Project Officer - Agriculture (Open to Somali Nationals only)

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 24 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 50 countries, our 8,300 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $100 million in programs, and approximately 1,800 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.

I. Summary of Position

The Project Officer will take charge the implementation of the project activities under the strategic guidance of the FSL program manager. The officer ensures the day-to-day running of the project related matters, including visibility of the project, information sharing and monitoring. He/she will contribute to the execution and assurance of project success. He/she will work collaboratively with all team members but most closely with FSL program manager. The officer will be required to work in a changing and dynamic environment with multiple priorities and pressing demands.

Purpose: The project officer will be responsible for the overall implementation of project deliverables as per the organizational and donor standards. He/she will work to ensure that professional standards of work are maintained and activities are completed on time and budget. He/she will ensure reporting on project deliverables in a timely manner. The project officer will develop methods of project initiation, execution and delivery and will ensure proper coordination and integration with other departments.

Engagement: He/she will closely engage with other project team members, relevant implementing stakeholders, community structures. He/she will ensure project coordination and information sharing at the district level.

Delivery: The project officer will develop work plans as per the detailed implementation plans and will produce BoQs, FRs, monitoring and trainings plans. He/she will prepare cash requests and other requisitions to facilitate project implementation, keeping accurate records for accountability purposes.

Essential job duties

Action Against Hunger Somalia is looking for suitable candidates to fill the position of project officer. The position will be based in Kismayo district. The project officer reports hierarchically & technically to Senior FSL PM.

Specific Duties

Objective 1: Social mobilization and need assessment in the field

• The project officer facilitates community mobilization activities to support targeting and registration of beneficiaries and improve food, security and livelihood/cash based Intervention knowledge, attitudes and practices.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly progress report, plans and provide leadership to the FSL team in Kismayo.
• Contribute, participate, and lead the registration of cash beneficiaries and answering technical questions
• Contribute, participate, and lead the distribution and implementation of cash and agriculture activities that include cash, seed and tools distribution, cash and Agro-related training, and Agro-related interventions among others.
• Organize and support running of agriculture activities in the target district.

Objective 2: Support field level FSL coordination elaboration

• Coordinate closely with the FSL PM to ensure that FSL related activities in the assigned areas of operation are implemented harmoniously and with quality.
• Provide inputs to the design & utilization of project information gathering tools & project activity manuals.
• Work with the other program team members on cross-learning and beneficiary capacity building initiatives especially in relation to FSL.
• Participate in FSL related data collection together with the MEAL team.
• Work in close collaboration with Nutrition, WASH, and Health teams on ensuring field level integration and synergy.
• Build capacity of other staff members in relation to project activities.
• Other relevant duties as directed by the PM, Specialist or HOD or Specific responsibilities.

Objective 3: Spearhead community facilitation activities:

• Contribute to the development of viable community mobilization strategies for targeting, registration, and follow-up of FSL beneficiaries.
• Plan and execute FSL related capacity building for targeted communities.
• Conduct follow up monitoring of FSL activities in the area of operation.

Objective 4: Documentation and reporting:  

• Prepare and compile FSL activity reports on weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and yearly and share with Senior FSL PM.
• Prepare Success histories' with all legal documentation and share with the lead agency
• Regular monitoring of project activities and provide timely inputs and feedback to Senior FSL PM.

II. Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership in project implementation at target villages.

III. Fiscal Responsibility

• N/A

IV. Gender Equality Commitments  

• Ensure that targeting of FSL beneficiaries is done in a transparent and gender sensitive and conflict sensitive way.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect all cultures.

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Agronomy, Crop Science, or Development Studies.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in the direct implementation of livelihood projects, specifically focusing on agricultural extension and cash-based interventions (e.g., unconditional cash transfers, cash-for-work).
• Working knowledge of climate-smart practices and environmental considerations in agriculture, with an emphasis on sustainability and resilience in farming systems
• Experience in the development and oversight of small-scale rural agriculture projects

Required Skills & Competencies

• Extensive experience in community participation and consultative-implementation methods.
• Flexibility to adjust to new implementation practices and new strategic guidance as per the changing political environment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and be initiative
• Good facilitation, analytical, planning and report writing skills
• Experience in community and farmer group mobilization
• Good supervisory and organizational skills, good interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of livelihoods issues and techniques
• Good knowledge of implementing projects
• Self-motivated and reliable
• Experience and knowledge of working with NGOs in agriculture programs in Somalia
• Knowledge of written and spoken English, understanding of the local language is a must
• Proficient in MS Excel, MS Word and Outlook
• Willing to extensively travel throughout the project area.

Benefits

Application Process.

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button. All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated resume and both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. Closing date for applications: November 23, 2024.

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.