Project Officer – REBUILD Project

About Islamic Relief Worldwide Philippines:

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is an international relief and development organization founded in the UK in 1984 that envisages a caring world where people unite to respond to the suffering of others, empowering them to fulfil their potential. Working in over 34 countries, it promotes sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities to eradicate poverty, illiteracy and disease. IRW also responds to disasters and emergencies, helping people in crisis by providing them immediate support in rehabilitation.

Islamic Relief started operations in Philippines in 2013 in order to respond to Typhoon Yolanda in collaboration with the Government and UN/NGOs/private organizations. Over 39,000 Typhoon Haiyan affected families had been reached by providing access to livelihood opportunities, access to water, health and sanitation (WASH) and a decent house to live in accordance to Build Back Better design.

Islamic Relief moved its Country Office to Cotabato City (Mindanao) during 2017 to support the government in its efforts to help communities in case of disasters/Emergencies and provide support in government’s efforts to alleviate poverty and illiteracy in the region.

About the Project:

Generally, the project intends to revive economic, social wellbeing and improve resiliency of 1200 extreme poor households in 10 vulnerable coastal communities in Surigao del Norte through (i) Providing integrated sustainable livelihoods; (ii) Support establishing the protection and mental well-being services for women, children, and other at-risk groups, and (iii) Strengthening the resiliency of coastal communities for the occurrence of disasters.

Islamic Relief Philippines is looking to recruit Project Officer with technical specialization on Livelihood and Disaster Risk Reduction

REPORTING TO: Project Coordinator

About the position:

The Project Officer will support the Project Officer in the full implementation of REBUILD into Resilient Coastal Communities Affected by Typhoon Odette in Surigao del Norte Province, a 2-year recovery to development project. The Project Officer will also lead the technical implementation of Livelihood and Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Change Adaptation activities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
• Technical lead in implementation of Livelihood and Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Change Adaptation activities.
• Lead in in preparing quality activity designs of activities and projects that are linked to the program goals, end-of-program outcomes, and approved annual plan of the project;
• Lead in organising activities, which may include coordination and liaising with program partners and stakeholders, technical support in managing the day-to-day operations of activities/program, documentation of the proceedings, budgeting, and drafting of activity accomplishment reports;
• Support the MEAL team in its monitoring activities, which may include providing technical support and organizing surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and gathering of data and information;
• Lead and support in building the capacity of stakeholders in the areas of industry cluster development, enterprise development, climate change adaptation and mitigation, monitoring and evaluation;
• Lead and support to the drafting of annual work plan and six-monthly progress report;
• Lead and support in conducting the Quarterly Project Reviews, reflection and knowledge sharing sessions;
• Gradually take on leadership within technical areas of IR’s programming;
• Extend support to other technical areas such as institutional strengthening, policy, planning, and Islamic finance; and
• Other duties as may reasonably be required by the Area Programme Manager consistent with the incumbent’s qualifications and experience.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in one of the following fields: Development Studies, International Development, Social Work, Economics, Business Administration or other related disciplines.
• A first level university degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant technical field in conjunction with an additional two (2) years relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Technical knowledge in implementing sustainable livelihoods and agricultural production and fishery.
• Technical knowledge and skills in the implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management – Climate Change Adaptation action.
• Keen understanding of the humanitarian system, principles and key relief sectors (e.g. strong knowledge of and demonstrated experience with IHL, the Red Cross Code of Conduct, SPHERE, IASC Gender, HAP, Core Humanitarian Standards and understanding and experience of the cluster approach to coordination and response).
• Demonstrated experience on concept and proposal writing.
• Previous experience of dealing with Institutional/ International donors and projects
• Demonstrated experience in developing, fostering, and working in partnership with local/national organizations specific to humanitarian action.
• Experience in program monitoring and evaluation, including application of SPHERE standards and Core Humanitarian Standard. Good capacity building, coaching and training skills for working with external Partner organizations.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCES:

• 3-5 years’ experience of working with various International NGOs in Philippines/developing countries.
• An in depth understanding of national and international Humanitarian issues.
• Relevant experience in project development and developing proposals for a variety of donors including dealing with EC, ECHO, UN and DFID
• Experience of and commitment to participatory management and maintaining a supportive, open environment to ensure the learning and development of all staff.
• Experience of managing and mentoring of staff from various backgrounds and cultural settings.
• The position requires strong understanding of national and international Humanitarian discourse around UNSDG/Agenda 2030, quality standards under CHS, familiarity with Sphere Standards, Do no harm policy, Red-Cross/Red-crescent Code of Conduct etc.
• Experience of working in Conflict/post conflict areas.
• Experience of developing links with INGOs, Government agencies, Institutional donors and other stakeholders.

SKILL:

• Good interpersonal skills including the ability to listen, sensitivity to other peoples’ views and perspectives, and conflict resolution.
• Experience and excellent program development skills for donors like ECHO, DFID, SIDA etc
• Strategic leadership skills
• The capacity to develop and maintain an understanding of and be sympathetic to the social, cultural and political context of the post
• Ability to represent, liaise and negotiate at different levels (national, provincial and local).
• Excellent communication skills
• Knowledge/familiarity/expertise in program areas: e.g. Economic Empowerment/Livelihoods, DRR, Peacebuilding and Education etc.
• An ability to work under pressure with limited support.
• Previous experience, Knowledge/familiarity with Mindanao region/country
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, data analysis

LANGUAGE:

• Fluent in English and Filipino; familiarity with regional dialects as well as knowledge in using various social media platforms for marketing and advocacy campaigns are an advantage.

DESIRABLE:

• Sympathy and commitment to Organisational values and ethos.
• Any qualification/certification in humanitarian and disaster risk reduction field will be an added advantage.