Business Skills and Development Officer at Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI)

Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian humanitarian non-governmental organization founded in Milan in 1965. COOPI aims to help the world’s poorest to improve their access to healthcare, food, and financial security, and to overcome their special vulnerability to wars, civil conflicts and natural disasters. For 50 years of long-term support and constant presence in the field, COOPI has been engaged in breaking the cycle of poverty and responding to specific emergencies in numerous sectors, including Food Security, Humanitarian Aid, Health, Socio-Economical Services, Water and Sanitation, Human Rights, Education and Training, Migrations and Sustainable Energy.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Business Skills and Development Officer

Location: Gashua, Bade LGA, Yobe
Employment Type: Full-time

Overall Responsibilities

• The Business / Skills Development Officer will supervise the organization, implementation and the monitoring of economic empowerment activites (IGA and Youth related) on a daily basis in keeping with COOPI procedures and standards.
• The position holder will be responsible for the management and implementation of COOPI’s Early Recovery and Livelihoods Restoration / Resilience Building Program activities in Yobe for Internally Displaced Persons and vulnerable Host Populations.

Main Responsibilities and Tasks

• Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Business / Skills Development Officer is responsible for the qualitative, quantitative and timely implementation of the COOPI’s Early Recovery and Livelihoods Restoration / Resilience Building Program activities.
• Collect information and data on Livelihoods and food security at LGA level through surveys, assessments and regular post distribution monitoring of beneficiary households
• Collect, enter and analyse information as requested by his/her supervisor.
• Participate to the creation of the trainings contents and train the beneficiaries according to the schedule defined
• Support the MEAL team in analysis of beneficiary data collection through the various tools that the department uses.
• Take part in all assessments for the projects or for new projects.
• Analyse the humanitarian situation, taking protection problems into consideration/Do no Harm to the population.
• Keep monitoring tools and files archived at the COOPI office, ensuring their availability to his/her Deputy Program Manager and Program Manager.
• Collect information and data on Livelihoods at LGA level through surveys, assessments, regular post distribution monitoring and field supervision visits of beneficiary households.
• Coordinate closely with the PM to ensure that cross-LGA programs are being implemented in synergy.
• Mobilization and awareness raising about the organization, program objectives and activities to local authorities and the population, and act as a link between the organization and the beneficiaries (at LGA level).
• Participate in regular internal& and external coordination for the program at LGA and state levels when required.
• Mobilization and awareness raising about the organization, program objectives and activities to local authorities and the population, and act as a link between the organization and the beneficiaries (at LGA level)
• Work with traditional committees to ensure the identification and selection beneficiaries for livelihood activities and provide information to ensure accountability, fairness and transparency during implementation of activities.
• Work closely with community structures to follow up on implementation of Income Generating Activities.
• Support in the implementation of Livelihoods capacity building training for the target beneficiaries at the LGA level.
• Implement detailed work plan for Livelihoods team at LGA level activities whilst respecting the timely planning and set-up of the activities.
• Contribute to the development of project community mobilisation strategies for targeting and new needs identification in the community.
• Supervise the Implementation of sensitisation activities for targeted communities about strengthening livelihood restoration activities whilst collaborating with the State Emergency Management Authority (SEMA), Extension workers, Community Volunteers, traditional leaders and other key stakeholders in feasible livelihood restoration activities at LGA level.
• Support the Supervisor to ensure that beneficiaries’ access to the provider guarantees protection and gender sensitivity in the field key activities
• Perform any other action related with the position needed to achieve the objectives of the projects and of COOPI Nigeria if requested by his supervisor.

Activities Supervision:

