Project Assistant at Secours Islamique France (SIF)

The Project Assistant ensures the field implementation of CDCS activities, in coordination with the Program Manager. S/he:

• Supervises the activity implementation for his/ her projects at field level.
• Monitors and reports on his/ her activities.
• Participates to the security analysis in his/ her program locations.
• Contributes the elaboration of the mission’s operational strategy and coordination.
• Represents SIF towards relevant stakeholders.

The Project Assistant is part of SIF Nigeria team and will be under the line management of the Program Manager. S/he will be based in SIF sub-office of Gusau/Zamfara.

MAIN RESPONSABILITIES

Activity implementation (in cooperation with the Program Manager):

• Follow up with all team members to ensure deadlines are met for all SIF projects in Zamfara.
• Foresee and highlight any possible challenge related to the implementation to the program manager and suggest solutions.  
• Work in close coordination with MEAL officer, WPE officer and the program manager to ensure coordinated implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
• Monitor project activities through regular field visits and report back to the program manager.
• Coordinate with the logistics and security teams regarding team mobility and security clearance.
• Monitor the team’s progress against the agreed plan and report back to the program manager.
• Record project progress on a weekly basis, in coordination with the MEAL officer and share with the program manager.

Monitoring (in cooperation with the Program Manager):

• To make frequent field visits to monitor program implementation and to identify opportunities/ constraints/ adjustments needed.

• To hold planning and progress review meetings with local authorities, community leaders, and operational partners.
• To ensure quality control of the projects and the respect of agreed standards (including mainstreamed gender and protection, beneficiary participation, accountability, etc).

Reporting (in cooperation with the Program Manager):

• To inform immediately (verbally and in written if requested) the Program Manager of any delay, conflict, problem encountered as part of the project implementation.
• To provide written updates to the Program Manager, as per the frequency agreed with her.
• To prepare internal quantitative and qualitative monthly activity reports.
• To capitalize documentation and ensure it is properly stored (beneficiary lists, procurement/ distribution documents, training attendance sheets, reports, pictures).

Security (in cooperation with the Program Manager and Logistic Department):

• To strictly follow internal security rules and regulations.
• To follow the evolution of the security context with relevant stakeholders (team members, partner organizations, local authorities, community leaders, etc) and to regularly report to the Program Manager.
• To propose temporary security measures for his/her program team whenever necessary.
• To propose, if necessary, security plans updating.

Representation (when requested by the Program Manager):

• To liaise with local authorities, community leaders, and other NGOs/ agencies to ensure implementation of common standards in the field.
• To actively attend conferences, coordination meetings with local authorities/ community leaders/ other NGOs, and working groups etc.
• To elaborate presentation projects tools (objectives, methodology, activities, and results) for local authorities, other NGOs and agencies, donors, etc.

The task list is neither exhaustive nor restrictive and it is evolving.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master degree in Agronomy or Agricultural Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of previous experience in humanitarian work, including in the FSL sector.
• Extensive knowledge of project cycle management.
• Experience in team management and strong leadership skills.
• Well-developed organizational and planning skills.
• Ability to produce quality work and to make decisions under pressure.
• Excellent written and spoken English; ability to speak Hausa and/or Kanuri is a plus.
• Good computer skills and proficiency in the use of MS Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel).

SOFT SKILLS

• Strong communication and representation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.
• Self-motivation.
• Understand and commit to SIF’s mission, values, and policies.
• Respect humanitarian principles and ensure SIF’s neutrality.
• Respect the “do-no-harm” principle and develop an acceptance strategy.
• Maintain beneficiaries’ confidentiality at all times.

SIF being an association with limited means, versatility and flexibility are necessary in order to overcome any difficulty temporary and exceptional.

The employee may be affected to perform other tasks in accordance with it job category, in case of need related to the functioning of the Association or to changes in its policy and it organization, and respecting the pattern of fixed-term contract. 

CONDITIONS

6 months with possible extension.

LOCATION

Position based in: Nigeria, Zamfara State, Gusau LGA

Moves: Within Gusau, Tsafe, Anka, and Talata Mafara LGAs