Project Officer for Forest Flavors Project

About CRS

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.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• 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.

Basic Qualifications 

• 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.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• 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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• 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

Required Languages: Fluent in written and spoken English, Bisaya and Tagalog

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 50-75%

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships:

External: Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF); Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENR) Provincial Agriculture’s Office (PDA), Provincial Trade and Industry (PTI), Municipal Local Government Units (MLGU) and relevant agencies and other relevant government agencies, academe, finance and insurance institution and private sector 
Internal: Project Manager, Program Manager, and CRS staff, such Human Resources, MEAL Officer, Finance, and Operations

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

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.