Education/ Early Recovery & Livelihood Officer at Taimako Community Development

Job Purpose

• Program Officer (Education/Early Recovery & Livelihood) will lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of early recovery, livelihood, and education activities under the project.
• The officer will work closely with local communities to ensure that the program effectively addresses the educational and economic needs of marginalized populations, particularly women and persons with disabilities.
• This role is crucial for enhancing community resilience and rebuilding livelihoods in post-crisis settings, ensuring that beneficiaries have access to vocational training and education that supports long-term recovery and economic empowerment.

Key Responsibilities
Program Design and Planning:

• Lead the design and planning of early recovery, livelihood, and education interventions in close collaboration with the Program Manager and local implementing partners
• Conduct thorough needs assessments in target communities to identify gaps in education, vocational skills, and economic opportunities, particularly for women and persons with disabilities. Ensure that all interventions align with local market needs, community priorities, and the project's overall objectives to provide sustainable solutions.

Program Implementation and Coordination:

• Oversee the execution of livelihood and education activities, ensuring timely and efficient delivery of vocational training programs, small-scale business development, and educational initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance to field teams, ensuring that all activities follow best practices in livelihoods, early recovery, and inclusive education.
• Engage with local communities to raise awareness about vocational training and livelihood opportunities, ensuring active participation of target beneficiaries.
• Coordinate with local government bodies, vocational training centers, and other stakeholders to facilitate program activities and enhance collaboration.
• Ensure that all activities promote inclusivity and gender equity, with a strong focus on empowering women and persons with disabilities.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Develop and implement a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework for early recovery, livelihood, and education components, in collaboration with the M&E Officer.
• Track and document progress against key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring that all activities are aligned with project objectives and donor requirements.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor activity implementation, gather beneficiary feedback, and ensure quality control.
• Prepare detailed monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on program activities, including challenges, lessons learned, and success stories, for submission to the Program Manager and donors.
• Ensure that data collection is inclusive and disaggregated by gender, disability status, and other relevant factors to capture program impact on different groups.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation:

• Serve as the key liaison between the project and local communities, ensuring that community needs and priorities are reflected in the program
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including local authorities, non-governmental organizations , community leaders, and vocational institutions.
• Represent the project at local and regional meetings, workshops, and conferences to advocate for the importance of inclusive education and livelihoods for post-crisis recovery.
• Engage with local businesses and market actors to identify job placement and entrepreneurial opportunities for vocational training graduates.

Capacity Building and Technical Support:

• Provide capacity-building support to local staff, community members, and partner organizations on livelihood development, vocational training, and inclusive education.
• Organize and deliver training sessions on skills development, small business management, and income-generating activities, particularly for women and persons with disabilities.
• Support the development of locally driven strategies for sustaining the livelihoods and educational achievements of beneficiaries beyond the project's lifecycle.

Risk Management and Problem Solving:

• Identify and mitigate potential risks to program implementation, such as security concerns, economic changes, or logistical challenges.
• Address any issues that may arise during program delivery, working closely with field staff and local stakeholders to find practical solutions.
• Ensure that all program activities adhere to humanitarian principles, including neutrality, independence, and impartiality, particularly in conflict-sensitive areas.

Qualifications and Skills
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Education, Economics, or a related field. A master’s degree is an asset.
• 3-5 years of experience in program management, particularly in livelihood development, vocational training, and education in a post-crisis or humanitarian context.
• Proven experience in working with marginalized communities, especially women and persons with disabilities, in conflict or recovery settings.
• Strong background in early recovery programming, with a focus on economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.

Technical Skills:

• Expertise in designing and implementing vocational training and livelihood development programs.
• Strong understanding of the local context in Yobe and Borno states, including community needs, economic opportunities, and education systems.
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Knowledge of gender mainstreaming and disability inclusion in program design and delivery.
• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies, including results-based management (RBM) and logical frameworks.

Leadership and Communication Skills:

• Proven ability to lead and motivate field teams, ensuring cohesive and effective program delivery.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including community members, government officials, and private sector partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality reports and deliver presentations to a range of audiences.

Soft Skills:

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances or challenges.
• A commitment to the organization’s mission of promoting inclusive education and livelihoods for vulnerable populations.