Livelihoods and Economic Empowerment Coordinator - (EU), Jigawa at Save The Children

ROLE PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION:

• Save the Children International (SCI) is a leading independent international organization creating lasting change for children in need around the world. SCI works in over 120 countries globally, including Nigeria, helping children to survive, learn, and be protected. We are working with the government to improve children’s education, health, nutrition, protection and economic opportunities, and in times of acute crisis, mobilizing rapid life-saving assistance to help the children to recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters.
• Save the Children International Nigeria has been selected to implement  Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities for Children and Youth in Northwestern Nigerian states of Kano, Sokoto and Jigawa. More specifically, the Livelihoods coordinator will assist in the improvement of the quality of livelihood programs within the Food Security and Livelihoods sector of Save the Children, Nigeria Country program. S/he is principally responsible for coordinating the implementation of the livelihoods component and CVA related activities of the project and other projects as necessary. Under the guidance of the Program Manager, the Project Coordinator in consultation with the Programme Manager will ensure that the project is implemented in a coordinated manner and in line with donor requirements and commitments. The Project Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating livelihood Project across the implementing states and ensure timely submission of regular narrative and financial reports.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Projects Coordination & Management:

• Oversee the coordination and implementation of the EU project in Kano, Sokoto and Jigawa States in line with the project design, donor requirements and SCI standards.
• Support field level technical assessments on livelihoods. This will be done in coordination with the FSL Programme Manager and other SC thematic areas and/or other external sector agencies, ensuring assessment findings are documented and that all assessments include a specific analysis of children’s needs.
• With support from the Programme Manager, develop livelihood project plans and budgets, contributing towards an overall project implementation.
• With the support of Programme Manager, oversee implementation of the livelihoods component of the project to ensure timely delivery of project activities (for example, monitoring against log frames, individual performance management work plans).
• Identify emerging issues related to the livelihood programme and make recommendation for further solution.
• In collaboration with project and partner staff, train enumerators on program component, its implementation and prepare narrative report of activities carried out.
• Working closely with the FSL and CVA Technical Advisors and/or other senior programme staff, support timely programme and donor reports on project activities in compliance with internal SC requirements and any relevant external donor requirements. 
• With support from the Programme Manager, identify programme supplies needs and coordinate with the logistics team to put in place a sensible phased procurement plan.
• With support from the Monitoring & Evaluation team support the M & E plan implementation within the FSL projects, ensuring this links to reporting requirements, and capacity build technical field staff in carrying out the work.
• With technical guidance from the CVA TA, facilitate the selection of delivery mechanism that will support the establishment and growth livelihoods and economic empowerment programs, and facilitate financial inclusion among program participants.
• With support from the MEAL and FSL technical teams, ensure the regular monitoring and impact tracking for all livelihoods, economic recovery and market systems development interventions. 
• With support from the Accountability Lead ensure accountability is enforced in all project activities as well as ensuring that feedback from children and their families is considered in project design/implementation
• With support from the community mobilization lead ensure effective and efficient information sharing to relevant stakeholders and continuous programme sensitization.
• Work closely with partners and their staff to ensure project activities are implemented in time and within the stipulated quality.
• To ensure that the minimum standards of humanitarian relief are maintained in accordance with the Sphere Charter and Red Cross Code of Conduct.

Operational Planning and implementation

• The Programme Coordinator will ensure design, plan, monitor project implementation plan, distribution process and procurement plan.
• Overseeing and provide technical solutions to speed up the implementation and budget performance in line with the project detail implementation plan, budget phasing and budget.
• Effectively support the Livelihoods Officers to ensure compliance with the agreed work plans and that programme objectives and targets are being achieved in line with the project proposal and agreement.
• Maintain high standard of transparency and accountability in the course of programme implementation and expedite implementation, where necessary while ensuring integrity and timeliness of project duration and meeting programme objectives, compliance with donors & Save the Children International policies.
• Provision of regular operations and implementation updates to the Programme Manager, State Team Lead on the project progress and challenges to allow for timely interventions and corrective actions by the management.
• Ensure the timely reviews and adjustments for the project operational and implementation plan and budget as may be required from time to time. 

Finance and Budget Management

• Overseeing the budget performance to ensure that project implementation is on track as per the budget phasing, detailed implementation and procurement plan. 
• Conduct project monitoring, suggest necessary revisions and prepare draft reports for corrective actions. 

Programme/Project Narrative and Financial Reporting.

• Preparation of timely and high quality progress and end of project narrative and financial reports which are in accordance to the donor and SCI reporting schedule and formats.
• Review all programme narrative and financial reports ensuring that donor and SCI guidelines have been followed and met high standards. The project deadlines met in reporting and keep a track record of reporting (Narrative and Financial).
• Organize and facilitate monthly follow-ups and progress review meetings to address key performance issues from the reports.
• Internal and external engagements
• Ensuring that the project  is represented and given recognition at project stakeholder meetings, workshops, project technical committee, networks and any other engagements. 
• Develop and maintain regular channels of communication key stakeholders at all levels (Community, LGEA and State).

MEAL

• Effectively support all the sector based officers and MEAL Officer in MEAL aspects, which include assessments, baseline and evaluation studies, putting in place a functional Activity Tracking Table.
• Coordinate market assessment and monthly price monitoring of key livelihood inputs, with view to guide decision on the transfer value, CVA modality and delivery mechanism that is suitable to livelihood and economic empowerment program,
• Ensure that the projects quality bench marks developed and monitored as per project design and implementation.
• Collecting and managing complaints and feedback in close coordination with MEAL team and state Team.
• Ensure regular monitoring of projects results, documentation of projects case studies, lessons learnt, significant changes and best practices and  coordinating, learning  and  reflection meetings/sessions 
• Ensure an effective programmes/ projects monitoring and evaluation systems are in place.
• Monitor programmes/ projects activities to ensure quality, timeliness and adherence to both the donor and Save the Children policies and procedures.
• Human Resources Management and Development:
• Working together with the Programme Manager, State Team Lead Adamawa, sector officers, and other project staff to identify learning and development needs of the project teams and develop specific plans to address the learning needs. 
• Conduct and participate in weekly/monthly staff and project team meetings to enable adequate support is provided.
• Technical Oversight   
• In liaison with Programme Manager, State Team Leads, CVA and FSL TA, Abuja to provide guidance and support to state team and project stakeholders. 

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity
   

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Minimum of BSc or equivalent in agriculture, food & agribusiness, Economics and related disciplines 

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• At least 5 years of accrued working experience in programme implementation with a minimum of 2 years in a management level position in an international NGO and those applying partnership approaches is desirable. 
• Experience in strategic thinking and planning skills, be able to set priorities, prepare manageable plans and to evaluate progress.
• Technical expertise in Livelihoods and Food Security programming.
• Fundamental knowledge of CVA, with focus on CVA feasibility, and selection of appropriate CVA modality and delivery mechanism that supports livelihoods and economic empowerment programs. 
• Strong analytical skills and strategic planning abilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain conducive collegial relations and perform effectively as a member of a team.
• Willingness to travel and work in hard-to-reach areas, occasionally under strenuous conditions.
• Computer literacy and excellent documentation skills are compulsory.
• Availability and willingness to work extra hours during times of humanitarian responses.
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Ability to intervene with crisis management or troubleshooting as necessary. 
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
• Excellent time management and planning capacity.
• Fluent English language skills (written and verbal) and Local language skills (Hausa etc.).