Deputy Team Lead (Food Systems and Value Chain Development), Roving at Cooperazione Internazionale - COOPI (6 Openings)

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, Disaster Risk Reduction, Human Rights, Education and Training, Migrations and Sustainable Energy.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Deputy Team Lead (Food Systems and Value Chain Development), Roving

Locations: Bade, Jakusko, Nguru, Yusufari, Yunusari, and Geidam - Yobe
Employment Type: Contract
Project / Programme: MasterCard Foundation
Donors: WFP / MasterCard Foundation
Reports to: Project Lead
Starting Date: ASAP
Duration of Project / Contract: 9 months

Job Summary

• Under the direct supervision of the project/program Lead, The Team Lead Assistant, Communication and Knowledge Management expert is responsible for the management and the proper implementation of COOPI’s MasterCard Foundation project in Yobe State.
• He coordinates and monitors the work of other staff field officers dedicated to these activities and he is responsible for qualitative and regular reporting on various components of the project.

Specific Objectives:

• Support the team lead in performing and coordinating daily interventions.
• Support in synthesising initiatives’ achievements and developing strategic documents such as issue briefs and other knowledge
• products in line with WFP requirements.
• Support in developing communication materials (e.g. flyers, impact stories, online news) for WFP from information and data
• provided by programme staff such as reports, summaries, presentations, and verbal inputs.
• Ensure proper knowledge management of CP’ activities in line with WFP requirements.
• Draft and communicate sensitization messages to project participants
• Perform other related duties as required and as may be requested by the team lead.

Priorities of the Position:

• The Assistant Lead will propose timely and efficient response to the challenges faced during each disbursement (cards management, platform issues, vendors’ issues…).
• The Assistant Lead will actively contribute to the review and the improvement of all the methodology documents for a top-quality monitoring of the activities.
• The Assistant Lead oversees and manages the Livelihoods team in the implementation and the monitoring of the food security and livelihood activities and works in close collaboration with Assistant Leads from other departments to foster the integrated approach.

The Assistant Lead’s major objectives are to properly achieve the following global tasks:

• Smooth and timely implementation of the activities in the field with particular follow-up of the team at the field level.
• Design and capitalization of all aspects of the project in direct link with the Program Lead.
• Assistant Leads are responsible for overseeing the work of other project Leads. They commonly act as a liaison between their team and upper management, ensuring that everyone is on the same page with regard to goals, timelines, and other important details.
• Assistant Leads may also be tasked with managing individual projects within the larger initiative they’re working on. This might include assigning tasks to team members, tracking progress, resolving issues that arise, etc.

Responsibilities and Tasks
Implementation and Monitoring of the FSL Project(s):

• Organizes, schedules and coordinates the Livelihoods activities and the team’s work on a weekly as well as monthly basis.
• He supervises the field work of partners or/and contactors and make sure they agree and respect COOPI principles.
• He monitors closely the implementation of activities at the field level with site visits on a regular basis.
• He supervises the work schedule of the Key Project staff and provides them support when needed.
• He ensures the timely implementation of the project(s).
• He shares the work progress with the Program Lead daily or when needed.
• He actively takes part in the monitoring of the results achievements and indicators as per indicated in the logical framework.
• He mobilizes and encourage the Communities to participate in program design, monitoring, and evaluation for accountability.
• He ensures that all project documents are correctly filled and filed.
• He actively contributes to the security analysis in the field and ensures that all measures have been taken and rules followed to ensure security on-site.
• Gives expertise and contributes to the improvement of activities through critics, analysis, and suggestions (food security and livelihood assessments, market, vendor transaction, beneficiary satisfaction, PDM, evaluations, complaints, feedback, etc.).
• Organizes capacity building and training for beneficiaries and other project actors

Management of the Operational Teams:

• He supervises the Livelihoods key project staff and ensures the respect of all human resources rules;
• He ensures the administrative HR management of his/her officers (daily attendance, leaves management) in collaboration with the HR department.
• He ensures that her/his team complies with COOPI internal rules.
• In collaboration with the Program Lead, he ensures a regular evaluation process for his team with the definition and follow-up of clear objectives (Performance Appraisal).
• He supports his team in building their capacities (Day to day sharing of knowledge and experience, organizing training sessions for project staff, developing any Livelihoods pedagogical and methodological tools adapted to the local context…)

Management of the Logistical and Administrative Aspects of the Project(s):

• He defines the needs in materials and tools regarding the program and the planning of interventions.
• He ensures the follow-up and the proper use of materials and tools used during on-site works.
• He manages the supply of materials to the work site in collaboration with the logistics department.
• He uses the COOPI forms for all exchanges with the logistic & administration services.
• He analyses the security situation in the area and informs the Project Lead in case of security incidents, rumors, or any security information.
• He takes part in the financial follow-up of the project with the Project Lead.
• He contributes to the management of the cash forecast of the project in link with the Project Lead.

Representation at WFP and Reporting:

• He participates in the different working groups and meetings related to her/his field of work.
• He provides weekly and monthly internal reporting on activities according to COOPI internal tools.
• He takes part in external reporting according to the needs (reports to local authorities, donors) in coordination with the Project Lead.
• Reports immediately any delay, problem or other relevant information to Project Lead.

Assistant Lead Job Duties:
Assistant Lead typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget by communicating regularly with project Leads, team leaders, and other stakeholders
• Ensuring that project plans are communicated clearly and effectively to the entire team
• Managing the budget and financial aspects of projects, including allocating funds to different phases of the project as needed
• Tracking the progress of projects and communicating any delays or issues to management
• Coordinating with clients to ensure that they are satisfied with the project’s progress and results
• Working with architects, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers to coordinate the design, construction, and delivery of projects
• Overseeing all aspects of a project from start to finish, including planning and scheduling tasks, managing personnel, monitoring budgets, and communicating with clients
• Managing a team of project Leads and other staff members to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget
• Creating reports that detail project status and results

Desired Experience

• University Degree / HND in Agricultural Economics and Extension, Rural Development, Development Studies, Social Sciences or a related academic discipline with 4 – 5 years previous experience working in developmental and emergency projects.

Skills & Experience (Essential):
Assistant Leads typically needs to have the following qualifications:

• Knowledge of the local language (Hausa and Kanuri).
• Strong level of autonomy to provide independent follow through on processing issues and concerns
• Excellent planning, organizational and time management skills

Basic Salary
COOPI Salary grid (according to experience).

Application Closing Date
10th September, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: Application will be treated on a rolling basis.