Market Assistant at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and nonchurch partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS has worked in Nigeria for more than 25 years.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Market Assistant

Job Reference Code: MAB3920
Location: Damaturu, Yobe
Department: North East Emergency Program
Location: Yobe, Damaturu
Position Band: 3
Reports To: Market Officer

Project Background

• NE Nigeria has been severely affected by insurgency led by armed opposition groups (AOGs) since 2009 and has been declared to be in a “state of emergency” since 2013. As clashes between Nigerian security forces and AOGs persist into its tenth year, over 2 million individuals remain displaced across the six Northeastern states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe. Pockets of relative stability have encouraged some households (HHs) to return to their places of origin, yet they remain vulnerable and precariously sensitive to the changing contexts
• Additionally, the prolonged conflict has eroded economic and livelihood opportunities of vulnerable HHs who struggle with limited incomes and purchasing power.
• Since 2016, CRS Nigeria has responded to critical WASH, shelter, food security and nutrition needs in both
• Yobe and Borno States, including through four phases of the USAID office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP) funded Emergency Food Assistance for Conflict Affected HHs (FFP/EFSP) project. During an anticipated 12-month fifth phase of the project, CRS will scale-up lifesaving support to a total of 15,900 HHs, or 95,400 individuals. CRS’ goal is to improve food security for vulnerable HHs in conflict-affected areas through evouchers for food.
• CRS is looking for a strong candidate to work as a Market Assistant (MA) on the project team
• She/he will be based in Damaturu (Yobe State), and primarily responsible for activities conducted in Kaga Local
• Government Area (LGA), barring significant changes in security dynamics.

Job Summary

• As a member of the FFP/EFSP project team, under the leadership of the Market Officer (MA) and the FFP/EFSP Program Manager (PM), the MA will be responsible for the implementation of daily project activities in her/his geographic location, while maintaining relationships with vendors and beneficiaries.

Job Description
The MA’s specific responsibilities will include the following:

• Support the coordination and monitoring of project activities at the field level, ensuring implementation; schedules are met as per the detailed activity plan, adhering to systems for quality project implementation;
• Undertake market visits at the point of e-voucher disbursement to ensure that progress is made as per project plan;
• Assist the Market Officer (MO) in e-voucher distribution processes as well as extend support to beneficiaries and vendors, as necessary;
• Facilitate information sharing among the project team, implementing partners, and project beneficiaries at the community level;
• Support the MO to Liaise with various community stakeholders and mobilize them to ensure full involvement of community leaders, community representatives, and local government representatives in the overall implementation and improvement of project activities;
• Ensure that feedback from beneficiaries on project implementation is regularly documented, shared and addressed through the appropriate channel;
• Facilitate and actively engage in data collection activities such as post-distribution monitoring (PDM), price monitoring and ensure that quality standard is maintained where data is collected by market Community Mobilizers (CMs);
• Conduct regular monitoring of project implementation and report on challenges for timely action;
• Provide support during beneficiary identification, registration and verification using standard tools;
• Support MO to ensure community sensitization across all interventions is conducted before evoucher disbursement;
• Assist the market and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team in evoucher card distribution to project beneficiaries;
• Assist procurement / MEAL officer for identification of vendors and market actors to participate in the e-voucher activities;
• Carryout regular vendor training and refresher activities;
• Compile data produced during field activities as per project requirements and contribute to the preparation of reports.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences, Community Development, Geography, or an equivalent Degree in another relevant field;
• At least 1 year experience in project implementation preferably with an NGO;
• Demonstrated experience in data collection with ICT4D systems;
• Proven experience in group discussions and other participatory methods;
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint);
• Required Languages – Strong English, Ability to speak local languages - Kanuri and Hausa - is a strong preference
• Travel – Must be willing and able to travel about 70% of the time.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities;
• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment;
• Team-oriented;
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members;
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented;

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint);
• Experience working with partner organizations;
• Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff and Partner Staff)
• These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member and partner staff members to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset

Accountability & Stewardship

• Supervisory Responsibilities: With MO, support of partner staff and enumerators during field activities

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: FFP / EFSP Program Manager II, FFP / EFSP Program Manager I, Market Officer, Markets MEAL Officer
• External: Implementing CBO’s staff.

Application Closing Date
23rd March, 2020.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should download the "CRS Application Form" using the link below, fill and send with a detailed Resume as one document (in a PDF Format) indicating "Position" being applied for and the "Job Ref Code" as the subject of the application to: [email protected]

Click here to Download Application Form (Drop-box)

Click Here for Job Details (Drop-box)

Equal Opportunity:

• CRS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, etc. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Safeguarding:

• By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking
• Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

Statement of Commitment to Protection:

• СТCRSТ recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and
• vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.