Junior Professionals Program for West African Women
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The Junior Professionals Program is an opportunity for qualified, professional women in West Africa to transform their passion for international relief and development work into a career with Catholic Relief Services. Over a 12-month period, each Junior Professional will build core skills while working alongside experienced staff and supporting critical programs. Junior Professionals will benefit from strong mentoring and regional networking as they prepare for positions of greater responsibility with CRS.
Unique Program Offerings
Meaningful Work
Make a Difference
Working together, CRS and the Junior Professionals will make great strides to end poverty and promote peace and self-reliance in West Africa. Junior Professionals will contribute to strategic and sustainable development projects in sectors like health, agriculture, education, emergency response, and peacebuilding.
Junior Professionals will help strengthen local governments’ and organizations’ ability to address the challenges in their communities and countries while advancing their learning objectives. This includes:
- Participating in project design
- Supporting real-time project assessments and data collection
- Developing and implementing monitoring and accountability frameworks
- Writing reports and proposals
- Organizing learning events
- Supporting operations (Human Resources, Finance, Supply Chain)
Learn more about our holistic approach and programming areas.
Participating Countries
West Africa
The Junior Professionals Program is currently available in Senegal, Liberia, Gambia, Guinea, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and Sierra Leone. Follow the links below to learn about CRS’ history and current work in each location.
Eligibility Requirements
Candidate Profile
We seek diverse and aligned candidates and welcome people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
Required Qualifications:
- Master's degree in related field (e.g. Economic Development, Agriculture, Health, Business, Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Supply Chain)
- Received Master's degree within 24 months of program start date (Oct. 2022)
- Six months of relevant work experience (e.g. internship, practicum, volunteer or paid work)
- Excellent speaking and writing skills in the official business language of the country (French or English)
- Citizen of a participating country (see above)
- Excels in collaborative multicultural environment
- Willingness to travel (up to 10-15% of the time)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and research skills
- Agile, proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented
- Strong presentation and facilitation skills
Application & Selection
Application Process
All applicants to the Junior Professionals Program must apply online, following the three simple steps outlined below. Before completing the online application, candidates should review the eligibility requirements and prepare a motivation letter that addresses factors influencing sustainable development in Africa. Please visit the FAQs for additional information and instructions.
Prepare a motivation letter
Prepare your resume or CV
Complete the online application
Apply
We will welcome applications for the next class of Junior Professionals in April 2023. Please revisit our webpage at that time to apply.
Timing & Selection Process
We are reviewing applications received for the 2022 program.
Strong candidates will be contacted in August for an in-person interview. We will extend offers to the finalists in September 2022, after conducting background and reference checks. The 2022 Junior Professionals Program will begin in October.
Due to the high volume of applications and rolling basis of the review, candidates will only be contacted if and when they advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Future Opportunities
Advance Your Career
CRS prides itself on growing and supporting female professionals. The Junior Professionals Program, with its emphasis on training, mentorship and hands-on experience, is an extension of that commitment. Participants who successfully complete the program will be equipped to apply for onward positions in program management, program quality, business development, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning, or operations. Hover over the pictures below to hear from some of the talented women who advance CRS’ mission each day.
Respect for human dignity is at the heart of CRS’ mission, both concerning project participants and employees of the agency.
Roseline Sidibé
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Project Manager
CRS Mali
CRS believes in me. I like challenges and CRS gave me the opportunity to acquire new skills such as structuring and designing programs.
Khadidjatou Koumaré
Business Development Specialist
CRS Niger
Since I've been working with CRS, I have had the opportunity to access online training and travel to other countries to share knowledge and learn new skills in a different environment.
Saiminatu Taylor-Thomas
Grants Analyst
CRS United Status
CRS is an organization that believes in its people. In two years I was able to evolve quickly and I was given responsibilities such as participation in the gender committee.
Hadjara Laouali Balla
Communications Manager
CRS Niger
I have confidence because CRS’ management trusts in my potential and gives me the opportunity to lead activities and push my limits.
