Project Officer – ECW

Position : Project Officer – ECW (for Nationals only)

Starting date : February 2022

Duty station : (Rhino Camp – West Nile)

Reports to : Project Manager

Date of posting : 2 February 2022

About ZOA
ZOA is an international NGO that inspired by Christian identity and biblical message of reconciliation and restoration of a broken world with its headquarters in the Netherlands. ZOA operate in fifteen countries on and on three continents. At ZOA we provide relief to people affected by conflict or natural disasters, contribute to a new perspective of hope in which people work together for a promising future in dignity and mutual trust. Together with the affected communities we work on the recovery of their livelihoods.

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

ZOA is looking for a: The Project Officer (PO) – Education Can not Wait 1 Position

The Project Officer (PO) Education/HOPE Project, with support from the Project Manager, is responsible for the day to day planning, and implementation of activities under the specific ZOA project(s) assigned to him/her under the HOPE Project funded by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) in 15 primary schools in Rhino and Imvepi Settlements, West Nile. The project runs from January 2022 to June 2022.

The PO carries out day to day implementation of the project, in coordination with other project team members, and staff of other Education projects, including:
• Implementation of activities in schools and communities, according to the agreed activity plans;
• Delivery of community engagement and mobilization strategies aimed at increasing community understanding/buy in, participation and contribution to ensure project sustainability and ownership;
• Supporting Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) activities, including gathering and recording feedback from project beneficiaries and other stakeholders;

Place in organization
The PO Education/HOPE Project is supervised by the PM, and closely coordinates with the PO MEAL, as well as ZOA staff working on other Education projects in West Nile. The PO may be responsible for coordinating and supervising volunteers at field level.
Responsibilities and main activities
General
• Implement project activities in line with the project proposal and agreed activity plans
• Support possible community volunteers in day to day implementation;
• Account in a timely way for executed project activities in line with and according to relevant ZOA policies and guidelines;
• Ensure project outputs are consistent with project proposals, log frames and in line with quality standards and country policies;
• Oversee and ensure implementation is in line with standards and policies of both ZOA and government of Uganda;
• Any other duty as assigned by the supervisor in line with the project.

Reporting
• 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;
• Actively participate in (technical) working groups and coordination meetings

Characteristics of Role

The PO Education will be based at Rhino Camp in West Nile region. Regular field visits to the project locations/schools supported will take place.

Regular visits to the ZOA office in Arua are anticipated, which may necessitate overnight stays in Arua. Visits to other locations may also be requested for coordination, training and learning.

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

Contacts
External contacts:
• Project participants; teachers, headteachers, Pupils ,parents and other community members;
• Local government departments such as the District Education Office, Community Development Office, Sub County offices and others when deemed necessary;
• Other (I)NGO’s, CBOs and other civil society actors implementing education projects in the project area

Internal contacts:
• ZOA Management;
• Members of the project team (Project Manager, Project Officers, PO MEAL, Assistant Project Engineer);
• Other project teams;
• Support staff.

Knowledge & Experience:
• Degree in Education, Development Studies or other related relevant field;
• At least 2 – 3 years of successful experience in a similar position implementing related projects;
• Experience with implementing projects funded by institutional donors is an added advantage;
• Good facilitation skills, e.g. being able to host a community meeting or training group;
• Understanding of the local context, culture, and language(s);
• Excellent spoken and written command of English.

Skills:
• Good communication, writing and facilitation 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”.

Behaviour and attitude:
• Commitment to ZOA’s mission, vision and values (see https://www.zoa-international.com/corporate-identity/)
• Able to plan and coordinate and work in an organized manner
• Able to bridge differences and bring people together from different backgrounds
• High level of integrity
• Motivated to work independently / self-managing