Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting relief and development work in over 100 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 non-church partners to implement its programs.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) opened operations in Kenya in 1965. For over 50 years, we have worked throughout the country to implement programs in agriculture, health, microfinance, water, sanitation, emergency relief and peacebuilding. We have built deep relationships with the Government of Kenya and the Catholic Church through ongoing collaboration and support. CRS’ projects in Kenya currently include agriculture, health, microfinance, emergency response, HIV care and treatment, and services for orphans and vulnerable children. CRS Kenya implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including the Catholic Church, other faith-based organizations and community entities for maximum impact and sustainability.
Background Information:
CRS, representing a consortium of international non-governmental organizations, local implementing partners and research institutions is leading the USAID Nawiri Program, a USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) funded 5-year Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) in Kenya. The overarching goal of this multi-sectoral nutrition activity is to sustainably reduce persistent levels of acute malnutrition in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), focusing on Isiolo and Marsabit counties.
Currently, Nawiri is implementing a one-year mixed methods action research study, “Understanding the Potential of Conditional Cash Transfers in Addressing Acute Malnutrition.” to inform the potential of conditional cash transfer in alleviating acute malnutrition across 10 sites identified as having highest levels of persistent acute malnutrition in Isiolo and Marsabit. The findings of which will inform Nawiri on the best/ most impactful cash transfer modality (conditional versus unconditional] as well as strategies and interventions that would be most effective in addressing acute malnutrition in the two counties.
Summary of the Position
The Field Research Associate will support the effective management and implementation of the research study. S/he will provide support in developing data collection tools, data collection, analysis and managing the field team. In addition, the Associate will maintain key relationships with local implementing partners and relevant county government actors
- Coordinate all study research field activities
- Support the Research & Design Manager in implementing the study and developing data collection tools
- Provide data quality assurance, statistical and analytic support to the study
- Support in recruiting and training the research enumerators
- Supervise and manage the field team and data collection activities
- Support field logistics to ensure that the field research teams are adequately facilitated working closely with research & design team, Caritas-Marsabit & Isiolo and Head of Offices.
- Work with Nawiri field teams to ensure effective community mobilization for the relevant stakeholders across the county and sub county level.
- Work in close collaboration with the Field offices, Monitoring and evaluation, Accountability & Learning and other technical field teams
- Report immediately to the head of county any issues, constraints and challenges in complying with CRS and Donor’s standards policies and regulations and with government’s laws.
- Keep all documents and information related to CRS' program activities, personnel and development plans confidential.
- Adhere to CRS' principles of confidentiality in relations to staff, partners, vendors and other stakeholders. Report to the management potential irregularities or any misbehaviour that occurs
- Be flexible to undertake any other roles as assigned.
Required/Desired Foreign Language: English and Kiswahili required (Ability to speak one or more of the local languages an asset)
Travel Required: 50% field travel
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Nawiri Research & Design Manager, County Head of offices, Nawiri program team, data enumerators
External: Consortium partners, research institutions, government bodies at different levels
- Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, with at least 3-5 field research experience. Experience in the ASALs a plus
- 2-5 years’ experience supervising research field teams
- 2 years’ experience in field project management an advantage
- Strong quantitative data analysis skills
- Experience with SMART surveys an advantage
- Experience with field data collection applications. Familiarity with CommCare a plus
- Familiarity with Isiolo and Marsabit County and local communities an asset
- Experience working with multiple stakeholders- universities, international non-governmental organizations and faith-based organizations
- Ability to work independently and with multidisciplinary teams
- Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion including gender equality.
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.
- Personal Accountability
- Acts with Integrity
- Builds and Maintains Trust
- Collaborates with Others
- Open to Learn
- Strategic Mindset
- Develops and Recognizes Others
- Leads Change
CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. 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 protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.
CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities.
CRS’ emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a baby room at the office, and flexible working hours where possible. Women are highly encouraged to apply.
