Livelihood Assistant - Monguno at Center for Advocacy, Transparency, and Accountability Initiative (CATAI)

Description

• The Center for Advocacy, Transparency, and Accountability Initiative (CATA) is seeking a dynamic and dedicated Livelihood Assistant to play a pivotal role in our economic recovery programs.
• This role supports conflict-affected communities in Borno State to rebuild their livelihoods.
• The ideal candidate understands community-led development and is passionate about helping vulnerable people regain self-reliance.
• This position is central to our mission and requires a proactive, results-oriented professional.
• For over five years, CATAI has played a central role in the humanitarian response in Northeast Nigeria.
• With funding and partnerships from UNICEF, OCHA, UNDP, IOM, ECHO-JRS, SDC, and others, we have supported thousands of people across the BAY states through interventions in Child Protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), Education in Emergencies (EiE), Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Livelihoods and Peacebuilding, and Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA).

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Strategic Program Execution: Implement livelihood activities in line with project goals.
• Community-Centric Engagement: Build strong relationships with beneficiaries, community leaders, and stakeholders.
• Data-Driven Monitoring & Reporting: Collect and report accurate data to track project progress
• Stakeholder Collaboration & Resource Coordination: Facilitate seamless coordination with internal teams (finance, logistics, safeguarding) to ensure efficient resource allocation and risk mitigation.
• Beneficiary Protection and Safeguarding: Uphold and promote the highest standards of beneficiary protection and safeguarding in all interactions, ensuring all program activities are implemented in a conflict-sensitive and do-no-harm manner.
• Budget and Resource Management: Assist in the prudent management of field-level project resources and assets, ensuring proper documentation and accountability for all expenditures.
• Knowledge and Learning Management: Proactively identify and document best practices and lessons learned from field activities, contributing to the development of case studies and success stories.
• Cross-Sectoral Integration: Coordinate with other sectoral teams (e.g., Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Protection, Nutrition) to ensure an integrated approach that addresses the multi-faceted needs of beneficiaries, promoting holistic well-being.
• Capacity Building and Training: Organize and deliver trainings on financial literacy, business planning, and sustainable farming.
• Feedback and Complaint Mechanisms: Serve as focal point for community feedback and ensure concerns are addressed promptly and confidentially.
• Needs and Market Assessments: Lead and conduct rapid sectorial needs and market assessments in the field to inform and refine program strategy.
• Logistical Implementation: Take charge of the logistical implementation of livelihood goods, including the secure and accountable distribution of goods to the distribution points.
• Liaison with Authorities: Ensure liaison and consistent engagement with government institutions at the LGA level and other relevant stakeholders.
• Community-Based Support Systems: Assess the potential of the community to establish and manage a community-based support system for vulnerable cases.

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Competencies

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Economics, Agriculture, Education, or related fields.
• Experience: 2 - 4years’ experience (mid-level), preferable in livelihoods, vocational training, income-generation, or community development.

Lines of Communication & Collaboration:

• Internal: The Livelihood Assistant will report directly to the Livelihood Officer and and will collaborate closely with other program staff, the MEAL team, and operational departments to ensure the project is well-integrated and supported.
• External: The assistant will be a primary point of contact for beneficiaries, community leaders, local government authorities, and representatives from partner organizations. This role requires building and maintaining strong external networks to support program sustainability.

Required Technical Know-How:

• Comprehensive Livelihood Expertise: Demonstrated technical proficiency in key areas such as the implementation of Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) modalities, facilitating Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), conducting market assessments, and delivering vocational skills training that is responsive to local demand.
• Digital Data and Information Management: Exceptional competence in using digital data collection tools (e.g., KoboToolbox, ODK) for survey design and field data collection, coupled with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel and Word) for data analysis and reporting.
• Humanitarian Standards: A clear and demonstrable understanding of key humanitarian standards and guidelines, including the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) on Quality and Accountability and the Sphere standards for humanitarian response, with a focus on protection mainstreaming and do-no-harm principles.
• Community-Based Planning: Proven ability to engage communities in participatory approaches, including Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), to ensure that project interventions are designed and implemented with direct input from beneficiaries.
• Financial Literacy and Business Skills: Practical experience in developing and delivering training materials on basic financial literacy, bookkeeping, and small business management for low-literacy audiences.

Desired Attributes and Qualities:

• Principled and Accountable: Demonstrates unwavering honesty, integrity, and a strong commitment to duty and ethical conduct, taking ownership of their work and being accountable to beneficiaries and stakeholders.
• Empathetic and Community-Focused: Possesses a genuine concern for the well-being of others and the ability to build trust and rapport with diverse community members, including the most vulnerable. This includes a deep respect for local customs and traditions.
• Resilient and Adaptable: Capable of working effectively and professionally under pressure in challenging and dynamic field environments. A proactive problem-solver who can navigate complexity with grace and composure.
• Collaborative: A proactive team player who contributes positively to a cohesive and supportive work environment. The ability to listen actively, communicate clearly, and work harmoniously with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
• Initiative and Proactiveness: An individual who takes initiative to identify and capitalize on opportunities for program improvement and innovation without constant supervision.
• Language: Fluency in English required; Hausa or Kanuri is added advantage.