Senior Project Officer - Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC)

Job Summary:

The Senior Project Officer for Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) is responsible in facilitating the achievement of project objectives by coordinating and reporting on assigned  of SILC programming and providing technical guidance and support across project staff and implementing partners within the Country Program. The Sr Project Officer ensures that assigned project activities apply CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, established SILC methodologies, and best practices. The role support continuous learning and improvement to strengthen the quality and impact of SILC activities for the individual and communities CRS serves. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead  the implementation of SILC and SILC+Gender Transformative Approach (GTA) activities as outlined I the detailed implementation plan and in accordance with CRS SILC methodology, program quality standards, donor requirements, and global best practices in financial inclusion and community savings.

• Coordinate assigned SILC programming activities within project teams and implementing partners. Provide technical guidance and implementation support to promote consistent application of relevant SILC approaches, tools, and procedures. 

• Ensure that learning accompanies assigned activities throughout the project cycle, including planning, implementation, monitoring, learning, adaptation, and close-out, ensuring high-quality and consistent application of SILC approaches across the Country Program.

• Support project accountability by coordinating relevant monitoring and evaluation activities and guiding implementing partners, in documenting project experiences, results, challenges, and lessons learned. 

• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with relevant project stakeholders, including government counterparts, implementing partners, community leaders, private-sector actors, and SILC groups. 

• Serve as a key liaison to strengthen collaboration, promote community participation, coordination and effective implementation of assigned SILC activites.

• Conduct regular field monitoring visits and technical quality reviews to assess implementation progressand adherence to  established SILC methodologies, procedures, and safeguarding standards are consistently applied.

• Identify implementation challenges during monitoring activities and provide practical guidance to project staff and partners. Report significant issues to the appropriate project manager to inform follow-up and adjustments. 

• Track the utilization of financial, material, and human resources allocated to SILC activities through regular budget monitoring and follow-up with project staff and implementing partners. Report identified of issues or variances to the appropriate project manager for action.

• Coordinate capacity strengthening and technical-support initiatives for CRS staff, implementing partners, SILC agents, community-based trainers, and other stakeholders to support implementation in accordance with project guidelines and standards.

• Support the integration of SILC+GTA approaches across multiple sectors, including livelihoods, agriculture, health, youth development, gender, resilience, and humanitarian programming, ensuring that vulnerable households benefit from strengthened financial resilience and economic empowerment opportunities.

• Coordinate the provision of technical, operational, logistical, and administrative support required for effective SILC implementation, ensuring project teams and partners have the necessary tools, resources, and guidance to achieve results.

• Ensure that all SILC-related documentation, records, databases, success stories, and reports are complete, accurate, and maintained in accordance with CRS and donor requirements. 

• Support the preparation of technical reports, trend analyses, case studies, lessons learned, and documentation of promising practices to inform program improvement and resource mobilization efforts.

• Provide SILC-related technical input to relevant project-design and proposal-development processes

Required Languages - Proficiency in English Language is required.  

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 35% 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Observation, active listening, and analysis skills with the ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members.
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent training and facilitation skills, including experience with participatory methods and partnerships

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in International Relations, Business Administration or a related field. 

• Experience in monitoring projects and collecting relevant data 

• Experience in the field of social cohesion, savings, and loan programs within an NGO 

• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement. 

• Experience of working with local partners (capacity building)

Supervisory Responsibilities SILC Supervisors 

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in International Relations, business management, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Development Studies, or other related field. 

• Minimum of 3 years of work experience in project support, including development of savings and loans programs, income generation and livelihoods.

• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement

 Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• 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.

What we offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.  Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.  CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ 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 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 safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.