Project Coordinantor_VSLA at CARE

I.      JOB SUMMARY:

The project coordinator is responsible for managing of Blank VSLA project team (Field Officers and MEAL officer) in Yobe state and supporting in managing the activities of partners BASNEC and SWODEN in Bauchi and Jigawa respectively. This team will work very closely with the community, project participants (beneficiaries), State Authorities, LGA Authorities, national and International NGOs, national partners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to ensure effective planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Women Economic Empowerment activities.

The incumbent will ensure that projects are implemented as per the approved proposals and CARE’s programming approach. The incumbent is responsible for preparation of high quality reports in a timely manner.

II.    RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Job Responsibility #1:  

• Assist the Project Manager and act in his/her absence.
• Overall supervision of VSLA activities
• Supervise VSLA staff at all levels.
• Provide technical input to Women Economic Empowerment encompassing Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA), Income Generation Activities (IGAs) and others
• Supervise field studies, assessments etc.
• Prepare high quality timely project field reports. 
• Prepare monthly project implementation plans.
• Prepare monthly budget of the project activities in Yobe state and submit to the Project manager.
• Carry out direct reports performance appraisals as required in a timely manner
• Effectively represent CARE at the LGA and State before the respective authorities, communities and national.
• Participate in workshops, trainings and meetings organized by CARE and other agencies and contribute effectively to the success of the events.

% of Time:  60%

• Job Responsibilities #2: Supervision and Management of Direct Report
• Identify training needs for staff and inform Project manager.
• Assist the Project Manager to manage, train and develop the field staff and partners.
• Identify direct reports capacity development needs and in consultation with the Project Manager
• Guide direct reports prepare performance plans and appraise them in consultation with FNSL Sector Manager and HR staff.
• Support HR and FNSL sector in field staff or volunteer recruitment

% of Time:  20%

Job Responsibilities #3: Administration

Support procurement and administrative tasks at the State and LGAs levels.
Support safety and security tasks at all levels.
% of Time:  10%

Job Responsibilities #4:

Perform any other tasks assigned to by Project manager or his/her designate.

% of Time:  10%

III.           PROBLEM SOLVING (Thinking Environment)

There are three levels of problem-solving: 

What has to be done and how to do it are clearly defined, and the incumbent will face identical or similar problems on a regular basis;
What has to be done is known, but how to do it is not defined. The incumbent must use interpolative skills to pick and choose the right strategy to address a given problem; and
Why things are done is known, but what has to be done and how to do it are not defined. 
Situations are variable and the incumbent’s response will involve analysis, problem definition, development of alternatives, and making recommendations. S/he will face and address problems that are typically non-recurring.

IV.           QUALIFICATIONS (KNOW HOW)

A) EDUCATION/TRAINING:

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Admin and Economic development, Livelihoods, Community Development or relevant field with minimum 3 years working experience.
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in Managerial positions in Women Economic Empowerment projects. 

Desired:

B) EXPERIENCE:

Required:

•  At least 2 years’ experience in working with women cooperative groups in emergency, relief and development.
• Excellent in VSLA.
• Very good technical knowledge in Business Plan Development, Income Generating Activities.

Desired:

Previous experience working with an INGO or a Development organization.  

C) TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Required:

• Experience in VSLA, Livelihoods, Micro and medium women businesses, gender and nutrition.
• Solid experience of community mobilization approaches and coordination with governments
• Experience in emergency response and / or development projects
• Specific experience of application of relevant approaches, methodologies, practices.
• Experience working with international NGOs
• Strong supervisory and communication skills.
• Excellent inter-personal skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines yet effectively coordinate program activities with other CARE projects and other similar interventions being implemented in the same operational area.
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Microsoft Office Package skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Desired:

• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Excellent inter-personal skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines yet effectively coordinate program activities with other CARE projects and other similar interventions being implemented in the same operational area.
• Experienced problem solver and decision maker.
• Good leadership qualities and ability to interact effectively with donors, counterparts and organizations.
• Advanced computer skills – MS office package.
• good written and oral communication skills

D) COMPETENCIES:

• Strong level of autonomy to provide independent follow through on processing issues and concerns
• Excellent planning, organizational and time management skills
• Integrity
• Details focus
• Strong team player
• Strong problem solving, analytical, operational, and coordinating abilities
• Good interpersonal, oral and written communication and presentation skills
• Strong customer service focus and ability to work well with people from various backgrounds and cultures at all levels in organization.