Project Officer for Forest Flavors Project

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. 

CRS began working in the Philippines in 1945, making it the longest-running continuous CRS country program in the world. Today, CRS Philippines implements programs in emergency response and recovery, disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, livelihoods, and peace and development. With more than 60 staff across Manila, Cotabato City, Tagbilaran City, Iloilo City, Virac, and Malaybalay City, CRS works closely with church and civil society partners, government agencies, and other organizations to serve vulnerable communities across the country.

Job Summary

As a member of the Forest Flavors project team, you will monitor and report on all project activities in support of Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. 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.

You will provide technical support to project partners in the implementation and coordination for coffee value chain interventions that improve farmer incomes and climate resilience through integrated agroforestry, market linkages, and enterprise strengthening.

•    Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
•    Work with finance and insurance institutions to co-develop finance products and services that will cater to the unique qualification of local coffee farmers specifically the Indigenous farmers. 
•    Monitor and report on 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.
•    Support the MEAL in conducting periodic field monitoring and assist in the planning, facilitation, documentation, and follow-through of After-Action Reviews to strengthen project learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.
•    Ensure gender equity and social inclusion in project participation, leadership, and benefit-sharing while promoting farmers’ active engagement in feedback and safeguarding mechanisms to identify and address concerns in a timely manner.

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Forestry, Community Development, Rural Development, or Agribusiness or relevant to the area.
• Minimum of 2–3 years' work experience in value chain projects and related project support.
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement. 
• Experience with farmer organizations, extension systems, and public–private partnerships (PPPs). 
• Willing to be based and assigned on Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and Talaingod, Davao del Norte
• With strong background and engagement with financing and insurance institutions in developing finance products and services that will cater to the unique qualification of coffee farmers especially the Indigenous coffee farmers.  

• Experience implementing, monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
• Experience in the field of Value Chain Development, Agroforestry and for an NGO would be a plus.

• Proficient in using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good communication and relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented

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