Senior Project Officer - Hygiene Promotion (Plateau)

Job Summary:

The Senior Project Officer- Hygiene Promotion provides technical leadership in the design and implementation of community-based WASH interventions aimed at reducing public health risks and improving hygiene behaviours. Under the guidance of the SWASH Manager, the role focuses on overseeing hygiene promotion strategies, strengthening community governance structures (including Water Management Committees and Latrine Maintenance Teams), and ensuring sustainable operation and maintenance of sanitation and water systems.  

You will lead capacity building of Community Mobilizers and local structures, supervision of community engagement approaches, and coordination with engineering and multi-sectoral teams (CVA, protection, nutrition, shelter) to ensure integrated service delivery. The Senior Project Officer- Hygiene Promotion will also supports evidence-based decision-making through HP data management and reporting, documentation of best practices and lessons learned. This position is based Plateau State.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• In coordination with the Water, Sanitation and Shelter Manager, lead the design and implementation of assessments and baseline studies to identify WASH-related risks and inform program priorities.
• Organize and lead the 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.
• Collaborate with WASH, Nutrition, and other CRS teams to design integrated interventions addressing both behavioral and environmental public health risks.
• Define priority hygiene practices, target populations, and develop context-appropriate communication strategies to promote safe behaviors.
• Supervise and support Hygiene Promotion Officers to ensure quality messaging, effective community engagement, and accountability to affected populations.
• Strengthen community participation in the planning, construction, and maintenance of WASH facilities, ensuring functional Environmental Cleaning Committees and Water Point Management Committees.
• Oversee day-to-day team management, including staff supervision, logistics, and administrative processes.
• Work with the MEAL team to establish effective monitoring systems for hygiene promotion and social mobilization activities.
• Lead capacity building of Hygiene Promotion Officers, Community Mobilizers, and contribute to cross-training of WASH field engineers.
• Represent CRS in WASH sector coordination platforms and technical working groups, and maintain effective collaboration with partners, INGOs, and government stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health. 

Required Languages - English is required. Proficiency in Hausa or other local languages will be an added advantage.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 50 %.

Location: Plateau State

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Skilled in obtaining information necessary to accomplish duties.
• Able to prioritize work, multitask, and meet deadlines.
• Able to work with diverse groups of people in a team-oriented environment. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience of integrating gender and diversity issues into public health promotion is an advantage.  
• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Staff supervision experience a plus.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Partners' Hygiene Promotion Officers  

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: SWASH Program Manager, project officers, MEAL team

External: Partner Staff (Including CMs, Vendors, Community Stakeholders), WASH Partners, LGA and state partners.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Community Development, Sociology, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working with NGOs in the field of WASH and particularly in Hygiene Promotion and Social Mobilization.  
• Proven ability to provide technical assistance, training and expert advice to hygiene promotion staff.  
• Experience in project management, planning, supervision, quality assurance and reporting.  
• Good knowledge and experience of working with local partner agencies, with a capacity to provide formal and informal training.  
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

 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.