JOB DESCRIPTIONPosition: Officer II, Project
Department: Programs
Number of Positions: 3
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
Job Location: Kenema, Kono, and Kailahun Districts
Report to: Project Coordinator
About the Project:
ChildFund has received grant funding from TRADIN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE BV as part of the Sierra Leone Agro-Tech Development Support. The grant funding should support an increase in Fair-trade-(Regenerative)-Organic cocoa yields and farmer living income, increase farmer income and food security through agroforestry and decrease dependency of loans under implementation cluster four with specific aims at a sustained and further expanding agroforestry through effective financial management with Village Saving and Loan Associations at community-level.
ChildFund will establish 45 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) for proper financial management and connect the VSLA’s to the Farmer Field Schools to be established as part of the project and to monitor and report on these actions. The establishment of the 45 VSLA’s will be done in two years, 25 in the first year (January 2024 – December 2024) and 20 in the second year (January – 2025- December 2025) in 3 districts (Kenema, Kono and Kailahun). The establishment of the 45 additional VSLA’s is a continuation of the Integrated community-based approach to Combating Child Labour Project (FBK) from 2021-2023. ChildFund will be implementing this grant and coordinate with IQSMA Solutions and Tradin Organic Sierra Leone in the project administration and monitoring, ensuring a smooth implementation of the project activities in the areas where Tradin Sierra Leone is actively sources cocoa.
About the Role
Reporting to the Project Coordinator, the Project Officer will be responsible for the day -to-day direct implementation of all components of the project activities within targeted communities in Kailahun, Kono and Kenema Districts.
Specific Responsibilities
ChildFund International is committed to a workplace culture that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Furthermore, ChildFund International is committed to ensuring a workplace that safeguards and protects all children, including preventing their sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as preventing the sexual exploitation and abuse of its staff, partners, and program participants.
- S/he will be responsible for mobilizing community stakeholders and Tradin Organic Farmer Field School (FFS) members for the establishment of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) in targeted beneficiary communities.
- Carry out on the ground facilitation of VSLA trainings in targeted communities, community engagement and mobilization
- Working with the Project Coordinator, s/he will collect reliable monitoring data form the VSLA groups on a weekly and or monthly basis in a timely manner
- Coach and support VSLA Management Committees for proper meeting sessions and recording of transactions.
- Work with community support structures to ensure that children are protected from harm, abuse, exploitation and neglect, especially against child labour.
- Actively participate in capacity building opportunities and share learning and experiences with project partners and the wider project team.
- Support the Project Management team by representing ChildFund International – Sierra Leone at any related district level and chiefdom level coordination meetings as and when required.
- Acts as liaison between ChildFund and other stakeholders, and between beneficiaries and communities at the district level.
- Ensures project plans are executed in a timely manner and share updates on progress and challenges.
- Compile and document monthly and quarterly project reports and submit to Project Coordinator in a timely manner.
- 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.
- Any other duty assigned
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 community level across all stakeholder levels through effective mobilization and coordination.
- Strong training facilitation, coordination and networking skills
- Ability to solve problems, particularly in challenging situations
- Cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
General Qualifications and Experience
- ChildFund 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 3 years of relevant or similar experiences and a thorough knowledge of VSLA practices.
- Possession of diploma, higher diploma or its equivalent from a reputable institution/university plus 5 years of experience working in similar sector especially with VSLAs.
Our Safeguarding Commitment and 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.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
ChildFund International is committed to safeguarding the interests, rights, and well-being of children with whom it is in contact and to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for children.
