Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist person on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established presence in Nigeria m 2000 and currently focuses on agriculture, HIV and health extractives and governance, and peace building programming.
Job Title: Market Officer
Job Reference Code: MONE3920
Department: North East Emergency Program
Position Band: 6
Reports To: FFP/EFSP Program Manager I
Project Background
NE Nigeria has been severely affected by insurgency led by armed opposition groups (AOGs) since 2009 and has NE Nigeria has been severely affected by insurgency led by armed opposition groups (AOGs) since 2009 and has been declared to be in a “state of emergency” since 2013. As clashes between Nigerian security forces and AOGs persist into its tenth year, over 2 million individuals remain displaced across the six Northeastern states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe. Pockets of relative stability have encouraged some households (HHs) to return to their places of origin, yet they remain vulnerable and precariously sensitive to the changing contexts. Additionally, the prolonged conflict has eroded economic and livelihood opportunities of vulnerable HHs who struggle with limited incomes and purchasing power.
Since 2016, CRS Nigeria has responded to critical WASH, shelter, food security and nutrition needs in both Yobe and Borno States, including through four phases of the USAID office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP) funded Emergency Food Assistance for Conflict Affected HHs (FFP/EFSP) project. During an anticipated 12-month fifth phase of the project,,CRS will scale-up lifesaving support to a total of 15,900 HHs, or 95,400 individuals. CRS’ goal is to improve food security for vulnerable HHs in conflict-affected areas through e-vouchers for food.
CRS is looking for a strong candidate to work as a Market Officer (MO) on the project team. She/he will be based in Damaturu (Yobe State), and will be primarily responsible for activities conducted in Kaga Local Government Area (LGA), barring significant changes in security dynamics.
Job Summary
As a member of the FFP/EFSP project team, under the leadership of the FFP/EFSP Program Manager (PM), the Market Officer (MO) is responsible for leading the execution of daily project activities in her/his geographic location, while maintaining relationships with local partner staff as well as vendors and beneficiaries. 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.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
The MO’s specific responsibilities will include the following:
Support the coordination and implementation of market team activities in line with CRS Program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices
In collaboration with Vendor Procurement/Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) officer, support the vendor selection process;
Act as the focal point for all communication with the market team daily workers;
Organize documents necessary to make regular vendor payments;
Plan market team daily workers’ activities/schedule;
Hold daily debrief with the market team daily workers;
Ensure that market team daily workers file is complete and includes;
Provide support to project vendors and key market stakeholders:
Ensure shop signs are displayed in front of each participant shop;
Coordinate all vendor support and communication;
Organize weekly meetings with market leaders;
Organize meetings with project vendors as needed;
Ensure that all vendor documentation is complete;
Carry out regular vendor spot checks;
In collaboration with the FFP/EFSP PM, collect and organize project vendor payments;
In collaboration with the MEAL Officer, carry out vendor training;
Compile a document with information on market structure and key stakeholders’ information;
Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified in project’s market activities to PM/EC in a timely manner to inform adjustments to plans, implementation schedules, and market strategies:
Provide information to the MEAL Officer on troubleshooting needs;
Provide feedback to the FFP/EFSP PM on program activities;
Contribute to elaboration and revision of SOPs for payment of project vendors;
In partnership with the MEAL officer reviews vendor transactions;
Document good practices stemming from project implementation linked to market teams activities;
Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and assisting partners to prepare reports per established reporting schedule:
Assist the local partner to prepare its progress reports to be submitted to CRS;
Collect information on staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and monitor capacity building and technical support activities to ensure effective impact;
Complete project documentation for assigned activities:
Report on project activities;
Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices;
In collaboration with MEAL staff;
Collect human interest stories with photos on project beneficiaries, including vendors;
