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, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau. Follow the links below to learn about CRS’ history and current work in each location.
Click on the image to enlarge it
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. 2024)
- At least 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 25% of the time)
- Willingness to be based in field offices outside of the capital city during JPP program year and after program completion
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.
Prepare a motivation letter
(please refer to FAQ for writing prompt)
Prepare CV
Complete the online application
Apply
We will welcome applications for the next class of Junior Professionals in April 2025. Please revisit our webpage at that time to apply.
Senegal is no longer hosting the program for the 2024 - 2025 year.
Timing & Selection Process
We are reviewing applications received for the 2024 program.
Strong candidates will be contacted in August for an in-person interview. We will extend offers to the finalists in September, after conducting background and reference checks. The 2024 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.
Meet the Recent Graduates
JPP ALUMNAE
Junior Professionals excel in a variety of positions with CRS upon completion of the practical learning program. Get to know some of our talented former participants below and discover what positions they assumed following the program.
Janet Coleman
Procurement Officer
Liberia – Class of 2022
Janet Coleman had great admiration for accountants, so she decided to study accounting in college, “the department where everybody counts.” Janet carried this attitude into her work as a Junior Professional where she strengthened her operations, monitoring & evaluation, and business development skills. Janet is passionate about changing the narrative around women in management. She believes that if it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you. She’s accepted the challenge.
Janet Thorley
Communications Assistant
Sierra Leone – Class of 2023
Janet’s focus lies within the nexus between gender equity and public policy. Prior to joining CRS, she worked on research and community development projects with Rainbow Initiative in Sierra Leone. A strong advocate for women’s empowerment, Janet hopes to continue promoting gender and youth initiatives. In her personal time, Janet enjoys reading, watching movies and cooking.
Yasmine Toure
Shelter Project Officer, Emergency
Burkina Faso – Class of 2023
Yasmine discovered her passion for humanitarian aid via her love for the environment. She began her career working in water and sanitation and never imagined it would lead her to CRS. Yasmine leverages her technical experience and project management skills by serving on water and sanitation related initiatives.
Aminata Camara
Microfinance Officer
Mali – Class of 2022
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.
Charifatou Sama Idrissa Yarou
MEAL Assistant, Emergency
Niger – Class of 2023
Charifatou describes herself as a community leader and humanitarian. She is passionate about volunteering and serving marginalized communities. Charifatou enjoys a challenge and values the learning process behind creating positive change. She looks forward to advancing CRS' mission by contributing to the organization's peacebuilding and youth development sectors.
Awa Ndour
Project Officer, Programs
Senegal – Class of 2023
Awa strongly believes in the power of agriculture to boost economic development. After pursuing a master's degree in agrobusiness, Awa worked at a fruit and vegetable exporting company for several years. She is keen to develop her project management skills with the goal of supporting her community to live in peace, security and dignity through better health, increased income, and access to quality education.
Kadiatou Bah
MEAL Officer, Global Fund
Guinea – Class of 2023
Kadiatou, a medical doctor by trade, is passionate about serving humanity. She believes there is no wealth more precious than the human being and has dedicated her career to investing in her community. Kadiatou aims to build her skills in MEAL and humanitarian program management and looks forward to pushing her limits to maximize her learning.
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.
I joined CRS to apply my knowledge to the effective management of resources to serve the most vulnerable. I find satisfaction when I see a child’s smile after a meal at the school canteen, when CRS receives work in a village or when I see the joy in the face of an elderly man, woman, or child.
Estelle Nikiema
Finance Manager
CRS Burkina Faso
Since my arrival at CRS, I have grown so much professionally. To date, I have served in 3 successive positions under one project. These experiences have allowed me to set an ambitious goal to become a Deputy Chief of Party which I am proud to be occupying in an interim role.
Aissatou Bobo Bah
Deputy Chief of Party, Global Fund Malaria
CRS Guinea
CRS offers excellent career development opportunities for staff by investing in their employees’ growth while conveying human values with respect to human dignity. Additionally, managers push you to give the best of yourself while focusing on the wellbeing of the staff. A framework for success for all staff!
Ndeye Thioro Faye
Youth Technical Advisor
CRS Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau
I choose to work at CRS because of the capacity building experience, learning opportunities, flexible work schedule and dedicated team. I started at the agency as an intern with a 6-month contract and now I am currently serving as an Officer. I also have benefited from the education assistance scheme as I am currently pursuing my MSc in Procurement, Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
Daniella Coker
Procurement Officer
CRS Sierra Leone
CRS is a great place to work, learn, and grow. The culture here is more than just work. I get to serve humanity, learn lots of new skills while at it, and share a family environment with co-workers. There is a genuine spirit of shared goals and collaboration throughout the agency.
Comfort Sawyer-Baysah
Livelihoods Program Manager
CRS Liberia
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
ALLRight Funds Manager
CRS Niger
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
April 24th, 2024
3:00pm - 4:00pm GMT
May 16th, 2024
11:00am - 12:00pm GMT
June 10th 2024
9:00am - 10:00am 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].
