Food Security and Livelihood Project Officer

The Opportunity

Responsible for day-to-day activities of the implementation and the assessment of the project. This position has the role of implementing, following up, and monitoring of implementation of project activities within respective woredas, and securing commitments and accountability for the integrated multi-sector project results in the implementation area. The Officer is responsible for ensuring the multi-sectoral approach and complementarity of interventions of the project towards the intended protection outcomes of the project, ensuring close collaboration and coordination of activities implemented by local partners.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: (Food Security and Livelihood project officer)

Job specific roles and responsibilities 

Job specific roles and responsibilities 

This position has the role of implementing, following up, and monitoring of the project activities in the respective woreda, ensuring close collaboration and coordination with other stakeholders in the woreda  The officer is responsible and accountable for timely implementation of the SC direct implemented activities in the respective woreda (Wasema), in close collaboration with implementing partners and local stakeholders, in line of the project detailed implementation plan. 

 Timely and quality implementation of project activities 

The officer is accountable for timely and quality implementation of the below activities directly implemented by Save the Children. He/ She is also responsible to ensure the complementarity and collective impact of multi-sector project activities contributing towards project outcomes.

• Coordinate gender based violence (GBV) and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) Assessments: The position holder will lead the planning and implementation of GBV assessments and service mapping exercises in target woredas. He/she will also document service gaps, update referral pathways, and share findings with relevant stakeholders and coordination forums.
• Strengthen Coordination and Referral Mechanisms: Facilitate consultations and validation meetings to develop or strengthen operating procedures for GBV and MHPSS referrals. Will also organize and support monthly coordination and review meetings among key protection and GBV actors.
• Support GBV Case Management and MHPSS Integration: Facilitate integration of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services within targeted health facilities. In addition, She/he will support health workers and partners to provide survivor-centered GBV response and psychosocial care.
• Establish Safe and Inclusive Spaces for Women and Girls: Coordinate the establishment and functionality of two Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) in health centers. Ensure the spaces provide psychosocial support, life skills training, and referral services for survivors.
• Conduct Capacity Building and Training Programs: Organize and facilitate ToTs in close collaboration with the programme manager and thematic advisors, including on psychosocial resilience, safe families, gender mainstreaming, and climate-smart agriculture, and other capacity building activities identified by the capacity assessment. Furthermore, will build capacity of project staff, extension workers, and community structures on safeguarding, PSEA, and safe programming.
• Promote Gender Equality and Community Engagement: Facilitate community-level awareness and campaign sessions with leaders, teachers, students, and health workers on GBV prevention and response. Support the formation and strengthening of women’s advocate groups, child and youth-friendly facilities, and community dialogue platforms.
• Enhance Livelihood and Socio-Economic Reintegration Activities: Support the design and implementation of livelihood recovery activities for GBV survivors, including poultry, apiculture, small ruminant restocking, and crop production. Will also be responsible to facilitate community consultations and ensure revolving fund systems are managed transparently.

• Support Socio-Economic Empowerment of Survivors: Oversees provision of business development and financial literacy training for self-help groups (SHGs) and GBV survivors and guide the customization of community-based income-generating activity (IGA) guidelines and ensure gender-responsive approaches.

  Collaboration and coordination with stakeholders

• Ensure close coordination and complementarity of project activities with and across partners, including ensuring complementarity of project activities implemented with local partners towards collective outcomes to project target beneficiaries
• Facilitate Multi-Sectoral Coordination and Networking: Engage with local government offices, implementing partners, NGOs, and UN agencies to promote inclusive and equitable access to GBV protection, MHPSS and livelihood services 
• Represent the project in technical working groups and cluster coordination forums as appropriate.

Assessment, documentation and monitoring 

• Ensure Accountability, MEAL, and Quality Standards working closely with the area office MEAL focal person: Participate in Joint Supportive Supervision (JSS), quality benchmark monitoring, and accountability system strengthening, including of partner implemented project activities working closely with the programme manager, area manager, CP and Education Manager, and area MEAL focal person. Will also be responsible to support MEAL and gender specialists in data collection, reporting, and documentation of project results and lessons learned.
• Support Documentation, Reporting, and Knowledge Sharing: Prepare periodic technical reports, case studies, and best practices related to GBV prevention, protection, and reintegration.
• Provide regular progress report to the Project coordinator as per the requirement
• Prepare monthly and quarterly plans for monitoring, review and quarterly and annual project reports and plans
• Ensure timely and quality preparation for project monitoring visits by donors, government stakeholders, and country office management staff. 

Other

• Be fully aware of how far the project fulfils child rights in terms of SCI’s strategic and thematic plans.  Ensure that Child Rights programming is effectively incorporated into all aspects of SCI’s work
• Organize meetings to sensitize communities about the purpose and modalities of the food security and livelihoods project
• Participate and lead development beneficiary prioritization and selection criteria jointly with partners and community stakeholders, and ensure accountable selection of beneficiaries per the agreed Criteria
• Works closely with implementing partners to oversee quality of work and provide technical support 
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications and Experience Required

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Food security and livelihood, Health, Development Studies, or a related field (Master’s degree is an advantage).
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in food security and livelihood ,GBV prevention and response, protection, or women’s empowerment projects, preferably in humanitarian or conflict-affected settings.
• Proven experience in implementing projects on areas of GBV and MHPSS, and GBV prevention and response interventions 
• Proven skills in livelihoods and socio-economic reintegration programming for GBV survivors and vulnerable communities.
• Strong coordination, facilitation, and report writing abilities, with experience engaging local government and community structures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of humanitarian protection principles, including PSEA, safeguarding, gender equality, and Do No Harm approaches.
• Proven ability to manage a complex and demanding workload
• Excellent Report Writing and English proficiency skills
• Experience and knowledge of pastoral context preferably Afar region
• Knowledge of Afar language is mandatory
• Good advocacy, communication, presentation and facilitation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to train and mentor staff
• Work experience in diverse international NGOs is an asset
• Ability and willingness to travel and work in rural areas where the project is implemented
• Qualified Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITY 

• Position holder must have good interpersonal skills & excellent team player
• Knowledge of the local language (Afar language)
• Makes day-to-day operational decisions related to project implementation, coordination, and activity planning within established policies and procedures.
• Exercises sound judgment in adapting project activities to local contexts while ensuring compliance with donor and organizational standards.
• Provides technical recommendations on GBV case management, livelihood support, and community engagement, referring complex or sensitive issues to the Project Manager.
• Collaborates with partners, government counterparts, and community structures to ensure timely and effective decision-making for smooth project delivery.
• Able to work in line with strict adherence of specific policies and supervisor’s direction.
• Able to solve problems by selecting the most suitable procedure or method within guidelines and precedents; direction sought when solutions not within established guidelines or precedents
• Participate and strengthen the woreda level coordination platforms.

Scope & complexity of decision making 

 Desirable

• Good Understanding and experience in Budget Management
• Work experience in facilitation, partnership development, networking and supporting livelihood development. 
• Ability to travel throughout the focus zone, woredas, kebele and other rural areas as needed.
• Strong results orientation.
• Experience in multi-sectoral coordination.
• Proven project technical field staff management skill with professional certificate in project management is an added advantage.
• Ability to manage complex and demanding workload.
• Experience in NGO setup. 
• Experience working in the Afar region and understanding of local context.

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. 

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday 
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated 

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued. 

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.  A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/careers

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.