Job Description

Position: Project Officer (Livelihoods)
Locations:  Al-Hudaydah
Technical Supervisor: Filed Project Coordinator
Vacancy Reference Number: POL-HOD/24

PURPOSE OF DIVISION:

The Programmes Division of the Food Security and Livelihood (FSL) team closely works with the country programme team in identifying, planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating development and emergency projects and programmes in collaboration with local, national, and international partners. The overall objectives of the FSL division are to alleviate the poverty and suffering of communities affected by conflict, civil war, and natural and man-made disasters through rehabilitating/protecting critical community infrastructure, developing sustainable livelihoods, and improving food security and health outcomes. Our programmes, conducted in collaboration with international donors, INGOs, and UN agencies and which include cash for work (CfW), agricultural assistance, developing coherent microfinance systems and new small/micro-businesses, and rehabilitating food security assets, aim to increase access to food, boost household food production, increase household income, restore and create employment opportunities, and reduce malnutrition rates of women and children. We work in areas with a high level of food insecurity and where livelihood assets are near collapse. In such areas, coping strategies are almost exhausted, leading to extreme coping behaviors like sale of houses, land, and productive assets and further compromising household food security status.

JOB PURPOSE: 

Islamic Relief Yemen (IRY) is implementing Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) project in Al Hudaydah Governorate. Therefore, we are seeking a potential project officer to implement the project activities.
    
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Job Responsibilities:

A.    Community Mobilization

• Sensitize local authorities and communities to the project’s objectives, activities, and selection criteria.
• Review and develop beneficiary selection criteria with government, local authorities, and community members to identify project beneficiaries according to IRY’s and food insecure vulnerability and target criteria.
• Organize and run community meetings and workshops in a participatory and inclusive manner, to ensure that project activities are developed in consultation with communities.
• Conduct training as necessary for a range of community stakeholders and structures.  
• Take into account the structures of local government and communities and ensure all project activities have considered the needs of children, women, vulnerable groups, and the environment.
• Be in regular contact with communities, to link them to IRY and ensure transparency and information sharing.
• Lead in conflict resolution of disputes between communities and members related to IRY project activities.

B.    Activity Implementation:

• Planning – ensure good planning exists through timely sharing of procurement needs, development of field-level activities, as well have plans for responding to risks and issues that arise or will arise.
• Mainstream protection and safety of project staff and communities’ stakeholders through the implementation of IRY safeguarding principles, identification of risk and working out clear plans, working closely with community structures to minimize risks to beneficiaries.
• Cross-checks technical designs and project documents prepared by consultants and suggests technical improvements.
• To ensure that the planned material distributions (small grants, conditional cash, unconditional cash transfer, Agricultural inputs, livelihoods inputs) are conducted timely and beneficiaries receive without hindrances.
• Prepare the technical studies along with the project engineer for the selected assets and submit a detailed report of the required construction tools and materials, the engineering specifications, and BOQs, as well as the estimated cost, supported by the engineering pictures and drawings.
• Coordinate and follow-up with the Procurement and Logistics Department to complete the implementation procedures.
• Plan project construction activities in coordination with the project coordinator and within the project timeline and available resources.
• Ensure the technical documents are based on national and international standards and codes of practice and based on the mandatory safety and health requirements.
• Ensure local authorities and communities have been sensitized to the project’s objectives, activities, and selection criteria and that these processes have been adhered to during project selection. 
• Carry out initial site assessments and feasibility feedback on project options to assist in prioritization processes.
• Verify that project activities are developed in consultation with communities and ensure all project activities have considered the needs of children, women, vulnerable groups, and the environment. 
• Monitor the implementation of the cash-based intervention, track progress, and document lessons learned and best practices.
• Prepare monthly implementation plans and ensure that project data is collected in a timely and accurate manner and that data quality is maintained throughout the project.
• Analyze project data and prepare regular progress reports, highlighting achievements, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.
• Apply Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Finance, Human Resources Management, Procurement, Logistical services.
• Monitor the implementation of project activities and identify any challenges or issues that may arise.

C.    Coordination:

• Ensure close coordination, information sharing, and regular field-level meetings with partners, FSAC, and local authorities. As measures to reduce duplication of activities, as well as achieve strong activity integrations.
• Coordinate with other project officers to ensure that activities are carried out in line with community needs.
• Coordinate with the relevant government ministries to ensure compliance and good relations. 
• Support the integration and communication with other sectors: WASH, FSL, and Health activities.
• Participate in Field Office meetings with management and other departments, as required.
• Develop good relations with community leaders and other community structures like volunteer groups, as well as maintain a strong relationship and engagement with other departments like finance, logistics and fleet, supply chain, safety, and security, etc.

D.    Assessment, Monitoring, Evaluation, & Quality Control:

• Lead all field-level assessment activities working closely with MEAL teams focusing on market assessment, household, and communities socio-economic assessment, etc.
• Work with the M&E to ensure a project progress database is complete and regularly updated.
• Assist the M&E team in creating appropriate monitoring tools for project impact, quality, Post Distribution Monitoring, and measurement of IPTT indicator tracking. Focus on quality control checks for each project type.
• Conduct regular feedback sessions with the M&E Officer and Accountability Assistants to ensure that all findings are addressed, and adjustments made to the project throughout implementation.
• Carry out regular implementation monitoring and submit relevant reports to the Program Manager.
• Implement MEAL project quality visits recommendations as measures to improve service delivery.
• Working closely with the Accountability team, to ensure the rollout of IRY toll-free numbers, banners, flyers, etc. in all communities where projects are implemented.

E.    Reporting:

• Compile and write weekly, and monthly progress reports and IPTT monthly reports (narrative and data) in English.
• Assist in all interim and final narrative reports. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

A) EDUCATION/TRAINING 

Required:

• University degree in business development, social science or other disciplines relevant to livelihoods. 

B) EXPERIENCE  

Required:

• At least 2 years’ experience working in Livelihood’s activities within NGO in a similar position.
• Minimum 1 year experience in SMEs.

C) Competencies 

Skills and Knowledge:

• English and Arabic language proficiency (writing, speaking, and reading).
• Experience using participatory approaches in community engagement (mapping, prioritizing, evaluating, etc.).
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively to the field, under sometimes difficult and insecure circumstances.
• Ability to organize time, manage multiple tasks, and analyze information from many sources.
• Attention to detail and compliance with selection criteria and financial processes.
• Communication skills to operate with a multinational and multilingual team.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines. 
• Proficiency in computer applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Other COMPETENCIES
 
Core Values (Required):

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core Competencies (Required):

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results
• Team player and collaboration.
• Interpersonal skills, contributing to team success, and developing teams.
• Problem-solving.

Functional Competencies (Required):

• Data analysis. 
• Negotiating.
• Planning and organization.

Safeguarding 

• Understanding of and commitment to safeguarding, child safety, and protection from sexual abuse and exploitation principles.

PROBLEM-SOLVING (Thinking Environment)

• Ability to deal with a complex situation and solve issues and problems 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND LEVEL OF TRAVEL REQUIRED 

This position is located in Al Hudaydah - Yemen, with visits to project sites based on need.