Project Officer

Job Description

N’DOMAKEH FEDERATION

(PARTNER TO CHILDFUND SIERRA LEONE)

Kailahun District Program Area

57 Benduma Road – Daru

sbenjua@ndomkeh.org.sl 

+23278535859

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT (INTERNAL/EXTERNAL)

Position: Project Officer

Number of Positions: 1

Employment Type: Contractual

Duration: 10 Months (with possibility of renewal depending on performance and availability of funds)

Expected Start Date: March 2024

Job Location: Kailahun District

Report to: Project Coordinator

About the Project: 

ChildFund received grant funding from TRADIN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE BV as part of the Sierra Leone Agro-Tech Development Support. The grant funding should support an increase in Fair-trade-(Regenerative)-Organic cocoa yields and farmer living income, increase farmer income and food security through agroforestry and decrease dependency of loans under implementation cluster four in specific aims at a sustained and further expanding agroforestry through effective financial management with Village Saving and Loan Associations at community-level. 

ChildFund has selected N’domakeh to establish 45 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) for proper financial management and connect the VSLA’s to the Farmer Field Schools to be established as part of the project and to monitor and report on these actions. The establishment of the 45 VSLA’s will be done in two years, 25 in the first year (January 2024 – December 2024) and 20 in the second year (January – 2025- December 2025) in 3 districts (Kenema, Kono and Kailahun). The establishment of the 45 additional VSLA’s is a continuation of the Integrated community-based approach to Combating Child Labour Project (FBK) from 2021-2023. N’domakeh Federation will be implementing this grant and coordinate with ChildFund Sierra Leone in the project administration and monitoring, ensuring a smooth implementation of the project activities in the areas where Tradin Sierra Leone is actively sources cocoa.

About the Role:

Reporting to the Project Coordinator, the Project Officer will be responsible for the day -to day direct implementation of all components of the project activities within targeted communities in Kailahun District. 

Specific Responsibilities

• S/he will be responsible for mobilizing community stakeholders and Tradin Organic Farmer Field School (FFS) members for the establishment of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) in targeted beneficiary communities. 
• Carry out on the ground facilitation of VSLA trainings in targeted communities, community engagement and mobilization 
• Working with the Project Coordinator, s/he will collect reliable monitoring data form the VSLA groups on a weekly and or monthly basis in a timely manner
• Coach and support VSLA Management Committees for proper meeting sessions and recording of transactions. 
• Work with community support structures to ensure that children are protected from harm, abuse, exploitation and neglect, especially against child labour. 
•  Actively participate in capacity building opportunities and share learning and experiences with project partners and the wider project team. 
• Support the Project Management team by representing N’domakeh Federation at any related district level and chiefdom level coordination meetings and when required. 
• Acts as liaison between ChildFund and other stakeholders, and between beneficiaries and communities at the district level.
• Ensures project plans, updates on progress and challenges are communicated in a timely manner.
• Works closely with the District Council, Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Education and the Family Support Unit of the Sierra Leone Police at district and Community level in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of project activities.
• Any other duty assigned

Competencies:

• Must be computer literate with reasonable proficiency in using Microsoft packages (Word, Excel, Power Point etc)
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Proficiency in project planning, implementation and Reporting (essential)
• Ability to maintain good interpersonal relationships with colleagues
• Ability to coordinate several tasks within a given timeframe
• Ability to ride a motorbike in difficult terrains and possession of a valid rider’s license
• Experience working at the community level across all stakeholder levels 
• Strong training facilitation, coordination and networking skills
• Very good report-writing skills
• Ability to solve problems, particularly in challenging situations
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability.

General Qualifications and Experience  

• N’domakeh Federation seeks a highly committed and adaptable individual with a record of accomplishment for delivering quality results with limited resources and experience of working in remote communities. The individual must be able to function independently and flexibly in a swift manner. 

Educational Qualification

• A degree, higher diploma or equivalent certificate from a reputable institution/university plus 3 years of experience working in similar sector. 

Our Safeguarding Commitment and Responsibility:

N’domakeh Federation is committed to safeguarding the interest, rights, and well-being of children and other project participants with whom it is in contact and to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe. You are therefore required to remain alert and responsive to any safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding Policy.

How to Apply

Interested candidate can send in their detailed CV and cover letter to the Admin Officer and copy the Federation Program Manager, N’domakeh Federation, 57 Benduma Road, Daru  to mkoroma@ndomakeh.org.sl and copy sbenjua@ndomakeh.org.sl .The deadline to apply for the position is Friday 15th March 2024, 5:00PM (GMT).  

NB: Women are strongly encouraged to apply. In addition, kindly note that only shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview.