Project Officer - AgrEcoNUS+

Job Summary:

AgrEcoNUS+ aims to strengthen food and nutrition security, climate resilience, and inclusive economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa by promoting neglected and underutilized species (NUS) through agroecological approaches. The project enhances sustainable production by combining scientific research with traditional knowledge, strengthens farmer-managed seed systems and enabling policies, and develops inclusive value chains and markets for NUS-based products. By empowering farmers, women, youth, researchers, and small enterprises, while fostering consumer awareness and policy support, AgrEcoNUS+ seeks to scale biodiversity-based food systems that improve livelihoods, increase access to nutritious diets, and drive a sustainable agroecological transition.

As a Project Officer, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

This position will report to the Program Director for Agriculture, Livelihoods and Landscapes/Designee and will be based in the Project location.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead assigned project activities in line with the detailed implementation plan, CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and recognized good practices.
• Provide training, technical guidance, and advisory support on NUS crop systems through demonstration fields and farmer field schools.
• Support the establishment and strengthening of community seed banks and local seed systems.
• Support civil society actors and networks to engage with relevant authorities on the development and/or revision of policies and regulations for farmer-managed seed systems.
• Promote structured information exchange, learning, and knowledge sharing among project actors and across countries.
• Advocate for actions that promote NUS as part of sustainable food systems at national and regional levels.
• Promote consumer awareness and trust in NUS and agroecological products, and ensure complete documentation of assigned project activities in line with agency and donor requirements.
• Support the preparation of annual reports and the documentation of case studies, success stories, and promising practices.

Required Languages - Proficient in English Language.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 25% of her/his time.

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 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none): No

 Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Internal: Agric Technical Advisor, Agric Program Director, Head of Programming, Snr Project MEAL Officer, Grant Manager, and Snr Project Officers.

External: Field Agents, local partner management and project officers, other consortium member staff located in the region, District stakeholders, and other local and international partner organizations