPs.
- Organize and facilitate training sessions for SILC groups and community facilitators.
- Provide ongoing technical support to build local microfinance capacity.
- Establish monitoring and evaluation systems to measure the progress and impact of SILC activities.
- Collect and analyze data from SILC to inform project reports and management decisions.
- Monitor and report on any identified challenges and/or gaps to guide adjustments to implementation plans and schedules.
- Complete the project documentation for the activities assigned to you. Assist in identifying information that is useful for case studies and reports on promising practices.
- Educate communities on the benefits of SILCs to build financial resilience.
- Facilitate the formation of new SILC groups and support their sustainable operation.
- Work in close collaboration with local authorities, community organizations and other stakeholders.
- Representing CRS at meetings and events related to microfinance.
- Prepare periodic reports on the progress of SILC activities.
- Document best practices, lessons learned and success stories.
Qualifications and experience:
- A graduate degree (License) in the field of statistics, finance, demography, sociology, economics, community development or related field would be a plus.
- At least 2 years of professional experience in support of projects.
Language required/desired
Excellent oral and written communication skills in French required. Master of English an asset. Knowledge of other local languages like fulfulde Mafa; Mandara or Kapsiki one more
Qualifications, knowledge and skills
- Relevant experience in grant management, especially from the United States government, is a plus.
- An experience in the field of Monitoring-Evaluation / MIAL and for an NGO is a plus.
- Good control of MS Windows and MS Office software ( Excel, Word, PowerPoint ).
- Experience in project monitoring and collection of relevant data.
- Data analysis experience
- Additional experience may replace part of the studies
Personal skills
- Strong critical thinking skills and creative problem solving with the ability to have healthy judgments.
- Strong skills in relationship management and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
- Good written and oral communication skills and ability to write reports.
- Proactive, resourceful, solution-oriented and results-oriented.
Travel needed : Be willing and able to travel up to 60% of working time**.**
NB : This job description is not’ is an exhaustive list of the skills, work, duties and responsibilities associated with the job.
How to apply
How to apply :
Application files including the cover letter and CV, 3 references and copies of supporting documents relevant to the application must be sent to the following address :
The Resident Representative
PO Box 1851, Yaounde – Cameroon or by email to : crscameroon@crs.org specifying “**Charged(e) of SILC Project “**in the line of the’object of the e-mail.
Closing date of : 25 july 2024, at 4:30
Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will not be taken into account.
This position is local and open only to people of Cameroonian nationalities
Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply and only the shortlisted(e)s(e)s will be contacted(e)s.
By applying for this position, I understand and acknowledge that this organization requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, and abuse, exploitation and trafficking in human beings. In addition, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a thorough background check and my personal references/professionals will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the agency’s safeguarding policy.
