Localization Project Officer

Starting Salary: $33,795 

Contract: 1-Year Contract (renewable) 

Location: Goma, DRC

**Please note that we will only accept applications completed in English**

Job Profile

Localization Project Officer is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the - Local SPACE: Enhancing the Space, Participation, Accountability, Capacity, and Engagement of Local and National Actors in Humanitarian Aid Delivery".

Local-SPACE is a global initiative aimed at driving system-wide change in line with global humanitarian localisation commitments. Its principal objective is to strengthen the capacity and equitable participation of all actors in the humanitarian system through a scalable, adaptable network-based solution.

The project will engage local and national networks in DRC, Ethiopia, Iraq, Myanmar, Nigeria and South Sudan, focusing on marginalised groups, including women and refugee-led organisations. The project has two main components. First, strengthen institutional capacity and humanitarian leadership of Local and National Actors (L/NAs).

Local-SPACE will be implemented by a consortium of DanChurchAid, Christian Aid Ireland/UK, Trocaire Ireland, CAFOD UK, and Save the Children UK/Humanitarian Leadership Academy.

In DRC, CAFOD will work with the platform of NNGO to enhance the localisation agenda through strengthening capacities of their member for meaningful participation in the humanitarian system.

The post holder will be based in Goma/Kinshasa be expected to undertake frequent travel to the project implementation areas (North Kivu, South, Kivu and Ituri). The post holder must be able and willing to travel for approximately 12 weeks per year sometimes at short notice and to areas of potential risk.

The scope of the post falls into the following functions:

• Support national or sub-national networks, working with local NGOs, CBOs and grassroots organizations at three levels: Individually (leadership coaching and mentoring), organisational (institutional capacity), and network-level (capacity sharing).
• Monitor network members' continuous education and resource sharing on the portal.
• Support evidence-based advocacy for model replication. This includes engaging L/NAs with coordination mechanisms, developing advocacy plans, and producing an action research report.

The post holder is also expected to understand the value of bringing a Catholic voice to strengthen the call for justice, solidarity and sustainability. With valuable experience in working with a range of cultures and in different contexts, they would have the ability and confidence to challenge the power dynamics that exclude people from decision-making and be committed to ensuring that those at the highest level take the perspectives of those living in poverty seriously. 

Key Responsibilities

Capacity Building Initiatives & Maintenance of Effective Relationships with Partners and Key Stakeholders 

• Support identifying capacity-strengthening priorities NNGO and their CBOs for equitable participation in the humanitarian system and the development of capacity plans for responding to the identified needs.
• Support the process of selecting NNGO and their CBOs for participating in capacity strengthening program

Communication, learning and information sharing relating to DRC programmes and development, stakeholders, partners and other consortium members within and outside DRC 

• Facilitate meetings between relevant cluster coordination mechanism i.e., working groups / task force and L/NA (including NGOs, CBOs and informal groups)
• Support the network partner in strengthening linkages with existing advocacy platforms in-country, their collective messaging in equitable participation in the humanitarian system.
• In collaboration with the Communications and Media Officer, provide analyzed information, documented stories of change, images and best practices;
• Support the consortium efforts to nurture and sustain relationships and effective communications with relevant stakeholders, including local government, national networks and other agencies working on localisation in DRC.
• In agreement with the Programme Manager or relevant members of the team, occasionally attend external meetings or events, and identify and follow-up on actions from these;
• Keep up-to-date with development issues, trends and political developments, both within DRC and more generally

Monitoring, Evaluation tools, Reporting and Data Analysis

• Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework that will be implemented in the Local-SPACE project.
• Develop tools and templates to support the project and provide relevant data that can be used to monitor and evaluate the progress and success of the project.
• Collect learnings for evidence-based advocacy on replicable and scalable network-based models for L/NA’s meaningful participation and leadership
• Produces regular reports and consolidates all the M&E information gathered into a relevant management report.
• Coordinates with project and organisational MEL for project integration in the overall MEL organisation
• Systems and compliance:

• Overseeing the effective use of CAFOD’s systems to share programme knowledge and inform decision-making. This includes overseeing compliance with agreements, regulations and requirements attached to our work. 

Safeguarding

All CAFOD staff share responsibility to promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture, including identifying the key actions they should take given their role and responsibilities. Your role is responsible for ensuring that the programming work you are accountable for is safe, accessible, dignified and inclusive, providing ongoing support and follow-up to our partners in this area.

Person Specification

Understanding our context

• Understanding Catholic identity.
• Understanding CAFOD.
• Understanding international development: Understanding and experience of international development and programme management and quality standards. 

Working together

• Managing ourselves.
• Working with others.
• Looking outward, Understanding and first-hand experience of effective and values-based partnership work between northern and southern organisations and communities.        

Making change happen

• Managing resources: Makes effective use of ICT, particularly for distance communication.
• Achieving results.
• Managing our performance: Able to manage competing work demands; Able to manage a team of staff, including staff at a distance.
• Taking the lead; Sets an example of what can be achieved.

Job-specific competencies

1. Understanding and first-hand experience of localisation initiatives worldwide and in DRC.
2. Experience using programme cycle management tools effectively to deliver work within an agreed programme framework, including programme integration.
3. Able and committed to facilitate or support the development of partners’ capacities.
4. Understanding and first-hand experience of working with coordination structures, working groups, networks and consortiums
5. Financial management understanding and experience.
6. Languages (French , English and local languages are essential)

Desirable Criteria

• Previous work experience in the country/sub-region
• Understanding of key country/sub-regional humanitarian trends and/or previous experience on humanitarian work.

Safeguarding for Children and Vulnerable Adults

CAFOD recognises the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults, towards whom it has a special responsibility and a duty of care and respect.  CAFOD, and all its staff and volunteers, undertake to do all in our power to create a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse.  CAFOD is committed to acting at all times in the best interests of children and vulnerable adults, seeing these interests as paramount.  Any candidate offered a job with CAFOD will be expected to adhere to CAFOD’s Safeguarding policy and sign CAFOD’s Code of Behaviour as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, and appropriate screening checks can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. CAFOD also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of, and consent to, these recruitment procedures.