Governance Officer - Yola _ Internal Only at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The Governance Officer is responsible for the implementation, and monitoring of the ERC project. S/he will support the Senior Governance Officer in implementing Governance projects. S/he will support the Senior Governance Officer in ensuring that projects run smoothly by providing technical support, training, and mentoring stakeholders both at government and community levels, and coordinating the implementation of project activities. The Governance Officer will contribute to the IRC Governance program and proposal development. S/he will play an active role in establishing and managing relationships with local partners, humanitarian actors, state authorities, beneficiaries and local/traditional leaders and contribute to the achievement of IRC Governance program and IRC SAP.

Responsibilities:

Project planning and implementation

• Contribute to the strategic direction of the Governance program in Adamawa state through active and ongoing participation in and contribution to strategic planning meetings and development of strategic documents.
• Continuously work closely with the Governance M&E Officer to ensure project quality; for example, strengthening data collection, reporting, accountability initiatives, and documenting the impact of IRC presence in the field.
• Support the Senior Governance Officer to conduct context analysis assessments in the intervention locations in collaboration with the M&E Officer.
• Ensure synergy and coordination of Governance programming with other IRC sectoral activities in Adamawa State, in close coordination and consultation with other Governance staff.
• Work with the Senior Governance Officer and Governance and Advocacy Manager to contribute to new project development, including both narratives and budgets.
• Contribute and support effective monitoring, evaluation and learning processes and initiatives, and ensure effective data and information management for project.
• Support the Senior Governance Officer in developing monthly work plans focused on key outputs and outcomes in consultation with other Governance staff.
• Carryout major Capacity strengthening activities for and with Stakeholders.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity, capacity strengthening and mainstream governance approaches into all activities as appropriate.
• Conduct Governance activity visits in target communities.
• Lead in establishing, overseeing, and ensuring the smooth running of Community Structures and their activities.

Reporting and documentation

• Ensure the timely and quality delivery of weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual project reports.
• Ensure high-quality IRC and donor reports on activities, indicators, and achievements.
• Work jointly and in collaboration with the Senior Governance Officer and the M&E officer to consolidate and disseminate quarterly project reports.
• Ensure that all reporting is disaggregated by age and gender.
• Keep proper records of all project activities.

Team Management

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback to the Senior Governance Officer, and Governance M&E officer.
• Contribute to IRC Governance sector team-building efforts, support in solving arising problems and support the Senior Governance Officer in the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure full compliance with IRC and donor financial guidelines and policies while managing the Governance Sector project.
• Support the Senior Governance Officer in developing monthly spending plans.

Logistics, Procurement, Safety and Security:

• Develop procurement plans and item forecasts in consultation with the Senior Governance Manager and coordinate with the Adamawa based Supply Chain Manager for the delivery of items to the field as per project planning.
• Ensure compliance with security management rules and procedures.
• And all other duties as assigned by the supervisor. 

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Senior Governance Officer, based in Yola

Position directly supervises: n/a

Indirect Reporting: Governance and Advocacy Manager and Governance Coordinator, based in Maiduguri
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

• Internal: M&E Staff, Governance Officers/Assistants, and other IRC staff.
• External: Service provider, Traditional and Community Leaders, Local Government Authorities, Government Ministries/Agencies, Community Volunteers and CSOs working in project communities.

Qualifications

• University degree in law, Political science, psychology, Geography, social sciences, or social work (bachelors as a minimum).
• Minimum of 2 years working experience in Governance programming with focus on developmental programming, climate change and peacebuilding.
• Community Engagement and entry experience
• Experience of working in the Northeast.
• Experience of coordination and engagement with stakeholders at both community and government levels. Skills in advocacy essential
• Ability to function in a team especially field teams in a challenging environment
• Ability and willingness to live and work in a challenging environment
• Good communication skills (written and verbal), cultural sensitivity, flexibility, ability to improvise, team player, fluency in English and Hausa languages, fluency in Fulfulde is a plus.
• Strong computer skills required (word and excel and PowerPoint).