Technical Advisor - Livelihood (Agricultural and Non-agricultural) at Plan International

Role Purpose

• The purpose of this role is to provide strategic and operational advice and support to all Livelihoods related activities, projects, team members and partners in the technical delivery of all the Livelihoods component of the Nigeria For Women Project (NFWP), Federal Project Coordination Unit (FPCU) and the State Project Coordination Units (SPCUs) interventions on Livelihoods in Abuja with travel to states of Abia, Ogun, Kebbi, Niger, Akwa Ibom and Taraba.
• The Livelihoods Advisor is expected to provide strategic leadership in Livelihoods programmes and will be responsible for the quality and effectiveness of Plan International Nigeria’s component on the NFW Project. The Livelihoods Advisor strengthens the country office’s overall capacity to be prepared for and respond to Livelihoods programmes in accordance with Plan’s principles and practices.

Dimensions of the Role

• Support the development, implementation and periodic review of all Livelihoods components of the project, including engagement with broad range of project stakeholders.

Accountabilities

• Provide technical leadership to project lead and team implementing Livelihoods Programmes. 
• Lead on the development and disseminating the Livelihoods related strategy; developing, leading and managing quality program design; and developing and testing tools that can be used in the field.
• Contribute to also improve operational systems, internal capacity building (including mentoring staff trained in researches that are Livelihoods related.
• Lead on the development and implementation of all Livelihoods training activities on the project, ensuring the highest quality of standard.
• Engagement of the women groups on Livelihoods programmes.
• Develop knowledge base of the target beneficiaries on farming techniques, income generation activities, financial management, marketing strategies, storage, crop and livestock value chain, networking, value addition of products, linkage to research institutes and markets, farmers field school, business management and other livelihood enhancement innovations as identified under the NFW Project and more.
• Provide input for weekly and monthly activities.
• Respect the rights and dignity of the people while representing Plan International in the community.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with stakeholders (traditional leaders, religious leaders, government officials and other actors) in adjacent communities.
• Support in follow up of activities and respond to feedback from the beneficiaries.
• Network with other agencies, UN bodies, donors and other critical stakeholders whilst also working closely with other members of development teams to advance children, adolescent and youth rights (especially for girls).
• Contribute to project research and support Monitoring and Evaluation processes.
• Work with the Project Manager to regularly develop and disseminate knowledge management materials.
• Ensure the principle of safety and confidentiality of beneficiaries’ data.
• Support the Project Manager to identify and celebrate campaigns and event days related to the overall project.
• Participate in the joint monitoring of the livelihoods approaches with Government and other partners.
• Work with Project Officers to ensure community structures have the requisite technical livelihoods knowledge.
• Provide technical insights in the development of curricula, advocacy and community mobilization strategies, including IEC materials and radio messages to ensure service delivery issues are captured.
• Provide technical support to partner activities to ensure consistency with livelihoods objectives.
• Contribute to technical report writing under the lead of the Project Manager.
• Support regular advocacies to local stakeholders to improve and sustain project buy-in and operations.
• Support the establishment and maintenance of good working relationship with the relevant State actors, local government authorities and other stakeholders.
• Assume any other responsibility as assigned by the Project Manager.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Qualifications and Experience

• 4-6 years’ experience providing technical support to livelihoods related projects in Nigeria
• University education in social sciences or development study related course. An advanced degree such as MPhil, MSc in related field will be an added advantage.
• Experience working in development /humanitarian projects funded by bilateral /multi donors will be a plus.
• Experience in utilizing livelihoods approaches in communities will be a plus.
• A history of productive involvement with local partners, including from government, traditional leadership, and civil society
• Demonstrated knowledge and background in community mobilization and engagement on livelihoods related projects.
• Demonstrated Knowledge in gender transformative programming
• Demonstrated problem solving skills, collaboration experience, creativity and willingness to innovate
• Experience working with multiple donors
• Experience drafting project reporting and monitoring project progress
• Excellent written and spoken English language skills
• Knowledge of local Nigerian language(s) preferred but not required

Skills & Knowledge

• Basic financial and administrative skills
• Communicates clearly and effectively appropriate to the audience
• Possession of good report writing skills
• Passion for learning and development.
• Good computer literacy skills.
• Team player

Behaviours:

• Provides good and adequate administrative support to enable the project meet its agreed program outcomes.
• Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity of yourself and others, able to make complex decisions whilst working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-national team under difficult circumstances and ability to work with trustworthiness and integrity and have a clear commitment to Plan International Nigeria's core values.
• Resilient and flexible individual who has demonstrable experience in working in livelihoods or with children in development and humanitarian settings or fragile contexts.
• Actively seeks for support in addressing difficulties in execution of duties.