Project Support Officer – State Government Level 274 views1 applications

United Purpose (UP) is an international development organisation that works to sustainably reduce poverty and improve the lives of some of the world’s poorest communities. Established in 1976, the organisation has nine country programmes in Africa, Asia & South America.

In Nigeria, UP has been working for almost two decades with local partners and rural communities in the country’s South East. We implement projects funded by major international donors that aim to address gender inequalities and rights abuses, improve sanitation and access to water, foster accountability, preserve vital ecosystems and develop sustainable livelihoods.

Project Support Officer – State Government Level

Location: Makurdi (with regular travel to field sites in Benue State)
Reporting to: RUSHPIN Programme Manager

Purpose

• The purpose of this post is to support implementation of the Rural Sanitation & Hygiene Promotion in Nigeria (RUSHPIN) Programme funded by the UN/WSSCC Global Sanitation Fund (GSF) and the Nigerian Government. United Purpose is the Executing Agency for the Programme that aims to significantly increase sanitation coverage and sustained hygiene behavioural change in Cross River and Benue States, and to serve as a model towards state-wide sanitation coverage that can be replicated in other states.
• The post-holder will lead Programme activities in Benue State by supporting staff at the Local Government level to achieve LGA-wide Open Defecation Free (ODF) status using the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach. This will involve regularly visiting field sites, communicating effectively with partners and other stakeholders, identifying and sharing project impacts, and liaising closely with UP’s Office in Calabar, Cross River State, to ensure effective communication.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Liaise/coordinate with and between all entities involved in the Programme at state level, particularly RUWASSA, State Tasks Group on Sanitation (STGS) and State WASH Management Committee, and ensure effective implementation of Programme activities for delivery of intended outputs & outcomes.
• Actively participate in regular meetings with key stakeholders at the State level, ensuring there is common understanding of Programme objectives. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with Programme commitments, including cost sharing by partners, and providing support towards timely delivery of human and material resources in the participating LGAs.
• Work closely with Project Support Officers at the LGA level to identify and address capacity gaps in the WASH structures at both State and LGA level in order to achieve effective CLTS delivery and ODF in all communities. This includes identifying the support required from RUWASSA to assist LGA WASH Units for effective community mobilisation, establishment and training of tasks groups on sanitation, and conduct advocacy and participatory planning activities.
• Support the Programme Manager to review the State & LGA Level WASH sector plans and budgets and assist in the formulation of strategies, plans and budgets to achieve Total Sanitation and the subsequent deployment of resources (funds and human resource) in the programme targeted state.
• Ensure that annual budget preparations at State level include budget lines for Total Sanitation.
• Provide technical inputs in the preparation and design of surveys, studies, and play an active role in the dissemination of survey results and study findings under the programme among stakeholders; as part of increasing their understanding of sector issues and emerging approaches, and thereby facilitate scaling up of successful approaches to LGAs not in the project catchment area
• Provide regular supportive supervision and monitoring of the programme activities of the State RUWASSA, STGS, NGOs/CBOs and Private Service Providers on the basis of agreed plans, targets, and technical design, specifications and standards
• Carry out field visits to monitor progress and quality of implementation of sanitation facilities (latrines, urinals, hand-washing stations etc.) constructed by community participants. Facilitate/support the quality control (by third party/state verification team) of completed facilities
• Support State authorities to implement monitoring systems for improved decision-making based on the Programme M&E framework, and maintain a regular flow of information to relevant stakeholders at all levels that also includes monitoring counterpart funds contribution.
• Assist in efforts to build a resource pool of trained personnel in CLTS triggering, hygiene promotion, appropriate technology support, and monitoring & evaluation. This includes by networking with other implementing agencies in the target LGAs in order to maximize synergies in the health and education sectors for opportunities for replication and of scaling up CLTS and WASH more widely.
• Provide weekly updates and monthly reports in approved formats summarising progress made in implementation of activities, lessons learnt and recommendations for improvement including ad hoc reports and human-interest stories that may be needed. In addition, contribute to updating the results-based framework in-line with programme indicators on a quarterly basis with more detailed inputs provided towards the preparation of semi-annual and annual reports.
• Undertake other responsibilities that may be assigned from time to time contributing to the overall organizations’ objective.

Person Specification
Required:

• University Degree in Public Health, Sanitation Engineering, Sociology, Rural Development or a field related to WASH Development Assistance
• 3-5 years professional experience in a similar position
• Proven track record of leading capacity building and training for local institutions and communities
• Solid knowledge and understanding of community-based approaches to development
• Excellent planning, co-ordination and prioritisation skills, with ability to maintain quality on multiple tasks
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills
• Ability to work under pressure with little supervision to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities
• Working knowledge of basic computer software (Word, Excel, E-mail operations)
• Gender and intercultural sensitivity
• Fluency in English and pidgin languages

Desirable:

• Masters Degree in a relevant discipline
• Experience in international NGO / donor sector
• Experience in managing donor-funded projects, including grant management and reporting
• Knowledge of, and experience in, Community-led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programming
• Experience of team leadership and clear examples of supervisory skills and line-management
• Knowledge of participatory research methods, results-based monitoring and action learning
• Positive outlook and proactive problem solving skills
• Experience and skills of using audio/visual equipment to capture development impacts
• Knowledge and experience of best practice approaches to gender and disability issues
• Knowledge and understanding of contextual diversity of Benue State and its major languages

What we offer 
This position offers the right candidate the opportunity to gain senior-level experience with an international NGO. We provide a competitive remuneration, high-quality training and support, and, above all, a respectful and empowering working environment and the opportunity to make a real impact.

Remuneration
Commensurate with position and experience

Method of Application

Interested and qualified candidates should send a CV and a Cover Letter to: [email protected] In the cover letter, please ensure to explain the following:

• Why you are applying for the position
• How your skills and experience meet the person specification
• When you would be able to take up the position if it were offered to you

Note

• You are recommended to apply early, as applications will be assessed as they are received. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• United Purpose is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against applicants on the basis of gender, religion, ethnicity, age, disability, religion or sexual orientation. United Purpose also has a Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy, which reflects our commitment to protecting the people with whom we work. All candidates will be expected to comply with this policy and its procedures.