Project officer Food Security & Livelihoods

Position: Project Officer (FSL)

Department: Project Implementation Unit

Location: Baidoa

Contract Duration: 6 months

Direct Hierarchy: Project Manager (FSL)

Starting date: December 2023

Background on ACTED

Created in 1993, ACTED is an international non-governmental organization pursuing a dual mandate of emergency response and development interventions in 40 of some of the world’s most vulnerable countries affected by conflicts, disasters, or socio-economic hardship. With a team of 7,000 national staff and 400 international staff, ACTED implements 500 projects a year to support more than 20 million beneficiaries, notably in hard-to-reach areas.

ACTED goes to the last mile through programs and approaches that look beyond the immediate emergency towards opportunities for longer term livelihood reconstruction and sustainable development. Guided by the motto “Think Local, Act Global” and its 3Zero –Zero Exclusion, Zero Carbon, and Zero Poverty – strategy, ACTED puts local territories at the centre and provides a tailored support to local needs.

ACTED is looking for professionally confident, self-motivated, experienced, and committed team player to fill the Project Officer position in Baidoa, Somalia.

Position Profile:

As Project Officer, you will be responsible for coordinating and managing all aspects of the project focused on improving the livelihoods and food security of ultra-poor individuals. You will work closely with project stakeholders, develop, and implement project plans, monitor progress, and ensure successful project outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Project Planning and Implementation: You would be responsible for developing detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets. You will work closely with stakeholders to define project goals, objectives, and deliverables. You will coordinate project activities and ensure their timely execution according to the project plan.
2. Stakeholder Engagement: Building and maintaining relationships with relevant stakeholders such as community members, local authorities, partner organizations, and consortium partner is crucial. You will collaborate with these stakeholders to ensure their involvement in project activities, gain their support, and address any concerns or issues that may arise.
3. Capacity Building: You will identify the training needs of project staff and beneficiaries and develop capacity-building plans. This may involve organizing workshops or training sessions to enhance the skills and knowledge of project participants in areas such as sustainable farming practices, income generation activities, and financial management.
4. Reporting and Documentation: Regular reporting is essential to provide updates on project progress, challenges faced, and achievements made. You will prepare periodic reports documenting the project activities, outcomes, and lessons learned. These reports will be shared with relevant stakeholders and project manager.
5. Knowledge Sharing and Learning: You will actively participate in knowledge sharing and learning initiatives within the organization and the development sector. This may involve attending conferences, workshops and keeping up to date with the latest trends and best practices in the field of ultra-poor graduation programs, food security, and livelihoods.
6. Coordinate project activities and ensure their timely execution according to the project plan.
7. Attend monthly and quarterly review meetings.
8. Train all Village Saving loans and associations and track their progress on weekly and monthly.
9. Stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in ultra-poor graduation programs, food security, and livelihoods.
10. To budget and monitor project expenditures to ensure they are in line with ACTED and donor requirements.
11. To provide strategic advice and guidance to program management team in relation to livelihood programming aspects
12. To undertake biannual appraisal of staff under his responsibility
13. Liaise with logistics, finance team in the field and area office to coordinate procurement and other needs for project implementation and organization base support.
14. Act as focal point for the base including security follow ups, team leadership and coordination between departments.
15. To produce departmental internal report on weekly and monthly basis
16. To provide internal reporting as requested from coordination and line management.
17. Provide capacity building to implementing partner staff when appropriate and make sure that the local partner implements the projects as per the ACTED rules and regulations as well as per Donor requirements.
18. Perform other duties as requested by supervisor.

Qualifications/Skills Required:

1. Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as development studies, international relations, economics, or a related discipline.
2. Proven experience (typically 3-5 years) in project implementation, preferably in poverty alleviation, livelihoods, or food security projects.
3. Strong understanding of ultra-poor graduation programs and their components.
4. Knowledge of sustainable agriculture, income generation activities, and financial management for the ultra-poor.
5. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with diverse stakeholders.
6. Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with strong organizational and time management skills.
7. Proficiency in project management tools and software.
8. Knowledge of donor requirements and regulations related to project implementation and reporting.

Flexibility and adaptability to work in challenging and resource-constrained environments.