Project Officer (PO) – NRM-MDG- Somalia

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
PROJECT OFFICER

Organization Adeso : African Development Solutions www.adesoafrica.org

Position Title Project Officer (PO) – NRM-MDG
Reporting to Deputy Program Director/Engineer Team Leader
Working with Program team in Somalia, Country Director, Program Quality Team in Nairobi
Program/ Duty station MDG Initiative for Somalia: Reducing hunger and food insecurity in Puntland region through improved and sustainable use of rangeland resources – Bosaso, Somalia, with frequent field visits throughout Puntland, Somalia
Duration 12 Months

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:
Adeso, formerly known as Horn Relief, is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. At Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.

For the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. Currently, Adeso has programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan. Our current donor portfolio includes the European Commission, USAID, SIDA, UNICEF, among others.

Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Working under the guidance of the Deputy Program Director/Engineer Team Leader, the Project Officer will be a full-time member of the Adeso team and will play a crucial role in the implementation and management of the NRM-MDG Initiative for Somalia: Reducing Hunger and Food Insecurity in Puntland Region through Improved and Sustainable Use of Rangeland Resources. The proposed action seeks to reduce hunger and food insecurity by improving rangeland conditions across the Puntland region of Somalia. The program will improve the state of natural resources management through implementation of land rehabilitation and restoration work on degraded rangelands, promoting sustainable use of natural resources through community based range management programs. The program will integrate environmental considerations into all economic planning and programming activities in the region and galvanize community support for environmental protection and sustainable use of resources. The action will also improve the capacity of the communities involved to avert resource-based conflicts and to protect rangeland resources through implementation of local customary laws, establishment of community based environmental courts and strengthening of communities to prevent misuse of natural resources at local level. Furthermore, the action will support the development of alternative energy sources that can create jobs and reduce current dependency on firewood and charcoal. An awareness campaign branded “Stewardship Puntland” will also be launched to sensitize both rural and urban communities to environmental issues and to instil a public sense of ownership and stewardship of the environment.

POSITION PURPOSE:
Adeso is seeking a qualified and committed individual to join its team as Project Officer for the MDG Initiative for Somalia project. The primary roles of the Project Officer will:
• To define the project objectives and ensure quality control throughout the project life cycle.
• To facilitate an awareness campaign to sensitize both rural and urban communities to environmental issues and to instil a public sense of ownership and stewardship of the environment.
• To carry out Monitoring, Evaluation, Activity Reporting and documentation.
• To organise and implement capacity building activities.

SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Under the guidance of the Deputy Program Director/Engineer Team Leader, carry out implementation of activities in the respective regions of the operational area;
• Provide weekly and monthly activity plans, ensuring full implementation under the guidance of the Deputy Program Director/Engineer Team Leader;
• Liaise with community leaders, local authorities and beneficiaries to ensure that Adeso interventions are well understood with full participation;
• Support and supervise Community Mobilisers and ensure cordial working relationships within the team;
• Provide regular community and beneficiary feedback through established complaint response mechanisms as well as weekly and monthly reporting;
• Ensure transparent, gender consideration in the selection of environmental court committees;
• Liaise with environmental court committees to ensure that communities are well aware of Adeso’s activities, and that the beneficiary selection and follow-up processes are well understood;
• Liaise with the Hawala agent to ensure that beneficiaries receive the correct entitlement in each cycle;
• Capacitate communities to avert resource-based conflicts and to protect the rangeland resources through implementation of local customary laws, establishment of community based environmental courts and strengthening of communities to prevent misuse of natural resources at local level;
• Liaise closely with community elders and local authorities within the operational area;
• Liaise directly and regularly with communities, elders and local authorities, as well as other agencies operating within the project locations to ensure effective coordination and implementation of activities;
• Oversee and manage project expenditures, ensuring that the budget is strictly adhered to, financial procedures are observed and all supporting documents are sent to Nairobi as per schedule requirements;
• Ensure implementation of projects conforms with donor guidelines and procedures;
• Identify problem areas with the project implementation process and notify all relevant office;
• Maintain strong links with partners/Government, providing advocacy support as needed;
• Any other duty as assigned.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• University Degree or Diploma in Social Science with experience in humanitarian or development related fields;
• Substantial working experience in food security/natural resource management, ideally with NGOs;
• Experience of assessment methodologies (PRA, RRA);
• Proven planning, report writing, monitoring and management skills;
• Excellent verbal and written skills in English and Somali;
• Good IT skills including confident use of Word Excel and database software;
• Ability and willingness to make frequent field visits to the project areas;
• Demonstrable ability to adapt to changing program priorities.

How to apply:

APPLICATION PROCESS

This is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional. If you would like to join this dynamic team and be part of building resilience and economic growth in Africa, please submit your application to jobs.somalia@adesoafrica.org , quoting the position in the email subject matter, by DATE 28th March 2013.

Each application should be addressed to the Human Resources Manager and include the following:

• An updated CV; and
• An application letter which should include remuneration requirements and contact information for three work-related referees.

Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Adeso is an equal opportunity employer