Project Coordinator

Job Description

DAINDEMBENFEDERATION

KOINADUGU PROGRAM AREA

(PARTNER TO CHILDFUND SL)

33A KOINADUGU ROAD, YOGOMAIA – KABALA.

E-Mail baidawo@daindembensl.org Tel:(+232) 76 609-066

VACANCY ADVERT

                                                                                                            Date: 7th May, 2024.

Job Title:                                   Project Coordinator

Department:                              Programs

Employment Type:                 Full-time (Fixed Term)

Duration:                             1 Year (with possibility of renewal depending on performance 

                                                    and availability of funds)

Expected Start Date:                 May 2024

Duty station:                               Kabala- Koinadugu District

Reporting Relationship:            Federation Program Manager

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Daindemben Federation implementing a Child Sponsorship and Community Driven Development Programs is a Local Partner to ChildFund Sierra Leone.  The word “Daindemben” is derived from Kuranko and Madingo languages meaning ‘Help the child’.  The program area is found in the least served districts (Koinadugu and Falaba) in terms of social services in the country.  The Federation operates in eight chiefdoms: Morifindugu, Kamadugu Yiraia and Dembelia Sinkunia in Falaba District and Wara Wara Yagala, Kasunko, GbonkoboKayaka, Thamso and Sengbeh in Koinadugu District.  The main ethnic tribes are Kuranko, Yalunka, Limba, Fullah and Madingo.  The program office is located in Kabala in the Northern Province, about 314 km from Freetown, the country’s capital.

Daindemben Federation has been very effective, transparent and accountable through working closely with other partners (Line Ministries, Community Associations, Village development committees, School Management structures, parents, local authorities, Child Welfare Committees etc.). The Federation’s shared history and future trajectories are inextricably bound. The Federation believes that by acting in partnership will have a multiplier effect on society reaching marginalized and vulnerable children directly, but also involving parents and other civil society actors who are responsible for upholding child rights. Working with a combination of community structures, communities are able to respond in locally relevant ways to the challenges of growing up poor, and this contextualization of Daindemben Federation’s programming maximizes its impact. Since 2005, Daindemben Federation’s Strategy which is aligned to ChildFund’s strategy has focused on building a strong and efficient program. Experience has shown that in order to achieve a strong and efficient program, communities’ intentions must be aligned with Daindemben Federation’s core intent & core outcomes, and the Federation must be able to design and implement programs that meet an acceptable standard of program quality. At the same time, the organization needs to be nimble and responsive to a variety of types of other local players, and to be clear about what value it brings to its relationships. Daindemben ability to transform the lives of children and the society in which they live, as well as its legitimacy as a CBO, is tied to the quality of its relationship with stakeholders. 

Daindemben Federation has been contributing to the achievement of Sierra Leone’s strategic plans through ChildFund’s Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation of children, families and communities to attain sustainable peace and progressive standards of living.  Daindemben Federation therefore is seeking a Project Coordinator to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the Strengthening for Improved Food Security and Sustained Income project in Koinadugu, Falaba and Bombali Districts funded by BMZ. 

OVERALL PURPOSE:

Daindemben Federation in Koinadugu and Falaba districts and Munafa M’Patie in Bombali district will be implementing an Agricultural Project mainly on cassava value chain strengthening for Improved Food Security and Sustained Income. This project is funded by ChildFund Deutschland e. V. Therefore, the responsible person will oversee and coordinate the implementation of the project in its entirety i.e. (improved income, food security and child protection) in the three districts.  This will include provision of effective leadership, planning, overall management, monitoring, technical and financial reporting and facilitating linkages and synergies between partners and district’s targeted capacity strengthening of local partners.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

PROGRAM QUALITY

• Implementation of gender-sensitive project activities: Design project activities in such a way that they accommodate the typical responsibilities and preferences of women in the household (time, place, language, group composition during trainings)
• Clear definition of ownership of crop production and processing activities: Careful selection of the business approach that best suits the local context.
• Careful selection of Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs) for inclusion in the project: e.g. FBOs established with a focus on business or savings objectives; qualified and motivated individuals within FBOs.
• Incorporation of lessons learned from past projects: Learn from best practices of two successful associations in cassava processing and vegetables; proactively prevent challenges of Agriculture Business Centers and cocoa processing centers in Koinadugu district.
• Further develop the inclusion and leadership of innovative women and youth: Actively work with FBOs that already include women and youth in key roles and seek to ensure that women and youth are included in leadership positions in all FBOs.
• Ensure culturally appropriate child protection activities: Child protection inclusive and no top-down teaching methods; utilize ChildFund’s existing Community Based Child Protection Mechanisms (CBCPM) process; capacity building for existing Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and activities to facilitate understanding between FBOs and CWCs.

