CRS began direct operations in Afghanistan in early 2002. CRS maintains five main offices throughout the country: Kabul, Herat, Ghor, Daykundi and Bamiyan, with sub-offices in all these provinces. The CRS strategic plan for Afghanistan focuses on poverty and risk reduction, human development, and emergency response in rural areas in western and central Afghanistan. CRS works to support:

• People, especially girls and women from marginalized communities, gain basic education
• Poor rural and peri-urban households to have increased livelihood security
• Vulnerable communities to survive shocks without long-term negative impact on their livelihoods.

Project Summary:

CRS is implementing a 51-month BMZ-funded project in Bamiyan to support households and communities to sustainably improve their livelihoods resilience through watershed restoration and improved use of natural resources. The project focuses on community-led solutions that will improve watershed and disaster risk management (DRM), increase access to clean water, and improve food production. Through this project, 16 vulnerable communities in Bamiyan province will have strengthened resilience to crises and disasters such as droughts, flooding, and market shocks.

As the Project Officer for Watershed/DRM, you will monitor and report on all project activities related to watershed and natural resource management. 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. This position will be responsible for delivering high-quality trainings and learning events on select practices related to soil conservation, natural resource and watershed management. The Project Officer will have a direct line to the Senior Project Officer (SPO) and will be responsible for ensuring that programming activities are consistent with project implementation plans, and address program quality issues as they arise.

The Project Officer will also build relationships with beneficiary communities, work closely with Community Development Committees (CDCs)/Shuras, facilitate coordination with local government agencies, and support the PM to monitor progress, prepare reports, and evaluate results.

This position may be based in Bamiyan or Yakowlang.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

Support to Project Implementation

• Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned watershed/DRM project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. Collaborate with project teams to resolve any challenges or delays. 
• Ensure that projects are safe, high-quality, and aligned with community needs and best practices.

• Contribute to the development of lessons learned and best practices related to watershed/DRM to facilitate adaptive management and program quality improvements. Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle.

• Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Assist partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.

• Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and assisting partners in their efforts to collect and analyze project data per specified mechanisms and tools. Collaborate with local partner(s) to prepare reports per established reporting schedule.

• 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. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.

• Ensure the watershed/DRM field staff understand the project strategy and technical approach 
• Work closely with watershed/DRM to monitor construction/cash-for-work activities and address challenges as they arise
• Lead high-quality and participatory community trainings on selected watershed/DRM practices/techniques
• Identify challenges in the implementation of project activities and offer ideas for potential solutions
• Support the timely procurement and documentation of goods and services required by the project according to the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP), including accurate submission of purchase requests and other necessary purchasing documentation
• Assist in coordinating field visits with Technical Advisors (TAs) to offer timely advice to communities on project techniques

Support to Project Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)  

• Support data collection and analysis for project indicators
• Contribute to quarterly and annual reflections on project progress towards indicators
• Support the collection of regular monitoring data including but not limited to farmer feedback sessions, observation forms, and activity tracking
• Support MEAL staff with updating the feedback mechanism database and coordinate with PM to follow-up on feedback received

Staff Supervision

• Directly supervise and build the capacity of the Field Officers to develop and carry out work plans.
• Support professional development through individual coaching, reviewing staff performance management plans, and providing trainings as necessary.
• Provide technical assistance to field staff and beneficiaries.

Teamwork and Relationships

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with project participants, community leaders, and other community members
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with CRS colleagues and promote an office atmosphere that promote professional development

Foster positive relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, service providers, vendors, NGOs and other actors in the district

• Afghan national with a university degree. Master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 4 years related work experience with an NGO or government agency, ideally in the field of agriculture or WASH. Experience with an international organization a plus.

Required Languages – Fluent English and Dari (reading, writing, listening and speaking skills); Pashto skills a plus.

Travel - The position will be based in Bamiyan or Yakawlang with frequent travel to project communities. The position may also require occasional travel to other CRS offices in Afghanistan for workshops and trainings. 

CRS is committed to providing daily allowances for mahrams who accompany female staff on day trips to the field, and per diem and accommodation for mahrams who accompany female staff on work-related trips that require overnight stays.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Field Officers (4)

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: Program Manager, Senior Project Officer, MEAL/Senior/Project Officer/Field Officer, Field Officers, Field Agents, Heads of Office, Head of Programs and Technical Advisors.

External: Project Participants, Community Leaders and other Community Members, Government Agencies, and other NGOs

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with community leaders and government representatives

• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Excellent communication and presentation skills and good judgment with regards to problem solving
• Strong sensitivity and respect for local cultures
• Professional manner in dealing with community members and co-workers.
• Strong listening and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to be based in Bamiyan and work in field locations, as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of agricultural livelihoods a plus
• Experience working on water source construction projects an advantage
• Experience working in rural communities, especially Bamiyan districts preferred
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneDrive, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams).

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)  

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.  

• Integrity  
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation 

• Builds Relationships  
• Develops Talent 
• Strategic Mindset 
• Accountability & Stewardship 

Protection Acknowledgment: CRS prohibits all forms of abuse and exploitation towards children and vulnerable adults. As a professional candidate, you commit to adhering to the Agency’s policy on protection, rights and dignity of children and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from abuse and exploitation as defined in CRS’ Safeguarding Policy. 

We welcome as a part of our staff people who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.  

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

Protection Policy:

I understand the Agency’s commitment to protect the rights and dignity of children and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from abuse and exploitation as defined in CRS’ Protection Policy.

 CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Applications comprise a one-page cover letter to explain your interest and suitability for the post and your CV. Please do not attach your education documents and work certificates unless requested.

Dear Applicants!

The process of submitting a CV/Application has been changed to the online system. Therefore, interested candidates are encouraged to apply using the link provided below. Applications sent to any other email address or location will not be considered. Please ensure to rename your application file according to your name entered on the first page of the application forms.

Interested candidates can submit their applications by clicking on this link.

Please note that applications received after the closing date (i.e., March 30^th, 2024), will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for tests and interviews.