Position: Project Officer, PIP (Hope Project) National Position

Reports to: Project Coordinator – HOPE Project

Job location: Kiryandongo Refugee settlement

Starting date: July 2025

Vacancy closing date: 25th June 2025

Duration position: 1-year renewable contract

Working hours: Fulltime (40 hours per week)

About ZOA

We are here for people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster.

ZOA, as an international NGO, supports people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster. Together, we can come to their aid in emergencies and remain faithful to communities as they recover – providing new opportunities for them to help themselves again. The work of ZOA is coordinated from the Netherlands. We are active in multiple countries in Africa, South America, the Middle East Region, and Asia. We work with approximately 900 employees worldwide and with (local) partners. We invite you to join our team of committed colleagues.

Our work in Uganda

In Uganda, ZOA has offices in Kampala, West Nile (Arua), Acholi (Gulu), and Karamoja (Amudat). ZOA Uganda works both in relief and recovery on the themes of food security & livelihoods, education, and conflict management with a special focus on land Rights.

About the Hope Project

The HOPE project’s overall objective is to support communities to have hope and live peaceful, dignified lives. This is achieved through four integrated approaches including: Household participatory planning (PIP), land tenure security (CCOs and land tenancy agreements), MHPSS services and Water and sanitation service provision. The project adopts a gender transformative approach with women at the centre of all interventions. The project runs for 4.5 years starting in mid-2025.

ZOA Uganda is looking for a Project Officer to be based in Kiryandongo Office.

Your challenge

The Project Officer, PIP – HOPE with support from the Project Coordinator, and working alongside other Project Officers, is responsible for day to day planning and implementation of the ZOA activities under the HOPE project, in Kiryandongo settlement and the surrounding host communities of Kiryandongo district. The PO will mobilize and train farmers in the Participatory Integrated Plan (PIP) approach, support and supervise the scale up of PIP to other farmers through farmer to farmer training, and support farmers’ linkages to viable markets. The Project Officer is a keen facilitator and enthusiastic community mobiliser able to inspire change in households without external inputs/motivation.

The Project Officer will also work closely alongside other ZOA livelihood project teams, to ensure coordinated and integrated support to project participants.

Your main tasks and responsibilities

Project planning and implementation

• Implement project activities in relation to the project document to achieve optimal project outputs and outcomes in line with ZOA/donor procedures and targets.
• Ensure project activities and outputs are consistent with project proposal, log frames and in line with quality standards and country policies.
• Facilitate and participate in capacity building events / trainings on PIP methodology, technical trainings, facilitation skills, ICT based extension programmes and other relevant trainings.
• Supports the step-by-step creation and implementation of PIPs by farmers and their families, in the community and beyond.
• Supervises and oversees high quality experimental plots or Integrated Plot Plans (IPPs) that serve as learning sites and demonstration plots for PIP farmers and the whole village.
• Facilitate documentation and learning among PIP farmers from experimental plots.
• Facilitate the formation of farmers groups, institutional capacity building and market linkages.
• Regularly provide technical backstopping (via phone and in person) to run the PIP (plots) and facilitate market linkages.
• Any other duty as assigned by the supervisor in line with the project.

Reporting and Knowledge Management, MEAL

• Provide inputs to implementation plans and activity/monthly reports.
• Identify, document lessons learned and best practices.
• Prepare and submit well written success stories.
• Contribute to project reports or implementation plans as required by supervisor.
• Collect monitoring data according to ZOA’s systems and activities in the project.

Representation and coordination

• Actively participate in the required and relevant technical working groups and coordination meetings conducted at sub county and parish level.
• Work closely with local government actors at Sub County and village level
• Work closely with local the partners to implement the project

Procurement and finance

• Initiate timely purchase requisition of project goods/services.
• Ensure expenses are in line with approved budget.
• Provide appropriate codes for expenses

Accountability

• Sensitize all stakeholders (beneficiaries, service providers, partners, government and other) on feedback and complaint mechanisms implemented by ZOA Uganda
• Upon receipt of a complaint or feedback, ensure that it is correctly documented following correct reporting procedures
• Understand ZOA’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies, ensure adherence to these policies and that project activities are implemented with a “Do No Harm” approach

Your profile

Identity

• The candidate is expected to fully support the vision, mission and Christian values 0f ZOA (see https://www.zoa-international.com/corporate-identity)

Knowledge & Experience:

• Degree in Agricultural Sciences or related fields.
• Specialized training as a ToT in Participatory Integrated Plan (PIP) Or Farmers Field School (FFS) methodology is a plus.
• At least 2 years successful experience in a similar position implementing related projects.
• Working experience in a humanitarian setting is an added advantage.
• Understanding of the local context, culture, and language(s).
• Experience working in the refugee response and its operational environment.
• Excellent spoken and written command of English.

Skills:

• Exceptional facilitation skills, e.g. working with illiterate farmers
• Good communication and accurate writing skills.
• Coaching and mentorship skills
• Innovative, creative and enthusiastic.
• Good computer skills: Ms Excel and Ms Word.
• Self-motivator, able to work with limited supervision.
• Ability to drive a motorcycle with valid driving/riding license class “A’’. This will be checked with a practical test during the interview process
• Language skills in relevant local languages of the regions where implementation will take place is a plus (Khartoum Arabic; Juba Arabic; Lunyoro; Runyakitara; Kiswahili etc.)

Attitude/behaviour:

• High level of networking capacities, with interpersonal, organizational and intercultural sensitivity
• Commitment to inclusion for People with Disabilities
• Able to plan and coordinate and work in an organized manner
• High level of integrity
• Motivated to work independently / self-managing
• Be a self-starter
• Commitment to ZOA’s mission, vision and values (see https://www.zoa-international.com/corporate-identity)

Special conditions/circumstances

The PO will be based at the ZOA office in Kiryandongo refugee settlement with regular travel to communities to work with PIs or other farmers.

The PO will need to ride a motorcycle daily in rural conditions/on unmade roads.

The role is 1.0 FTW (40 hrs./week). Working hours and benefits are outlined in the ZOA Uganda Employee Handbook. Some flexibility on working hours may be required, e.g. for travel at weekends, or during reporting times.

Our offer

• ZOA offers a challenging role in a dynamic context, and you will be part of an inspiring and motivated team.
• We offer good benefits and remuneration which suits the NGO sector.

Do you need more information?

For more information about ZOA, please visit our website www.zoa-international.com.