Snr Health Systems Strengthening Officer

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Senior Health Systems Strengthening Officer

(Based in Vientiane Capital)

This position is available to LAO nationals only

 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 lead for the BREASTFEEDING PROTECTION & PROMOTION project team, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through planning, coordinating and reporting of assigned project activities and providing technical guidance and advice in the area of health systems strengthening and maternal and child health and nutrition (MCHN), to government partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. In particular, this position will lead efforts to strengthen institutional capacity for enforcement of regulations concerning foods for infants and toddlers. You will also support the expansion and institutionalization of MOH’s Breastfeeding Model Hospital (BFMH) program, particularly use of data for decision making.  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.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Organize and lead the 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.
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all project stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact.

• Via MOH’s BMFH program, support quality improvement processes to strengthen MCHN services at central, provincial, and district hospitals, including design, adaptation, and scale-up of tools, databases, and reporting systems as indicated.

• Lead and coordinate activities to strengthen the national regulatory system for the Breast‑Milk Substitute (BMS) Code, including support to government-led monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
• Build capacity of multi-sectoral government counterparts to effectively enforce relevant regulations.
• Serve as MEAL lead for the project, ensuring adherence to monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning systems. Ensure timely and accurate data collection, analysis, and reporting in line with donor requirements. With project team, coordinate evaluations, assessments, and documentation of best practices and lessons learned.
• Facilitate data review and reflection sessions with project teams and partners to support adaptive management and continuous learning.
• Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partners.
• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.
• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete and maintained. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Proactively identify issues, report them to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Contribute to maintaining relationships with Ministry of Health stakeholders, donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions. Participate in forums related to national strategies and standards for nutrition-sensitive services to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required. A degree in fields of health and/or development would be a plus.
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of health systems strengthening, maternal and child health, and nutrition, and/or MEAL

• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Peer or professional breastfeeding support experience
• Clinical qualification or master’s degree in a health-related field.
• Experience working with the Lao Ministry of Health and INGOs/UN agencies.
• Experience in monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information, and budget management systems.
• Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in health systems strengthening and maternal and child health and nutrition. General knowledge of related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with government and civil society partners
• Mentoring and coaching skills
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Required Languages – Fluency in written and spoken Lao and a professional level of written and spoken English is required.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 25% across Laos.

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 responsibilities 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 principles.

APPLICATION INFORMATION: To apply for this position, please submit an application letter stating your expression of interest along with your most current CV by email to LA_HR@crs.org

Closing date for applications: 23 June 2026. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer