Project Officers (State Technical Support) at Concern Universal (CU)

Concern Universal (CU) is an international development organisation that has been working through local partners and tackling poverty since 1976. We strive to Prove and improve every project to maximise value for money and ensure sustainability Our Theory of Change helps US to check that we are not only doing things right, but also whether we are doing the right things as we work to challenge poverty and inequality. We have three main aims focusing on achieving resilient lives and attaining better health while upholding the rights of individuals and people.

In Nigeria, we are improving the quality of health by increasing access to basic services including access to safe water, increased sanitation, and improved hygiene practices. We focus on Better Health because without health there can be no development. Good primary healthcare starts with the basics of access to clean water and sanitation.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Officer (State Technical Support)

Location: Calabar, Cross River
Unit: CHISPIN Project
Sub-Unit: WASH Programme
Reports To: Project Manager
Status: Full-time, Contract

Main Purpose

• The Project Officer will contribute to sustainable service delivery in the LGA-wide Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS).
• S/he will specifically support the three LGA Project Officers, and non-state implementing partners at state level.
• The aim is to improve sanitation coverage and hygiene behaviour through a demand-led process, empowering state-level stakeholders to deliver on the UKAID project objectives and CLTS roll out in three LGAs.
• A significant level of effort will be undertaken at the CU head office in Calabar, while providing direct support at the field-level to LGAs and non-state partners (sub-grantees).
• Executing this function will mean extensive travel to field locations, and excellent coordination and management based upon the detailed implementation plan (DIP) and in consultation with the Project Manager.
• The Project Officer is a member of the CHISPIN project team and provides technical assistance in overall LGA and non-state partner (sub-grantee) staff implementation.
• As part of the project team s/he works closely with the CU Finance and Accounting Team, sub-grantees and LGA support staff.

Responsibilities

• Liaise/coordinate with and between all bodies and institutions involved in the CHISPIN Project activities at state level, particularly RUWASSA, State Tasks Groups on Sanitation and WASH Management Teams, and ensure effective implementation of activities for the delivery of GSF project outputs and outcomes
• Participate in regular meetings with key stakeholders at the State level, ensuring there is common understanding of the project objectives, with reference to the LFA. You are expected to ensure there is full commitment to the project including cost sharing by all partners. This will include providing support towards timely delivery of human and material resources in the participating LGAs
• Work closely with LGA Technical Support Officers on the Project, WASH structures in the State and LGA level to development capacity needs assessments, and training requirements in order to achieve effective CLTS delivery and ODF (Open Defecation Free) in all communities.
• Assist in efforts to build a resource pool of trained personnel in CLTS triggering, hygiene promotion, appropriate technology support, and monitoring & evaluation. In addition, identify needed support from State Agency for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation to assist participating LGAs’ WASH Department/ Units on community mobilisation, establishment and training of tasks groups on sanitation, advocacy and participatory planning.
• Support the Project Manager to review the State & LGA Level WASH sector plans and budgets and assist in the formulation of strategies, plans and budgets to achieve Total Sanitation and the subsequent deployment of resources (funds and human resource) in the project targeted state.
• Ensure that annual budget preparations at State level include budget lines for Total Sanitation.
• Provide technical inputs in the preparation and design of surveys, studies, and play an active role in the dissemination of survey results and study findings under the project among stakeholders; as part of increasing their understanding of sector issues and emerging approaches, and thereby facilitate scaling up of successful approaches to LGAs not in the project catchment area
• Provide regular supportive supervision and monitoring of the project activities of the State RUWASSA, STGS, NGOs/CBOs and Private Service Providers on the basis of agreed plans, targets, and technical design, specifications and standards
• Carry out field visits to monitor progress and quality of implementation of sanitation facilities (latrines, urinals, hand-washing stations etc.) constructed by community participants. Facilitate/support the quality control (by third party/state verification team) of completed facilities
• Support the State Authority to maintain a regular flow of information to relevant stakeholders at all levels that also includes monitoring counterpart funds contribution.
• Assist the State Authority to implement monitoring system for improved decision-making based on the project M&E framework.
• Network closely with other implementing agencies/entities, in the three LGAs and ensure maximizing synergies in the health and education for opportunities for replication and of scaling up CLTS and WASH more widely
• Provide weekly updates and monthly reports as per approved format summarising progress made in implementation of activities, lessons learnt and recommendations for improvement including ad hoc reports and human interest stories that may be needed. In addition, contribute to updating the results-based framework in-line with project indicators on a quarterly basis with more detailed inputs provided towards the preparation of annual reports
• As part of the project team fully adopt the PCM (project cycle management), including use of the LFA and a results-based performance management approach.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide feedback to partners and project team on projects’ performance based on data collected and findings
• Assist the project team in building capacity of CSOs
• Assist the project team in developing human stories for publication
• Assist Project Manager in conducting annual and quarterly planning and review processes
• Support to the eventual design and dissemination of research studies by providing relevant input
• Assist the MERO and Project Manager in developing quarterly and annual reports
• Develop and share field visit reports with relevant project staff
• Assist the Project Manager to develop annual and quarterly work plans and budgets for CHISPIN
• Assist Project Manager in reviewing project plans as part of the learning and sharing process
• Share learning from CHISPIN with the wider CU country programme team
• Support partners in improving learning and sharing mechanisms in their projects
• Promote culture of two way learning in CU more widely
• Work collaboratively with the RUSHPIN state Project Officers and project team for strengthening integration and cross-learning in the country programme
• Proactively volunteer for various team activities
• Show an eagerness to take on any other tasks assigned by the line-manager

Qualifications

• A University Degree in Public Health, Sanitation Engineering, Sociology, Rural Development or field related to WASH development assistance.
• Knowledge and understanding of working with the State and LGAs

Experience

• Five years’ relevant experience in successfully managing developing projects, funded by international donors, including experience of grant management and reporting experience in monitoring and evaluating WASH projects
• Relevant knowledge and experience in Community Led Total Sanitation programming experience of report writing
• Proven track record of capacity building/training for stakeholders including at community level and for local institutions
• Solid knowledge and understanding of community-based approaches to development

Skills

• Excellent planning, co-ordination and prioritisation skills
• Strong facilitation, diplomatic and interpersonal skills
• Good command of writing in English
• Excellent communication and team-working skills, with the ability to build good relations, both internally and externally
• Excellent computer knowledge with command on MS Excel among other packages of MS Office
• Ability to facilitate training to community-based organisations and government stakeholders
• Ability to work in a multicultural, diverse and performance related environment
• Proactive approach to problem solving
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction

Desirable

• Gender and intercultural sensitivity
• Willing to work additional hours at crucial times
• Positive outlook and stand-alone disposition
• Adaptable and responsive disposition relative to the demands and development of the project.

Application Closing Date
1st December, 2015.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their covering letter and complete the Application Form below with the appropriate information and send to: [email protected]

Click here to download the Application form (MS Word doc)