Project Officer-Falaba

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 Officer

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:                              Falaba District

Reporting Relationship:           Project Coordinator.

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 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 the 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 Officer to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the Strengthening for Improved Food Security and Sustained Income project in Falaba district funded by BMZ

OVERALL PURPOSE

Daindemben Federation will be implementing an Agricultural Project mainly on cassava value chain strengthening for Improved Food Security and Sustained Income in Falaba district. This project is funded by ChildFund Deutschland e. V. Therefore, the responsible person will be responsible for the day -to-day direct implementation of all components of the project activities within targeted communities in Falaba district. 

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. ENHANCED CAPACITY FOR INCLUSIVE MANAGEMENT

• Responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the BMZ Project at field level with leadership, monitoring and reporting roles.
• To foster strong cooperation among stakeholders for quality, effective and sustainable program delivery in serving targeted beneficiaries.
• Proper collaboration with state and non-state actors for effective implementation of Project design and evaluation and impact assessment.
• Work closely with Farmers Federation through Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Food Security (MAFS) to Identify and select Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs), support them to form inclusive management committees.
• Conduct capacities needs assessment to provide training for basic literacy and numeracy and conflict management techniques as well as environmental safety and self-protection. Provide institutional, technical and leadership development training of local FBOs.
• Ensure improved FBO capacity through relevant trainings in line with project output i.e.  cassava production, post- harvest, handling, processing and marketing, climate smart agriculture and improvement of agronomic practices on cassava; Train FBOs in the use of cassava waste to produce nutrition mushroom, baby cereals and animal feed etc.).
• Identify and link FBOs with private sector companies/ individuals interested in cassava processing and input providers.
• Support FBOs with the development of business plans for construction and equipment of processing facilities. 
• Provide training of FBOs on maintenance of cassava processing facilities,
• Training of FBOs in the cassava value chain (processing, marketing, branding and food safety standards) (TOT)
• Ensure FBOs have increased access, training and linkage to low- interest financing from Village Savings &Loan Associations (VS&LAs) and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) for cassava business with start -up kits.

2. CHILD PROTECTION AND WELL BEING.

• The Project Officer will take the lead to support FBO and FBO communities and children to deliver key trainings and awareness raising sessions with a child protection Lens through the media and community mobilization i.e. (positive parenting skills, child development, access to free Health care and education etc.).
• Development and distribution of IEC Materials (Job aids, posters, brochures) on child labor. 
• Train Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) on child protection and referral pathways

3. OPERATIVE AND ADVOCACY CAPACITIES OF BOTH LOCAL PARTNERS ARE IMPROVED

• Conducting in- depth, project specific OCA
• Train project staff in best practices to promote gender, people with disabilities and social inclusion in economic and livelihood programs.
• Training of project administrative staff in financial management and reporting
• Work in close collaboration with the Advocacy and Child Protection Manager in the review of relevant policies and legal frameworks for policy advocacy in the cassava value chain.
• Regular monitoring visits for continuous monitoring of capacity development

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 inter-personal 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 & 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 or its equivalent from a reputable institution /university 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 Livelihood/ Food Security and Gender Mainstreaming.

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.