About CRS

CRS is an international NGO based in the United States that works in over 100 countries to promote human development by responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies. CRS was established in 1943 to help war-torn Europe and its refugees recover. Today, we continually seek to help those most in need, without regard to race, creed or nationality.

Job Summary:

CRS is seeking an Accountability Officer for an anticipated five-year USAID-funded Education Resilience Activity (ERA) project in Pakistan. This program will support the Ministries of Education to improve the education systems’ climate resilience and inclusiveness of marginalized populations, particularly girls and children with disabilities.

The Accountability Officer will play a pivotal role in ERA project, leading the design and implementation of gender, age-responsive, and inclusive accountability mechanisms. This entails creating systems that empower participants and stakeholders to communicate feedback, questions, and concerns regarding any facet of the project. With a keen focus on inclusivity, the officer will ensure that these mechanisms are accessible and safe for all individuals, fostering an environment where diverse voices are heard and valued. Responsibilities include not only the development of these systems but also their seamless roll-out, monitoring, and continuous improvement. The role demands an understanding of gender and age-related dynamics, coupled with a commitment to inclusivity. The officer will collaborate closely with various stakeholders, advocating for transparent and accountable practices. Through the establishment of effective accountability structures, this position contributes to the overall success of the project by enhancing transparency, addressing concerns promptly, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and responsiveness. The Accountability Officer is central to maintaining the integrity of the project, ensuring that it remains responsive to the needs and perspectives of all participants and stakeholders. S/He will foster a positive environment of collaboration with project stakeholders including but not limited to other donors, Technical and Consortium members, and Partner with the public and private sectors to strengthen local education systems.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and implementation of gender, age-responsive, and inclusive accountability mechanisms for the ERA project. Ensure that these mechanisms empower participants and stakeholders to effectively communicate feedback, questions, and concerns related to all aspects of the project.
• Create systems that prioritize inclusivity, making them accessible and safe for individuals of all genders and ages. Foster an environment where diverse voices are not only heard but valued in decision-making processes.
• Oversee the seamless roll-out of accountability mechanisms, coordinating with relevant teams and stakeholders to ensure effective implementation. Conduct training sessions and awareness programs to familiarize participants with the accountability systems.
• Implement robust monitoring and evaluation processes for accountability mechanisms. Regularly assess the effectiveness of the systems, identify areas for improvement, and implement necessary changes.
• Develop a clear understanding of gender and age-related dynamics within the project context. Tailor accountability mechanisms to address specific concerns related to gender, disabilities and age inclusivity.
• Collaborate closely with various stakeholders, including project participants, community members, and organizational partners. Advocate for and promote transparent and accountable practices throughout the project lifecycle.
• Establish and maintain transparent communication channels to facilitate the flow of information between participants, stakeholders, and project teams. Address concerns promptly and effectively, ensuring a timely and appropriate response through proper channels of communication.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the project by actively seeking feedback and incorporating lessons learned into accountability mechanisms. Propose and implement enhancements to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of the systems.
• Play a central role in maintaining the integrity of the project by upholding ethical standards and ensuring that accountability mechanisms align with organizational values and donor requirements. Uphold a commitment to responsiveness and sensitivity to the needs and perspectives of all participants and stakeholders.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of accountability processes and outcomes. Prepare regular reports on the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms, highlighting key findings and recommendations for improvement. Ensure the confidentiality standards are maintained and sensitive type feedback are investigated and handled by the right person.
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and recommend trainings and technical assistance.
• Understand and practice  safeguarding policy, procedures, and code of conduct to mitigate, avoid and manage safeguarding risks for both staff and beneficiaries

Basic Qualifications

• High School diploma required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• At least five years of professional experience in successfully designing and implementing accountability mechanisms for large scale projects. accountability mechanisms for large scale projects.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and mobilize diverse partners, developing stakeholder networks, and successfully communicating and coordinating among key stakeholders.
• Sound understanding of the education landscape of the region or Pakistan.
• Technical understanding and experience in leading accountability system.

Required Languages – English, Urdu and any local languages is preferable.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 50 to 60 %.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Very good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to see the big picture and the ability to make sound judgments and decisions.
• Very good relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

• Recognized technical experience in education, Social Sciences, or relevant discipline.

• Experience in engaging partners and other stakeholders in communicating accountability mechanisms to the end beneficiary and documenting the feedback.
• Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
• Experience in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications.
• Previous experience in the development of strong accountability mechanisms for large-scale projects. 
• Understanding of education systems, policies, and practices, especially those related to inclusive education.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills to effectively convey data driven reports.

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.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none)

• None

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Head of Programs, Head of Operations, Country Manager, Country Finance Manager, Director Finance and operations, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor, Field Managers, Communication Officer, Education Technical teams

External: USAID, Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Education, Consortium members leadership, other donors ‘and communities.

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 is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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