National Professional Volunteer - Market Systems Development and Livelihood Specialist at VSO

Location: Kano (with frequent travel to other states)
Type of role: Agriculture and natural resources
Duration: 1st April -December, 2021
Start Date: 22 March, 2021
Mode of delivery: Working from home and at project location

Job Purpose

• This National Professional volunteer role will contribute to VSO Rural Livelihood Practice Area with its focus on the Market Systems and Livelihood specialist will be responsible for implementing all aspects of the market systems development and Livelihood interventions of the Rural Resilience activity.
• This position holder will be required to apply a wide variety of market development tools and approaches to catalyse innovative services, facilitate and manage relevant market linkages between market actors in areas targeted by the project.
• S / he will provide field and office-based support to the Market Systems Development and Livelihood Specialist. The position will support the training of staff, the provision of technical assistance; and ensuring that common strategies and approaches are applied consistently in all communities.
• S / he will coordinate closely with the M&E team to ensure that systems are in place to track, analyse and report results.

Responsibilities
Technical Support:

• Support the implementation of teamwork plans and the successful implementation of Livelihood and market systems development activities, ensuring timely implementation of work plan activities and identification of target groups within the approved budget, and the achievement of program deliverables for the desired impact.
• Support the provision of technical guidance on Livelihood and market systems development and ensure that interventions are responsive to stakeholders and consistent with VSO relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan. Support the MSD & Livelihood Specialist to ensure that interventions are evidence-based and adhere to adaptive management principles.
• Collaborate closely with and support the MSD & Livelihood Specialist, Financial Services Specialist and Investment Fund Manager to manage the Grant Facility aspect of the program to catalyze new investment in viable economic opportunities (market systems, Livelihood, agribusiness, and employment) through grants that stimulate, rather than distort market development and avoid exacerbating conflict dynamics.
• Support the conduct and / or update of market assessments, involving direct stakeholders as well as public and private sector actors working within the target value chains and market systems.
• Support the integration of community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate while ensuring that all interventions adhere to VSO Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
• Support the management of relationships and coordination with local implementing partners.
• Actively support planning meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance / buy-in.
• In coordination with the MEL team, support the implementation of monitoring activities through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact, actively supporting the documentation of approaches, successes and lessons learned.
• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.
• Represent VSO at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Market Systems Development and Livelihood Specialists and program leadership.
• Support in the coordination of activities with consortium partners, sub-grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other VSO programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Management:

• Support resilience teams including the VSO Project in collection and or publication of good practices, success stories, project outcome documents, etc. in resilience work with Communication, Learning to develop knowledge products, communication materials and other IEC materials to promote awareness raising about Resilience.
• Ensure regular and comprehensive monitoring for reporting on the gender-related indicators in the project areas in consultation with the Project Manager and in line with donor requirements.

Capacity Building:

• Assist in the development of case studies, best practices, and key learning on gender mainstreaming and integration into Livelihood program including generating success stories related to project and project developments as they relate to gender equality issues to feed into the linking and learning objectives of the program.
• Aid in data collection, compiling lessons learned, establishing indicators to support knowledge sharing. Support in updating and sharing with staff recent developments and knowledge tools in the areas of interventions.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Set agreed indicators and milestones based on the result framework developed
• Provide feedback to the programme team based on the field monitoring visits
• Support the project team in developing high quality project/ programme reports regarding resilience perspective
• Liaise with VSO colleagues and some project partners to ensure timely submission of contributions.

Networking and Project Logistics Support:

• Coordinate and build relationship with Rural Livelihoods global team, VSO project / program, government, CSOs, partners and private sectors.
• Facilitate the organization partner meetings and field risk assessment processes.
• Under the responsibility of the PM, take part in logistical and administrative organization, planning, and preparation of the projects.
• Ensure the follow-up and the proper use of materials and tools used during on-site works.
• Manage the supply of materials to the work site in collaboration with logistic department.

The tasks and responsibilities defined in this job description are non-exhaustive and can evolve depending on the project’s needs.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Most vulnerable areas and causes of vulnerability identified
• Disaster risk preparedness and management plans developed.
• Training module on resilience and humanitarian aid and disaster preparedness developed
• Workshops/ training / coaching on disaster risk preparedness and management conducted
• The final objectives will be confirmed in a three way discussion between the volunteer, employer and VSO in the first three months of the placement.

Skill, Knowledge & Experience
Professional Skills and Qualifications Needed for the Position:

• Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Economics or Business Administration; Master's Degree preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated experience with USG or other similar development projects focused on market systems and livelihood development, with a solid understanding of context including gender and youth issues
• Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including government, community-based organizations, and the private sector;
• Technical experience in market system development approach to development
• Experience with supporting assessments, monitoring and evaluation and other learning efforts required.
• Ability to work independently
• Demonstrated strengths in analytical skills and report writing
• Excellent oral, written and computer skills
• Fluency in English and Hausa is required.

Personal Qualifications Needed for the Position:

• Committed to rights based and gender sensitivity work, pro-poor policy, committed and strong civil society organizations and social mobilization.
• Able, willing and committed to work with people from different backgrounds
• Contribute constructively to a working environment based on mutual respect, trust and commitment
• Able to cope with stress and work under any challenging circumstances.

Competencies:
Building and Sustaining working relationships:

• The social skills to build and actively maintain working relationships that foster teamwork and collaboration with others for the benefit of a common goal.

Open Minded and Respectful:

• A non-judgemental approach that values other people and culture.

Seeking and Sharing Knowledge:

• Recognition that learning is a two-way and continuous process.

Facilitating Positive Change:

• The ability to analyse problems and develop lasting solutions in line with VSO approaches.

Adaptability:

• A flexible approach and the ability to adapt behaviour to different situations.

Resilience:

• The self-confidence to work with a variety of situations, diverse people and ambiguity.

Allowance

• As a VSO volunteer, you will be sharing your skills with local communities on a full time basis.
• VSO will cover your travel, vaccinations, accommodation, and medical insurance costs, along with a local living allowance which will be paid in local currency. This allowance meets reasonable living expenses in country, but will not be enough to send money home.
• You will also receive some financial support to contribute to your on-going expenses at home.

Accommodation:

• VSO works with some of the poorest communities in the world which means accommodation varies and will be basic.