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.

Job Summary: 

As a member of the ‘Bina’ Aljusur (‘Building Bridges’)’ 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 business development services to the participating MSMEs, agripreneurs and FPOs.  S/he will help participants to identify profitable business opportunities, secure sound business deals with the private sector and facilitate the mobilization and engagement of the participants in coordination with the private sector. S/he will coordinate and report on all agribusiness engagement activities and provide technical guidance and advice to staff and local partners. The PO will analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. The PO will also serve as the liaison between local project stakeholders, CRS, the private Sector and financial institutions.

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.
• Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Assist partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.
• Coordinate and report on all agribusiness engagement activities and provide technical guidance and advice to staff and local partners. 
• Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. 
• Lead in implementation of agribusiness development services to MSMEs, agripreneurs, and farmer organizations as determined with the Challenge Fund Manager and overall team in the detailed implementation plan. 
• Build close relationships with the large agribusinesses, MSMEs, agripreneurs, and farmer organizations to identify profitable business opportunities 
• Build relationships with other private sector parties that have a business model and interest which is relevant to the MSMEs, agripreneurs, and farmer organizations of the project to secure business deals for these entities.
• Work with MSMEs, agripreneurs, and farmer organizations during their business start-up, providing individual follow-up as well as organizing monthly meetings to reinforce training topics and facilitate peer exchange of experience. 
• Provide technical guidance to partner and project staff in relation to agribusiness development activities in the project 
• Facilitate linkages between small scale producers, their cooperatives, and agripreneurs with other value chain actors in agribusiness, financial institutions and input suppliers
• Complete project documentation for assigned activities. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.

Basic Qualifications

• Degree in International Development, Agriculture/ Agribusiness, Economics, or in a similar field is preferred. Minimum of 2 years of work experience in the field of Agribusiness activities and value chain development.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Experience in providing Business Development Services is a must
• Excellent communication and presentation skills and working in multicultural environment.

Required Languages - Fluency in written and spoken English required; Arabic native speakers, or strong skills are preferred

Travel - Position is based in CRS’ Gedaref office. Must be willing and able to travel up to 80% to project areas within Gedaref.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• 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 in participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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 – 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none): None

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: F2F Project team in the location, Challenge Fund Manager, Deputy Chief of Party(DCoP), MEAL Manager, Volunteer Program Coordinator,   State office Manager and Chief of Party

External : Local partner and other stakeholders

 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. 

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices

CRS is an Equal Opportunity.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, 

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

 CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, human trafficking everywhere and at all times. I, the applicant, accept these requirements as part of my job application.

Submission location: - 

If interested, please submit cover letter, resume and copies of your education and work certificates to Sudanjob.net or Lobour Office Gedaref. Ensure that your cover letter or resume has a phone number and WhatsApp number where you can be reached.