• Organize and supervise the identification and selection registration of beneficiaries for the IGA/Youth development activities.
• Organize and supervise the market assessment and the identification of the main chains in the targeted area
• Organize and supervise the day-to-day monitoring and evaluation of the project activities (including post-distribution monitoring activities), market assessment, beneficiaries training, individual follow-up…)
• Supervise and organize the data collection, data entry and data analysis
• Organize and supervise the training to the beneficiaries related to the IGAs/Youth related economic empowerment activities.
• Organize and supervises the distributions in the field with the beneficiaries, with a strong collaboration with the community leaders.
• Pass on any information or problems to his/her direct and/or indirect supervisor concerning his task, COOPI programs, or safety aspects
• Supervise and organize all assessments for the projects or for new projects especially monthly price and market assessment.
• Analyze the humanitarian situation, taking protection problems into consideration/Do no Harm to the population.
• Propose action plan to ensure that beneficiaries and local populations both understand the project goals and actively participate in their implementation.
• Actively participates to the good collaboration with local leaders
• Act as a liaison with the local population and authorities in order to identify the needs, grievances and major events that could have potential consequences for COOPI activity
• Ensure the proper training and supervision of the community’s volunteers who take part in the project.
• Ensure the proper training and supervision of the daily workers who take part in the project.
• Organize sensitizations for the beneficiaries or community members according to the identified needs.
• Address any issues on the field with the beneficiaries or the community members.
• Support the PM to coordinate IGA program with other FS activities
• Represent COOPI at anytime and anywhere when he is on duty.

Team Supervision:

• Organize the day-to-day schedule of the team to guarantee the smooth running of the project
• Make sure every members of the team clearly understand his/her task and has the necessary material to correctly fulfil his/her objectives
• Organize regular meeting with his team (briefing and debriefing) and ensure they have the necessary support they need
• He participates to the evaluation and to the definition of the training needs of his/her team
• Ensure the proper training and supervision of the daily workers who take part in the project.

Communication and Reporting:

• Report to the Project Manager on the progress of activities and specific tasks assigned, problems encountered, the quality of relations with beneficiaries.
• Collect and Compile collected data, pictures and collect information from the field to present weekly internal reports to the Project Manager.
• Presenting the weekly achievements, problems encountered and any suggestion to improve the project implementation.
• Compile collected data and collect information from the team to present regular reports to the PM on the progress of activities, problems encountered, the quality of relations with beneficiaries and propose actions to improve the project
• Pass on any information or problems to his direct and/or indirect supervisor concerning his/her task, COOPI programs, or safety aspects.
• Provides weekly internal reporting on activities on the progress of Livelihood activities.
• Report immediately any delay, problem or other relevant information to the PM

Logistic & Administration:

• Under the responsibility of the Project Manager contribute to logistical and administrative organization of the activities
• Contributes to the definition of the needs in materials and tools regarding the program and the planning of interventions.
• Ensure the safety and good condition of all material provided by COOPI.
• Inform the Project Manager in case of security incidents, rumours or any security information.
• Ensure the follow-up and the proper use of materials and tools used during on-site works.
• Manage the supply of materials to the work site in collaboration with logistics department.
• Analyse the security situation in the area and inform the PM in case of security incidents, rumours or any security information.
• Any other task assigned by the supervisor / head of base.

Skills and competencies of the Candidate (Education, Training, Competences, Skills)
Minimum Requirements:

• Degree / Diploma of Post-graduate degree in Accountancy, Social Science courses, Business Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related subject, with previous experience working in humanitarian projects.
• and evidence of NYSC discharge certificate, with previous experience working in developmental and emergency projects especially in NGO / INGO or financial sector.

Desired Competencies / Skills:
Essential:

• 2 - 4 years related work experience with an International NGO
• Experience in business development and economic reintegration in early recovery.
• Worked in the North East especially Northern Yobe.
• Fluency in English and local languages.
• Ability to plan and organize work and write clear and concise reports and communicate effectively (both in writing and verbally)
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines - Excellent communication skills.
• Proven commitment to accountability
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency in MS excel.
• Strong analysis skills (qualitative and qualitative)
• Excellent interpersonal skills, written and verbal communications
• Strong cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Good understanding of complex emergencies and crisis contexts
• Demonstrated skills in management, teamwork, negotiation and consensus-building.

Preferred:

• Excellent knowledge of English, with fair understanding in Hausa.
• Willing and able to be based and travel regularly within remote areas, where services are limited.

Brief Conditions

• COOPI reserves the right to transfer position as per need / project demand any time during the project.
• Travelling from home to duty station will be staff own responsibility but facilitation could be provided as per situation;
• COOPI reserves the right to close the application before deadline, if the required number of candidates is attained rolling basis review of applications.
• Candidates will be responsible for his/her own travel, accommodation and feeding during the recruitment process;
• Other Terms & Condition will be part of Job Contract.

Application Closing Date
31st January, 2022.