Coordenador/a de Programa – Âmbito Rural (Rural Program Coordinator)

Job description summary:

The Program Coordinator will be responsible for the technical and human resources coordination of project(s) in a rural context, in the communities benefiting from Oikos projects in São Tomé and Príncipe (STP).

Under the direct supervision of the Country Coordinator, the Program Coordinator will have the following main functions and tasks:

Coordination:

• Coordination of the technical teams of the project(s) and coordination with the administrative and financial services of the Oikos Delegation in STP;
• Technical coordination with focal points of funding and contracting institutions (especially the European Union, United Nations Agencies, Global Environmental Fund, Portuguese Cooperation, among others) to ensure the correct implementation of projects and actions based on specific regulations and standards;
• Articulation and negotiation with project implementation partners, including government partners, NGOs, international cooperation agencies and agents, national development projects and other relevant actors, necessary for the proper implementation of projects (including the organization of Management Committees and Steering Committees at national level).
• Articulating and negotiating strategic proposals in the agricultural sector, sustainable management of natural resources and economic and social development actions for rural communities, with institutional partners, the government and civil society;
• Promoting good communication and coordination between the teams and the different Oikos-STP projects, boosting synergies between them and optimizing resources;
• Liaising with civil society organizations and the project’s target communities, in the context of implementing activities and liaising with the team, authorities and local implementing partners;
• Coordination with project teams from other programs, namely the marine program, in collaboration with the Country Coordinator, in the search for operational efficiency, optimization of resources and complementary intervention in the different sectors.
• Representing Oikos and the project(s) in the context of public actions, in conjunction with the Country Coordinator.

Implementation:

• Definition of the strategic lines of implementation and technical supervision of the activities of the project(s), namely in the field of agroecology, more specifically in cultivation and production techniques and practices, biodiverse/syntropic agroforestry systems, farmer organization, and organic certification of products (Participatory Guarantee Systems);
• Definition of the strategic lines of implementation and technical supervision of the activities of analysis and implementation of strategies for access to markets and marketing channels, mainly in national markets, including strengthening the capacities of beneficiary families and community groups to sell their products and negotiate with public and private partners and buyers;
• Design and implementation, together with technicians and local multipliers/community agents, of participatory methodologies to develop fieldwork in the communities;
• Developing and monitoring the work of local multipliers/community project agents;
• Support for the productive sectors identified to generate income for families in the communities and improve livelihoods, in particular by identifying and supporting the development of rural businesses. Support for the production, processing and marketing of agricultural products and new lines of production such as livestock, beekeeping and non-timber forest products, as well as support for other community ventures aimed at sectors such as community-based ecotourism or other related sectors.
• Support for the development and implementation of community awareness and communication actions.

Management:

• Ensuring efficient and effective management and administration of the project(s) and all its resources, in collaboration with Oikos teams and partners, in accordance with the approved proposal and contractual rules, including administrative and financial execution monitoring;
• Technical and financial planning of the projects, in accordance with the requirements of the funders and Oikos procedures, consolidating and harmonizing the planning of the different activities;
• In close collaboration with Oikos-STP’s administrative and financial coordinator, ensuring the sound financial and operational management of projects, monitoring monthly financial execution and compliance with administrative procedures, in accordance with Oikos and funder procedures;
• Contributing to the preparation of procedures for the contracting and acquisition of goods, works and services and monitoring these processes, in collaboration with the Oikos-STP administrative-financial coordinator and, when necessary, with the Oikos headquarters in Portugal;
• Ensuring the effectiveness of knowledge management and project monitoring systems, ensuring the systematization of information, the appropriate measurement of indicators and helping to demonstrate the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of projects;
• Writing, reviewing and consolidating technical reports, in accordance with the deadlines and requirements of Oikos and the funding institutions;
• Reviewing and monitoring the preparation of reports by the implementing partners;
• Reviewing financial reports and harmonizing financial and technical reports, in collaboration with the financial managers;
• Managing the human resources under their responsibility, in collaboration with the National Coordinator;
• Supervising the functioning of the teams in their charge, promoting their training and technical growth and management skills;
• Updating project organization charts, drawing up terms of reference for the team under their responsibility and organizing the selection process in accordance with contractual and Oikos procedures;
• Ensuring the visibility of the projects in accordance with the applicable standards and contributing to the production of communication materials and actions, in conjunction with the project teams and the Communications Coordinator at headquarters, when necessary.

Others:

• Ensuring the integration of cross-cutting approaches that promote gender equality, social inclusion, environmental protection and the human, social, economic, environmental and cultural rights of the population;
• Identifying and drawing up proposals for projects, particularly those that contribute to complementing and/or strengthening activities in the rural sector and the sustainable management of natural resources (namely agriculture and forestry), in line with Oikos’ intervention strategy for São Tomé and Príncipe.

PROFILE REQUIRED

• Higher education in agronomy, forestry engineering, rural development, environment or other relevant field (minimum degree, postgraduate studies will be considered as a preferential element in the selection process);
• At least 5 years’ experience in managing and coordinating projects in the field of agroecology, development in the agricultural sector in general or management of terrestrial natural resources;
• Preferably experience of managing projects funded by the European Union and/or other international funders;
• Experience in managing teams in the context of development projects;
• Experience of working with partners and in consortia;
• Ability to delegate and supervise, set priorities and work to deadlines;
• Dynamic and with initiative;
• Excellent interpersonal relations and teamwork skills;
• Good computer skills (Word, Excel, web tools, operating systems);
• Driving license for light vehicles;
• Good knowledge of spoken and written Portuguese. Proficiency in English and/or French will be considered an asset;
• Respect for and appreciation of local communities;
• Sensitivity to the conservation of biodiversity, natural resources and adherence to good environmental practices;