Latest Jobs at VSO

Responsibilities
The volunteer will have a range of tasks and activities:

• Train and build the capacity of the partners, the community agriculture extension volunteers (CAEVs) and other project partners on routine data collection and analysis as it relates to the IMA4P project.
• Train and build the capacity of the partners, the community agriculture extension volunteers (CAEVs) and other project partners on monitoring and evaluation processes for the IMA4P project and other related programmes.
• Train partners and community volunteers on reporting, sharing success stories and case studies.
• Explore opportunities to strengthen impact such as: build networks and relationships for partners to link with major strategic organizations (e.g. government agricultural department, INGOs, NGOs,) working in a similar field that may be able to support partner intervention through funding/knowledge sharing/joint working/to address major overarching issues.
• Analysis of needs assessment reports and developing action plan for interventions on the identified needs
• Work with partners and all stakeholders to develop monitoring tools for collecting routine data that informs the monitoring and evaluation framework.
• Fulfill an advocacy role for VSO as and when required
• Actively participate in the Monitoring and Evaluation of the programme (baseline, periodic monitoring, gathering data, analysis and reporting).
• Write periodic progress reports as per VSO requirements.

Key Performance Indicator
The Key performance indicators of this placement are that:

• Number of partners and volunteers who have increased skills in data collection and analysis.
• Number of partners and volunteers who have increased knowledge in monitoring and evaluation and in the use of the M & E tools.
• Number of partners, volunteers and other beneficiaries who are able to write reports, case studies and success/significant change stories.
• Evidences of monitoring and evaluation support to project partners and VSO, through reports and feedbacks.
• Number of linkages along the value chain crops and value chain markets identified as a result of baseline conducted.

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.

Skills and Knowledge
Essential:

• Excel, Power Point and/or Microsoft Project
• Mentoring and coaching; Flexible and adaptable
• Good, clear communication skills; Good facilitation skills
• Resourcefulness and ability to solve problems
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to adapt knowledge and experience to Nigeria
• Ability to support others to adapt ideas to their own context
• Good understanding of agriculture extension services and value chain

Desirable:

• Ability to speak Hausa
• Previous work experience in West Africa would be an added advantage
• Experience in programme management and staff capacity building

Interview/Assessment date(s)
TBC

Start Date
March, 2017.

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Responsibilities
The volunteer will have a range of tasks and activities:

• Develop strategy, participate in team discussions for group strengthening of farmer collectives.
• Take a lead in implementing the strategy for farmer collective strengthening
• Provide guidance and support to the project partner and its staff members in assessing the context and needs of female farmers and farmer collectives
• Contribute to the development of relations with farmer collectives and other partners and work towards their strengthening and organise dialogue among diverse project stakeholders
• Strengthening the competence – of farmer collectives and other partners to assist in the design and delivery of training and other support activities
• Support project partners and staff members/coordinators to ensure the participation of marginalised groups  women, young people and the people with disabilities and engage them to participate in the dialogue and advocacy
• Help develop appropriate advocacy strategies - in co-operation with partners and the team
• Monitor and analyse the official and non-governmental debates on issues relevant to the project
• Serve as the program resource for gender-based questions and engage with stakeholders’ gender issues being addressed by the project
• Advise partner VSO and partner staff on ways to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality through program interventions, and advise on how to tailor each intervention to ensure that women are able to attend and participate fully;

Key Performance Indicator
The Key performance indicators of this placement are that:

• Target beneficiaries are able to sustain their livelihoods and the livelihoods of their families. This includes managing their own businesses, supply their produce to the markets and are always able to meet the market demands by having adequate produce for identified markets.

Below includes number indicators:

• Number of beneficiaries who have increased produce for the markets as a result of agriculture extension support and trainings received.
• Number of beneficiaries who have increased their income and have businesses as a result of training and support received.
• Number of beneficiaries able to reach the market demands through supplies of their produce.
• Number of beneficiaries supported/reached.
• Number of female participants in IMA4P Project capacity building interventions designed to increase access to productive economic resources (assets, credit, income or employment);

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.

Skills and Knowledge

• Relevant degree in Social Sciences or related area of studies
• A good overview of farmer collectives,cooperative management, agronomy and  agribusiness systems and challenges, people centered security and peace and conflict prevention issues
• An active interest in the workings of civil society networks
• A minimum of two year relevant work experience supporting  farmer cooperatives, CSOs/networks
• Ability to advocating on issues  that affect poor marginalized farmers
• Good understanding/
• knowledge of the local context and sensitivities [Niger State]
• Fluency in written and spoken English essential
• Ability to speak hausa and/or another local language
• Analytical skills
• Good communication skills, written and oral
• A positive problem-solving approach
• Enthusiasm to learn and apply new skills
• High level of interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with, local communities, partner staff, and policy makers
• Ability to work under pressure
• Experience in project data gathering and planning and review (especially in agriculture)
• Proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, Power Point and/or Microsoft Project

Interview/Assessment date(s)
8th February, 2017.

Start Date
1st March, 2017.