Project Officer – Social Science

Job Title: Project Officer – Social Science (3)
Department: Programs
Supervisor: Program Manager I -Social Science AEGIS
Grade: 7
Location/Country: Yumbe/Uganda

About Catholic Relief Services:
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, health (including malaria), agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.
CRS has worked in Uganda since 1965, initially providing emergency assistance to Sudanese refugees living in the north. Over the years, CRS has expanded its programming to address needs across the country. CRS’ projects in Uganda currently include agriculture and value chain, landscape restoration and climate change adaption, health and health systems strengthening, microfinance, and DRR, humanitarian response and recovery. CRS Uganda implements its programs through partnerships with other organizations, including the Catholic Church, faith-based organizations, international and Ugandan NGOs, government ministries, private sector companies and academia, for maximum impact and sustainability. CRS Uganda employs around 180 staff and has its main office in Kampala, with sub-offices in Moroto, Yumbe, and Kikuube districts.

Background:
CRS is a sub-recipient on the Advancing Evidence for the Global Implementation of Spatial Repellents (AEGIS) project, led by the University of Notre Dame (UND) in the United States. In Uganda, CRS is responsible for leading an Operations Research aimed at comparing the effectiveness of a novel vector control, known as a passive emanating spatial repellent, between two operational program delivery channels. In addition to the operations research study, CRS will lead the social science study with technical assistance from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health (JHSPH) which will investigate factors that could facilitate or inhibit successful implementation of spatial repellents at scale. Both studies will be conducted in Northern Uganda’s Bidibidi Refugee Settlement.

Job Summary:
As a member of the Advancing Evidence for the Global Implementation of Spatial Repellents (AEGIS) 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 work directly with the Program Manager – Social Sciences and the research team at JHSPH to conduct the social science research, which is aimed at understanding the factors that could affect successful implementation of spatial repellents (SRs) at scale. Data will be gathered from end-users and stakeholders involved in distribution of SRs to better understand perceptions of and experiences with the product and provide programmatically useful recommendations for promotion and distribution. The research will be carried out in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:
• Support the coordination and implementation of AEGIS study activities in zones and clusters as outlined in the protocol and SOPs in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Participate in community entry and engagement activities.
• Supervise enrolment of social science study participants
• Adhere to the ethical principles of the study
• Identify, recruit, and administer informed consent to eligible study participants.
• Schedule and conduct social science data collection activities.
• Transcribe and translate audio files and submit typed transcripts to the Social Science Manager in a timely manner.
• Debrief with social science team on a regular basis, assist in coding and data analysis, while maintaining strict confidentiality of sensitive research information
• Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified in social science activities to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Complete project documentation for social science activities.
• Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.
• Participate in planning meetings and scheduled conference calls with social science team st and study partners.

Required Education Background and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public health, social work or community health and development from a recognized university is required.
• Training and/or experience with qualitative research methods and analysis, strongly preferred.
• Experience in use of participatory approaches in research, preferred.
Proven experience in transcription and translation of interview audio files, preferred.
• Experience with supervising study team members preferred.

Personal Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:
• Participatory approaches and methodologies that generate interest and active prolonged stakeholder engagement.
• 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
• Ability to work independently and under minimum supervision
• Ability to maintain project schedules and work extra hours as may be required
• High proficiency with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Required Languages: English and local languages used in Bidibidi refugee settlement (Juba Arabic and Lugbara-Ti) and host communities (Kakwa).

Travel Required: Must be willing and able to travel up to 80% to field sites in Bidibidi settlement.

Key Working Relationships:
Internal: In Yumbe: Program Manager II -AEGIS, Program Manager I- Social Science, Project Officer – Community engagement, Head of Office, MEAL Manager, Yumbe program and operations team. In Kampala: Director of Health and Social science services, Sr. Program Manager for Emergencies, Head of Programs, Country Representative.
External: IDRC staff

DISCLAIMER CLAUSE:

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

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.

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.

CRS Uganda is an Equal Opportunity Employer!