Job Description

Position: Project Officer 
Locations:  Al-Hudaydah
Technical Supervisor: Project Coordinator.   
Vacancy Reference Number: POE/HOD-SHR

PURPOSE OF DIVISION:

The Food Security and Livelihood (FSL) Programs Division closely works with the country program team in identifying, planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating development and emergency projects and in collaboration with local, national, and international partners. 
Currently, FSL Program Division focuses on the Recovery and Development of strategic areas and supports communities to develop a sustainable livelihood, coherent microfinance system and food security based on social cohesion and community participation to support communities affected by conflict, natural and man-made disasters. The overall objectives of the FSL division are to alleviate poverty and suffering of human kinds by providing them with long-term sustainable programs, improve the health conditions of the targeted beneficiaries, and increase access to food for vulnerable families through involvement in conditional cash interventions such as Cash for Work (CFW), Agricultural Assistance and SME’s increase households income, and rehabilitees food security assets in areas with a high level of food insecurity.

JOB PURPOSE: 

Islamic Relief Yemen (IRY) is implementing Strengthening Households’ Resilience in Al-Hudayda governorates -Alluheyah district. Therefore, IRY is seeking a potential field project officer to implement, operate, and control the project activities mainly in the cash for work- community contract work specifically for health facilities constructions. It is worth to mention that this post will be based on project application approval by doners.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Job Responsibilities:

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.

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.
• Prepare the technical studies along with the project staff 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.
• Cross checks technical designs and project documents prepared by consultants.
• 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.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor the implementation of project activities and identify any challenges or issues that may arise.

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 stockholders 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.

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.

Reporting:

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

PERSON SPECIFICATION

A) EDUCATION/TRAINING 

Required:

• University degree in civil, architecture, structural engineering or other disciplines relevant to the post.

B) EXPERIENCE  

Required:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience working within the context of community development activities (CFW and/or community-based contract) with INGOs/NGOs.
• Experience using participatory approaches in community engagement (mapping, prioritizing, evaluating, etc.).
• Experience supervising others (workforce and contractors) and managing their performance.

C) Competencies 

Knowledge and Skills:

Required

• Ability to diplomatically and sensitively resolve conflicts within and between communities/stakeholders. 
• Proficiency in using project management software tools (e.g., MS Project). 
• Experience writing and compiling narrative and analytical reports in English.
• Proficiency in computer applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as well as engineering programs (Auto CAD, Civil pro ... etc.)
• Good command in English (speaking, writing, reading, and typing) is essential. 

Desirable 

• Ability to make decisions immediately and in a very short span of time.
• National level representation with key stakeholders and co-ordination with another NGOs/UN.
• Able to work with the minimum level of supervision.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines. 
• Communication skills to operate with a multinational and multilingual team.
• Knowledge of the areas of intervention (Al-Hudayda) and ability to relate with stakeholders.
• 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.
• Relevant trainings on the delivery of FSL components.

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):

• Formulating Strategies and Concepts.
• 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 

• The position may require travel to remote areas where projects are implemented; flexibility in working hours may be necessary based on project demands.