Career Opportunities at VSF Germany

The Project Officer’s position is field based with frequent visits to other locations within the project area. The incumbent will work in collaboration with other Field start, partner organizations & the Project Manager. The project ends in September this year hence the duration of employment is 9 months.

Key responsibilities:

I. Project Administration

• Provide coordinating and administrative support as directed by the Project Manager.
• Monitor the security situation in the project area and at the satellite office.
• Draft internal inter-staff communications.

II. Project Planning & Implementation

• Participate in activity planning and develop data collection systems enabling effective monitoring of defined indicators.
• Maintain project Calendar, budget and ensure deadlines are met.
• Help coordinate and follow up on project activities under components implemented by Project partners.
• Act as liaison point between project partners, the Project Manager and project Consultants to ensure timely implementation of projects.
• Track project activities to ensure they are progressing as per schedule.
• Coordinate and organize stakeholder meetings, and serve as Secretary of the said meetings.
• Support in developing training or other materials for community stakeholders and others.

• Responsible for implementing the natural resource Management (NRM) & drought preparedness component of the project livestock marketing & trade component.

• He/She will be required to identify & provide training for the Community Animal Health Workers.
• Organize livestock traders meetings, facilitate traders access to communities & establish market links in key towns and food markets in drought affected areas in collaboration with local DVO and line ministry.
• Coordinate the procurement of veterinary supplies and equipment for local veterinary stores.

• Responsible for liaison with District Steering Groups, Ministry of Livestock, NGOs and other partners in fulfilling the livestock and market access components of the project.

• Develop work plans, financial projections and verify all financial reports on the respective component.
• Manage the flow of technical reports and compilation of the same in the project narratives.
• Respond to cross cutting issues affecting the community in cooperation with specific expert agencies.

• Steer the development & presentation of community drought preparedness plans with

relevant groups e.g. water user committees, resource planning committees etc.

• Provide Business training for pharmacy owners.

III. Project Monitoring & Reporting

• Prepare and submit timely progress and obstacle activity implementation reports as required.
• Carry out any other duties as may be assigned by the Line Manager.

• Permanently monitor activities and report progress to the Project Manager

• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Line Manager.

Qualifications, Experience, Attributes & Skills required

• University Degree in Social Sciences/Animal Science or Development related field.

• A minimum of 3 years experience in development work.

• Team leadership experience preferred.

• Knowledge and experience of working with pastoral communities

• Excellent computer knowledge, managerial and report writing skills

• Knowledge of Pastoral market access issues in the region

• Working knowledge of EC rules and regulations.

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The Project Manager’s position is field based with frequent visits to other locations within the project area. The incumbent will work in collaboration with other partner organizations & the Head of Programmes. The project ends in September this year hence the duration of employment is 9 months.

Key responsibilities:

I. Leadership & Operations

• Provide direct leadership, management and supervisory for all project staff.
• Conduct training needs assessments on their project team.
• Develop, implement and improve systems for transparent and sound project implementation
• In charge of project related logistics-, HR- and financial management, ensuring strict adherence to donor and VSF Germany rules & regulations.
• Supervise, manage, and monitor all project related operations ensuring timely and cost efficient delivery of all ordered goods in all the field locations.
• Lead the staff on the ground in planning and efficient use of resources.
• Assure completeness and high quality of project reports of team members and address issues as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with standard policies and procedures.
• Coordinate activities by scheduling work assignments, setting priorities, and directing the work of subordinate employees.

II. Project Management

· Pro-actively organize and conduct (baseline) surveys and focus group discussions

• Responsible of the project implementation including control of project expenses.
• Produce and compile internal and donor reports, including coordination and reporting on the project areas.
• Provide technical support and advice to project staff.
• Be proactive in the development of project designs and proposals
• Manage the development of team by ensuring, that project tasks are in line with the project description or Logical framework.
• Create and execute project work plans and revise as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements.
• Review deliverables prepared by team before passing to the line manager and other VSF Germany stake holders.
• Minimize the organization’s exposure and risk on project.
• Ensure project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately.

· Comply with- and enforce standard project implementation policies and procedures.

• Spearhead Monitoring and evaluation activities of the project.
• Prepare the final project report and review if all project documents are complete, scanned and properly orderly stored in a CD.

III. Technical support & capacity building

• Provide support and understanding to staff on project implementation and other relevant project areas.
• Possess a thorough understanding of team capabilities and lobby for the right upgrade.

· Maintain awareness of new and emerging technologies and the potential application on the project activities carried out.

· Identify staff development and training needs especially in areas relating to the core services of the organization and.

· Ensure capacity building of staff

IV. Communication

• Compile and submit internal and external, technical and progress reports to the line manager
• Ensure clear channels of communication within the staff team in the project area and with the regional office.
• Active participation in technical meetings and committees on national and project level.
• Develop and maintain partnership with the government ministries stakeholders and collaborators within the project area.
• Participate in the project management, monitoring and analysis of output and outcome indicators
• Keep the project team well informed of changes within the organization and general corporate news.
• Deliver engaging, informative, well-organized presentations in VSF news, newspapers or technical journals/conferences/platforms

· Meet with community representatives or government authorities to determine overall growth and development needs and goals, and to develop and support activities, programs, and plans.

IV. Financial Management

• Develop project activity budget, work plan and expenditure forecasts, for submission to the Head of Finance and Country Director for Kenya.
• Develop monthly activity related financial budget and project expenditure forecasts
• Submit punctual monthly expenditure report according to donor guidelines.
• Review timely monthly financial report on correct bookings and correctness
• Responsible for field expenses and field financial management ensuring strictly standards, rules and procedures provided
• Ensure all project legal documents are complete
• Manage project budget to ensure funds are responsibly utilized as allocated.

Qualifications, Experience, Attributes & Skills required

• University Degree in Social Sciences/Animal Science or Development related field.

• Postgraduate degree in development related field preferred

• A minimum of 5 years experience in development work.

• Team leadership experience preferred.

• Knowledge and experience of working with pastoral communities

• Excellent computer knowledge, managerial and report writing skills

• Knowledge of Pastoral market access issues in the region

• Working knowledge of EC rules and regulations.