Project Officer – FSL at Save the Children

ROLE PURPOSE: ROLE PURPOSE:  

Save the Children in Kenya is responding to the ongoing drought that affected the lives and livelihoods of millions of Kenya through its multi-sectoral response strategy. The FSL response plan is focused on addressing the immediate food gaps and livelihoods protection needs of the affected population while also planning for the recovery of livelihoods activities in the longer term. In line with this strategy, the FSL Project Officer will be responsible for ensuring the implementation of the emergency food security and livelihoods projects as outlined below.

The post holder will ensure the effective and efficient implementation activities directly related cash and voucher-based programs, livestock health, livestock marketing, livestock feeding among others. The Project Officer would contribute to enhancing the capacity of the Food Security & Livelihoods team to gather quality information on the household economies of targeted vulnerable groups, by participating in assessments and assisting with information analysis and report writing, and subsequently to provide technical input into the development, monitoring and evaluation of food security projects.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Responsible for FSL day-to-day activity implementation.
• Work closely with FSL other project staff, local government line ministries and the communities in the planning and coordination of Save the Children FSL projects;
• Provide regular report and updates to the Project Coordinator regarding on project activities from the operation sub-Counties;
• Ensure correct beneficiary selection procedure and criteria are followed by community mobilisers and committees;
• Ensure any feedback from beneficiaries or target communities shared project team  and the community members are responded to appropriately or raised with FSL Coordinator, Advisor or Manager as needed;
• Coordinate with Program manager, FSL Coordinator and field finance team, field logistics in the planning of cash distribution activities.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are adequately communicated about project activities and plans, including distribution date and conditions required for verification.
• Training of CDRs on disease surveillance, vaccination and treatments.
• Regularly check the quality of information collected.
• Provide regular progress report to the FSL coordinator as per the requirement;
• Prepare monthly quarterly and annual activity plans, action plans for monitoring, review and quarterly and annual project reports and plans.
• Be fully aware of how far the project fulfils child rights in terms of SCI’s strategic and thematic plans.  Ensure that Child Rights programming is effectively incorporated into all aspects of SCI’s work.
• Organize meetings to sensitize communities about the purpose and modalities of the food security and livelihoods project.
• Document relevant distribution data;
• Participate and lead selection of beneficiaries for the different program activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• University degree in BSC social sciences, geography, anthropology or other discipline relevant to rural livelihoods.
• At least 3-year relevant project management experience in an international NGO or similar organization.
• Good technical knowledge of policy and practice in the field of livelihoods, crop and  livestock production as well as other cross cutting issues
• An understanding of child rights and their protection and fulfilment in the development context.
• Experience in implementing cash transfer programs (unconditional cash transfers, voucher and cash for work) and livelihoods programs in the context of pastoralist areas;
• Knowledge of participatory rural appraisal;
• Good communication, presentation, training and report writing skills.
• Ability to take a proactive approach in community capacity building, either directly or through facilitation of suitable support and experience in leading a team in fieldwork with communities.
• Willing to work in isolated rural areas with basic living conditions, and work in difficult field conditions.
• Knowledge of local language.
• Fluency and excellent communication skills in English language
• Experience of effective teamwork and outstanding inter-personal communication skills.
• Experience of coalition building and working with civil society actors to deliver change.
• Commitment to Save the Children’s Child Protection Policy.
• Computer literate in word processing and excel packages.