Project Officer 205 views0 applications

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.

Function

The Project Officer (PO) is the front-line operative in project implementation at the community level. The PO translate project plans into activities whose outcomes would be measured or evaluated while maintaining accurate and up to date project records. S/he will participate in defining implementation strategies, supervise community facilitators, and coordinate the implementation of project activities by working with communities to meet the objectives of the project. S/he will be involved in technical training and mentoring of beneficiary families and partners and ensuring compliance with the procedures of Heifer.

 

Essential Character Traits

Dependability, diligence, enthusiasm, result-oriented, self-motivated, creative, and resourcefulness

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (30%)

• Collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) unit to develop an appropriate system of monitoring and evaluation that will ensure that all projects within the district are of the highest quality, achieve targeted impact and scale, and that the projects are well documented.
• Ensure the effective development of project operational plans and budgets.
• Ensure that the project is implemented according to plan (monthly activity schedules and workbook) in each district are developed and implemented.
• Ensure that key indicators in the log frame are monitored and achieved.
• Work with the M&E unit to ensure that projects are regularly monitored, evaluated and reported on to ensure that project goals and objectives are met.

DELIVERABLES

• Community Facilitators (CF) capacity on M&E system built on monitoring, data collection, and basic reporting.
• Community plans developed quarterly with project participants through the Participatory Self Review and Planning (PSRP) sessions and family level business planning.
• Baseline surveys facilitated at project onset.
• Progress towards project objectives, results, and activities monitored monthly with plans and activities adjusted as necessary to achieve project goals.
• Monitoring and data collection carried out monthly following the project M&E plan and Heifer guidelines.
• Ensure that projects are managed and closed as per donors’ requirements.
• Regular internal control visits conducted for compliance, quality delivery and judicious use of project resources/assets monthly.
• Sales of farm outputs monitored monthly.

Collaborate with community facilitators/technical partner(s) to plan, strengthen quality project delivery, and social capital development. (25%)

• Ensure that concerned stakeholders understand training curriculum and that knowledge be completely practiced on farms especially but not limited to animal health, husbandry and nutrition sensitive agriculture-related issues.
• Improve animals’ health and husbandry through trained Community Agrovet Entrepreneurs (CAVES).
• Mobilize CAVES and technical experts as appropriate for improving production practices.
• Coaching, guiding and training of CAVES, farmers, and partners in agricultural and livestock production.
• Ensure all farmers are trained in group dynamics and social capital development.
• Ensure groups practice functional savings and loan activities to contribute to project objectives.
• Work in collaboration with Community Facilitators – CFs to ensure quality delivery.

DELIVERABLES

• Detailed training plan created and shared with stakeholders within first six months of project implementation.
• CAVEs trained within first six months of project implementation.
• Farmers trained on animal management and nutrition sensitive agriculture.
• Farmers are trained on social capital development within six months of the project.
• SHGs abilities in implementing savings and loan activities and Parallel Co-Funding – PCF strengthened within six months of project implementation.
• Strengthened collaboration with CF quarterly.
• Quarterly project management meetings organized at Ward level.
• Excellent relationship with stakeholders managed and maintained regularly.
• Quarterly backup or extension or field visits conducted.

Project Development and Management (20%)

• Facilitate the selection and identification of suitable project beneficiaries.
• Take the lead in the preparation of well-written reports, budgets and proposals, which are compatible with the priorities of Heifer International Zimbabwe Country Program.
• Gather information from the grassroots to inform project design.
• Monitor expenditure control within approved project budgets.
• Train farmers in 12 Cornerstones.
• Participate in project planning and implementation.

DELIVERABLES

• Train and sensitize community members and community leaders on all aspects of the project throughout the year.
• Participate in the production of training manuals and other project related documents.
• Bi-annual and annual project review and planning meetings conducted.
• Monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual reports compiled for use at various levels of project management and implementation.
• Potential partners and new opportunities identified and proposed to the Project Coordinator (PC) for potential project development every semester.
• Compliance with donors’ contractual requirements and procedures strengthened monthly.
• Quality financial and narrative reports submitted monthly to the PC in line with both HQ and donor requirements.
• Compliance in procurement processes re-enforced monthly.
• Monthly work plans and budgets submitted.

Facilitate project participants to improve agricultural production and marketing (20%)

• Provide extension services.
• Ensure quality animal health care delivery (prevention and treatment).
• Ensure quality of agriculture production (crops, gardening) oriented on Nutrition.
• Ensure good animal husbandry practices (breeding, nutrition, housing, feeding, watering, fodder, forage production, and forage processing; herd management, animal waste management, and other ecological production methods, etc.).
• Put in place systems with checks and balances to manage value chains integrated into the market systems.

DELIVERABLES

• Facilitate improved livestock and crop production techniques every semester.
• Quality data and information on project activities, impacts and achievements maintained monthly.
• Production and marketing records documented every semester.

May perform other job-related duties as assigned (5%)

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Economics, Development Studies, Business Administration, or a related discipline relevant to community development and
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in a relevant institution, e., a public institution, private sector or local or international NGO, with proven skills in the management and coordination of community, livestock and food security interventions.
• A clean Class 3/4 Drivers’ License is an added advantage.
• Ability to ride and willingness to use a motorbike is a MUST.

 

Preferred Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Community Development, Agriculture or Animal management and health, or a postgraduate qualification in a training field.
• A minimum of three (3) years working with community-based groups and peer farmers.
• Sound knowledge of supervisory project implementation including participatory training approaches.
• Strong experience in group development, savings mobilization, and social capital development.
• Knowledge and experience in the development and application of training manuals and training modules.
• Knowledge and experience in delivery and monitoring the impact of training.