Mercy Anguah
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Project Manager
CRS Central African Republic
Women in West Africa have a lot to gain from the JPP, and to have their place as a leader, we must seize this opportunity.
Clementine Mayaki
Partnerships and Capacity Building Manager
CRS Niger
Meet the Junior Professionals
The Class of 2021
Driven, passionate, ready to affect positive change in the world. Get to know some of the talented Junior Professionals below.
“I want to change the narrative that women are not capable of serving in managerial roles. I believe that if it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you. I've accepted the challenge.”
Janet Keneah
CRS Liberia
Janet Keneah
Liberia
Janet Keneah had great admiration for accountants, so she decided to study accounting in college in “the department where everybody counts.” Janet carries this attitude into her work as a Junior Professional where she has been strengthening her operations, monitoring & evaluation, and business development skills. She aims to land a position that will bolster her managerial capabilities as she is passionate about changing the narrative around women in management. Janet believes that if it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you. She’s accepted the challenge.
“My greatest motivation in humanitarian work is to help bring smiles and hope to those who have lost them.”
Aminata Camara
CRS Mali
Aminata Camara
Mali
Advocate. Activist. These are just two of the words that describe Aminata Camara and her commitment to promoting issues of equality. A member of women’s organizations and youth associations, Aminata is passionate about the rights of girls, their access to education, and civic engagement. Her community - focused work led her to CRS where she leverages her educational background in geography and policy development to build her skillset in emergency program management.
“This program is an opportunity for me to bring out the best version of myself. With the experience of the JP program I hope to contribute substantially to food security and youth employability in my community.”
Aichatou Ranaou Maiguero
CRS Niger
Aichatou Ranaou Maiguero
Niger
Aichatou Ranaou Maiguero’s focus lies within the nexus between technology and agriculture. She went to school to study industrial computer science, but her true passion is youth and agriculture, specifically agricultural entrepreneurship to tackle food insecurity. Aichatou hopes to spark innovation in the youth employability space by working alongside communities on agriculture related projects with CRS. She is most excited to bring out the best version of herself through strong mentorship and practical learning.
“I hope to gain skills in managing humanitarian and development programs to provide a more just and peaceful environment for the communities we serve.”
Mariama Lamarana Diallo
CRS Guinea
Mariama Lamarana Diallo
Guinea
Mariama Lamarana Diallo has always felt the call to public service. Her dreams of becoming a doctor carried her through her university studies in medicine, where she learned of another path to serve others. Mariama is passionate about supporting just and peaceful environments and is developing her project management skills to do just that. She is also keen to support CRS’ efforts to expand the Junior Professionals Program to continue providing her peers with the opportunity to work in humanitarian and development programming.
Engage With Us
Let's Talk
We encourage you to join us for a webinar on the Junior Professionals Program. Our webinars are an opportunity for you to informally exchange with our team—learn more about CRS and the Junior Professionals Program, ask your questions on the application, etc. We offer webinars on the dates and times listed below. Choose a session that works for you and join by simply clicking on this link or calling +1 443-290-6516, conference ID: 660 694 948#
Information Sessions
March 18, 2022
11:00am–12:00pm GMT
April 4, 2022
9:00am–10:00am GMT
April 20, 2022
11:00am–12:00pm GMT
May 12, 2022
10:00am–11:00am GMT
June 14, 2022
12:00pm–1:00pm GMT
Learn More
More Opportunities
CAREERS
CRS staff, alongside our partners and the people we serve, work daily to bring our mission and guiding principles to life.
INTERNSHIPS
Provides you with the professional experience, knowledge and skills to help you enter the world of international non-governmental organizations.
FELLOWSHIPS
Designed to prepare Fellows for success in a range on onward positions with CRS by providing foundational training.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
CRS is proud to be an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Selection and hiring decisions are made without regard to sex, gender identity, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, veteran status or any other protected area.
We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, due to a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email [email protected].
