Food Security & Livelihood Program Manager at Solidarites International

Goal / Purpose

• The FSL program manager shall play a lead role towards this objective.
• The PM is also expected to devise innovative solutions to address the complex food security and nutrition challenges in Zamfara, where the ‘’no IDP camp policy’’ has consigned over 200,000 IDPs in informal settlements, collapsing buildings and congested host dwellings, exposing children and women to dire protection conditions. The food and nutrition need for NW remain dire, with the area classified under IPC 3 and trends continuing to worsen.
• The PM shall be based in Gusau, reporting to the NW Field Coordinator also based in Gusau. They will work in harmony with WASH PM. The core roles for this position include Project planning and design, implementation and monitoring, procurement planning and budget expenditure and follow up. Capitalization/documentation; Staff management and reporting& representation.
• Nutrition is a key component of this function and hence the FSL PM shall be expected to demonstrate experience and skills in Nutrition.

Description of the Position
Diagnosis and project design:

• Contribute to diagnosis and project design in Food Security & Livelihood (FSL) sector
• Participate in evaluations in order to identify FSL-related needs
• Contribute to determine financial, logistics and human resources for the project’s implementation
• Draft the technical chapters and appendixes of project proposals

Implementation and operational monitoring:

• Plan and oversee the implementation of FSL activities in compliance with SI operational strategy, technical requirements, and donor criteria.
• Plan activities and identify the appropriate means and resources to ensure a smooth implementation, in collaboration with the support Departments (administrative, logistics) and the local partner
• Ensure the achievement of the results on a timely manner;
• Identify relevant quality criteria and monitoring indicators for program activities, and ensure the regular tracking of these indicators;
• Use SI standard tools for project progress follow-up;
• Ensure sound and continuous monitoring of program activities, and propose adjustments when necessary
• Support the Logistics team in the procurement of specific items
• Ensure program budget follow-up and initiate cash flow forecast in liaison with Finance team
• Anticipate operational problems and propose solutions to solve it
• Organize regularly evaluation meetings with team members and local partners
• Be the operational focal person for the local partner with regard to FSL activities;

Capitalization:

• Draft and document lessons learnt from FSL activities
• Use SI standard tools for lessons learning and institutional knowledge management,
• Ensure dissémination of SI technical documentation
• Ensure project data and information is archived and shared appropriately;
• Write handover report before the end of his/her contract;

HR Management:

• Evaluate and update human resources need, create or update job descriptions, and draft recruitment request in collaboration with Field Coordinator and Administrative Department
• Contribute to the recruitment process for staff under his/her supervision;
• Welcome and brief new employees (including the local partner’s ones under his/her responsibility)
• Manage and support the team under his/her responsibility
• Ensure regular performance appraisal of project staff under his/her management
• Develop training plan and facilitate technical trainings for project staff
• Conduct workshops and regular or ad hoc meetings with project staff
• Make sure the FSL staff follow the safety rules set by SI

Reporting / communications / representation:

• Share with the appropriate responsible any information on the security context and any event which may have consequences on SI activities and team safety
• Carry out regular team meetings to relate individuals’ contributions to project objectives and to develop and inform members of decisions;
• Draft the reports , annexes and project amendments to donors, together with FSL and MEAL Coordinator team and field coordinator;
• Contribute to monthly and ad-hoc reports to local authorities;
• Prepare relevant documents (MOU, handover certificate, etc) to be signed with local authorities, communities and other partners, in collaboration with the Field Coordinator,
• Attend technical meetings with government departments, other aid agencies and donors, and represent the organization when required;
• Liaise with other organizations and agencies to share experiences and lessons learnt;
• Represent SI on request and/or delegation
• Maintain a local operational communication network and positive relations with the local/governmental authorities, donor representatives, UN and other international agencies in cooperation with the Program Manager and Program Coordinator

Priorities on the 2 - 3 months

• Coordinate with the WASH team to map potential beneficiaries and conduct registrations
• Develop an implementation plan with clear activities, budget and indicators, focusing on the Income generating activity, Agricultural input support and Nutrition Cash distribution
• Review existing data, reports, and partner activities, meet with local authorities, community leaders, and humanitarian actors and participate in FSL Cluster and inter-agency coordination meeting. With the support of the Field Coordinator, identify all stakeholders that are relevant for the project and build strong relationship.

Profile Forsaken

• Studies: M.Sc./B.Sc. in Agriculture, Agricultural Economic, Animal husbandry, Agronomy and Soil Science, Forestry or any related field
• Experience: 3 years’ relevant experience with other INGO and at least 3 years’ experience in the humanitarian sector.
• Language: Good command of English is mandatory, knowledge of any local dialects is an added advantage.
• IT: Good knowledge of MS Office Word, PowerPoint, advance MS Office Excel Knowledge, and Power BI
• Technical Skills: Experience using payment platforms such as Redrose, Nagis, Segovia
• Transversal Skills: Interpersonal skills, reliable, honest, accountable, resistance to stress, team player, good prioritization of task, Management skills, Planning skills, flexibility to meet deadlines.. A team player with strong technical competence.

What we offer

• Salary + transport & housing contribution + social benefits (medical coverage, 24 days of Annual leaves per year, compassionate leaves, public holidays as announced by government, festive bonus, Life insurance - covering death and permanent disability) etc.