TEAM/TALENT MANAGEMENT:

• Ensure strong project management: Provide overall leadership technical oversight in the implementation and management of the project 
• Support partner’s capacity building for all project activities. 
• Provide guidance, training, and support to training to ensure adequate skills and competencies for their roles and project delivery.
• Establish good communications with all partners.

3. PROGRAM REVIEW

• Facilitate the review and adjustment of annual implementation plans for the objectives of project interventions to ensure that annual performance indicators and program quality standards are met.

• Ensure project reports are consolidated and submitted on time and with quality.
• Review the action plan and project activities to ensure interventions carried out as specified in the project document.
• Provide technical support necessary to determine the strategic direction of the project.
• Lead and support field supportive monitoring of project implementation.

4. CONSTRUCTION, INVESTMENTS/ PROCESSING UNIT

• Liaise with Finance & Admin department for the setting up of office space for staff in both Core Partners’ offices in Koinadugu and Bombali districts (Daindemben Federation in Kabala and Munafa M’Patie in Binkolo-Makeni)
• Ensure the use of appropriate technical processing strategies: Locally produced processing technology and avoidance of high-tech or imported systems.
• Ensuring economic feasibility: Cost-benefit analysis for processing units
• Work closely with contractors/ technicians for the thorough assessment of the various sites for suitability for construction of the facilities.
• Provide Technical support to FBOs for the development of business plans for processing facilities.
• Organize annual exposure visits to existing cassava processing facilities.
• Fabrication of informational signs for the project

5. GENDER -INCLUSIVE PARTICIPATION

• Ensure that communities are actively engaged in a gender-inclusive manner, with a specific focus on advancing women’s strategic interests. 
• Organize gender-focused training and will work to sensitize project participants regarding gender in a culturally appropriate manner to minimize and address gender-based violence issues.

6. NETWORKING & COLLABORATION

• Works closely with the District Council, Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Education and the Family Support Unit of the Sierra Leone Police at district and Community level in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of project activities.

COMPETENCIES:

• Must be computer literate with reasonable proficiency in using Microsoft packages (Word, Excel, Power Point etc)
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Proficiency in project planning, implementation and Reporting (essential)
• Ability to maintain good interpersonal relationships with colleagues
• Ability to coordinate several tasks within a given timeframe
• Ability to ride a motorbike in difficult terrains and possession of a valid rider’s license
• Experience working at the community level across all stakeholder levels 
• Strong training facilitation, coordination and networking skills
• Very good report-writing skills
• Ability to solve problems, particularly in challenging situations
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Daindemben Federation seeks a highly committed and adaptable individual with a record of accomplishment for delivering quality results and experience of working in remote communities. 
• The individual must be able to function independently and flexibly in a swift manner.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

• A bachelor’s degree in rural development, agriculture, social work, project management and/or related fields with a minimum of 5 years of relevant or similar experiences and a thorough knowledge of project management with technical expertise in Livelihood/Food Security & Gender mainstreaming. 
• Possession of Bachelor’s Degree or higher from a reputable institution/university plus 5 years of experience working in similar sector especially Livelihood/Food Security and Gender

Our SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT & RESPONSIBILITY

ChildFund is committed to safeguarding the interest, rights, and well-being of children and other project participants with whom it is in contact and to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe. You are therefore required to remain alert and responsive to any safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding Policy. 

The Project Coordinator should work in close collaboration with ChildFund’s Child Protection and Advocacy Manger to ensure that project staff and beneficiaries are aware of ChildFund’s Safeguarding policy and the risks and implications in implementation of the project.

 NOTE: 

• Daindemben Federation is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for Daindemben Federation is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold Daindemben values
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Job application procedure

Interested candidates should submit by hand their application letters and CVs bearing three references with contact details (telephone and e-mail) as well as photocopies of academic documents to the following addresses:

1. ChildFund Office

84 Regent Road

Hill Station

Freetown

OR

Daindemben Federation Office

33 Koinadugu Road 

Yogomaia

Kabala.

Applications should be addressed to; 

The Federation Board Chairman 

Daindemben Federation

33 Koinadugu Road

Yogomaia

  Kabala

CLOSING DATE FOR THE RECEIPT OF ALL APPLICATIONS IS ON OR BEFORE TUESDAY, 21st MAY, 2024. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED FOR INTERVIEW.

ONLY SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.