Norwegian People's Aid

Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) Field Officer

Agriculture, Farming Jobs
Salary
TBA

Job Description

The vision of Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) is Solidarity in Action. We are a politically independent membership-based organization working in Norway and in more than 35 countries around the world. Founded in 1939 as the labour movement's humanitarian solidarity organization, NPA aims to improve people's living conditions and to create societies that are more just and more democratic. NPA's international work covers three core areas: Humanitarian Disarmament, Democratization and Just distribution of power and resources and Humanitarian Action and Crisis Responses.

NPA in Zimbabwe is working with partners on long-term development, human rights and grass root organizations in the Development and Humanitarian Cooperation (DHC) Programme and clearance of landmines in the Humanitarian Disarmament (HD) Programme.
We are looking for an experienced Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) Field Officer for the DHC Programme in Harare Zimbabwe. This is a 6 (Six) Months only contract. This is a position that requires a mature professional of high integrity. The person must be able to analyse and assesses natural, political, social and economic trends and provides substantive inputs to program formulation, evaluation and joint programming initiatives. The Field Officer will work to assist, coordinate and ensure effective, efficient provision and support of management of project. The Field Officer will provide technical support, advice and oversight on program level monitoring, evaluation and learning. The Field Officer will work under direct supervision of the Programme Manager DHC Zimbabwe and Regional Director based in Mozambique.
The position is based in Harare.

Duties and Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Programme Development:
➢ Contribute to context and situational analysis and actively participates in development of country and regional food security & livelihoods strategies
➢ Lead and/or support technical and needs assessments that informs strategy and fundraising
➢ Lead and/or support fundraising efforts through development of all Concept Notes and Proposals (Narrative & budgets)
➢ Work with Monitoring Evaluation Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Adviser and team to proactively lead and/or support documentation lessons learnt, best practices, case studies for projects to inform design of new projects
➢ Working with Programme Manager & team to engage with country level potential Donors through effective coordination and collaboration

Project Management:
➢ Support partners in development of detailed project implementation, procurement and budget spending plans
➢ Guide and support beneficiary selection with minimal inclusion and exclusion errors whilst ensuring participation of young women
➢ Support preparation of monthly project budgets and monitoring (Budget Variance analysis)
➢ Ensure compliance through leading timely implementation of the project according to project documents i.e., proposal (activities) and budgets
➢ Coordinate with partners and target communities to ensure quality implementation of project activities (Climate Smart Agricultural, promotion of market linkages and use of appropriate technology)
➢ Conduct regular field visits for monitoring and support to Partners implementing the project
➢ Responsible for Partners’ staff technical capacity building on food security and livelihoods activities.
➢ Conduct frequent field visit to project areas to ensure quality implementation through technical and managerial guidance/support and monitoring
➢ Responsible quality and timely preparation and submission of donor reports, project reports and any other NPA internal reports as required
➢ Ensure compliance during projects implementation to Donor and NPA regulations working closely with Partners, NPA support team and with reference to available internal guidelines

Monitoring Evaluation Learning & Accountability (MEAL)
➢ Work closely with the MEAL and Technical Advisers to support continuous monitoring of project implementation
➢ Lead and/or support development of NPA MEAL framework, guidelines and tools with support from Global MEAL Adviser
➢ Support partners on all MEAL related activities to ensure timely collection of quality data, analysis and reporting.
➢ Lead all Food Security Livelihoods data collection, analysis and reporting for NPA

Capacity building:
➢ Identify learning and training gaps for Partners’ staff and prepare capacity building plan for the entire project duration
➢ Work with NPA Partners to train field staff and farmers on sustainable agricultural practices relevant to the increased production of food for the target communities
➢ Provide necessary technical training and develop appropriate materials for Partners’ staff to strengthen their ability
➢ Provide project specific trainings that include climate smart agriculture, market linkages, appropriate agronomic practices and use of appropriate technologies
➢ Provide required support to assist institutional and organizational development of women and networks
Representation, coordination and Advocacy:
➢ Ensure effective stakeholder participation throughout the project implementation which include government line ministries, Local authorities, traditional leadership and community representatives
➢ Work with partners and NPA team to identify advocacy issues within the project and FSL sector
➢ In collaboration with NPA management, assist in advocacy activities that target decision-makers at all levels.
➢ In collaboration with global advisers, feed in learning, experiences and evidence to relevant global advocacy objectives.
➢ Represent NPA in coordination platforms (Food Security, Livelihoods Clusters/ Technical Working Groups) whilst ensuring Partners’ participation at national, provincial and district levels
➢ Participate and support (with Partners) in national assessments/surveys through Food Security Cluster to increase NPA and Partners’ visibility and funding

Qualifications and Experience

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential
➢ Experience working with local NGOs CBOs, academics, research institutions, networks and coalitions.
➢ Stakeholder and community engagement skills.
➢ Ability to work with communities.
➢ Working experience in international work in humanitarian field project, NGO or the donor sector.
➢ Knowledge of local agriculture laws as these relate to plant and animal movement.
➢ Awareness of Climate Change and Environmental issues, key trends and analysis.
➢ Preferred knowledge and qualifications in-depth working knowledge of cropping /livestock
programmes.
➢ Working within partnership models.
➢ Ability to build strong, credible relationships with internal and external stakeholders
➢ Good proposal writing skills.
➢ Experience from networking, lobbying/advocacy and long-term development assistance.
➢ Gender analytical skills.
➢ Ability to offer Organisational development strategies.
➢ Understanding of Results Based Management.
➢ Computer literacy.
➢ Willingness to stay in the project area when necessary.
➢ A clean class 4 driver’s license


Desirable

➢ Fluency in spoken and written local languages
➢ Ability to work independently, be proactive and make decisions as required, multi-tasking, ability to meet deadlines, team player, self-driven competencies are essential.
➢ Flexibility in terms of working hours which may include working after hours and/or weekends
➢ Knowledge or appreciation of Zimbabwe context in terms of political, economic and social trends plus a good understanding of the key development and humanitarian issues in the region.
➢ Demonstrate ability in the design and effective use of training materials.
➢ Knowledge of how to prepare financial budgets and budget monitoring.
➢ Knowledge of Safeguarding and Do no harm principles.
➢ Ability and willingness to travel regularly, at times at short notice, locally, regionally and internationally.


Key Attributes
➢ Excellent leadership skills with the ability to achieve results through others.
➢ Structured, accurate and efficient.
➢ Ability to cope under pressure and flexible to handle changing priorities.
➢ Large capacity for work.
➢ Ability and willingness to work and live under difficult circumstances.
➢ Culture-sensitive, diplomacy and interpersonal skills.

Reporting to NPA DHC Program Manager


QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
➢ Bachelor degree in Agriculture (Crop Science, Agricultural Economics), Social Sciences, Development studies, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, or related discipline.
➢ Minimum 5 years of experience working with a humanitarian organisation as a project lead implementing food security and livelihoods interventions
➢ Proven Experience working on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), markets promotion of smallholder farmers, farmers technical trainings and advocacy
➢ Experience and knowledge in food security and livelihoods coordination at national, district or provincial levels
➢ Good experience in managing multi-million dollars’ multiple projects in a challenging environment
➢ Strong ability to work with diverse groups/individuals – ranging from local partners, local authorities, humanitarian community and the private sector

How to Apply


For more information about NPA, please see our website at https://www.npaid.org/Our-Work/ or visit us on Facebook or Twitter

NPA is an equal opportunity employer and women are encouraged to apply.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews

To apply, email application letter and full CV with traceable references to zimjobs@npaid.org, closing date is 17 November 2022.