VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT- SOCIAL PROTECTION PROJECT OFFICER

Concern Worldwide is an international non-governmental humanitarian organization dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.                                            

Job Title:

Social Protection Project Officer

Job Location:

This position will be based in Odweyne office with regular travels to programme locations in Somaliland.

Reports to:

Social Protection Field Coordinator

Contract Details:

1 year with high possibility of extension

Job Purpose

The Social Protection Project Officer position is responsible for carrying out all aspects of programme delivery through Cash-based Social Transfers. The Social Protection Project Officer will work closely with target communities, targeting beneficiaries, conducting mobilisation, sensitization activities, verification assessment, conducting Post Distribution Monitoring, establishing relationships with community, MoH and MCH staff, line ministries, local government and leaders and private sector partners, and overseeing social transfer payments to the right beneficiaries.

Main Duties &

Responsibilities:

Programme implementation:

·         Responsible for the day-to-day implementation of CSSP programme in the community.

·         Take lead in community mobilization, awareness raising and sensitization on CSSP Programme.

·         Carry out awareness and disseminate to the community criteria for beneficiary selection.

·         Actively participate in the beneficiary selection based on eligibility and targeting criteria.

·         Actively participate in the verification of beneficiaries as well as registration on rolling basis.

·         Facilitate the delivery of Social protection cash transfers.

·         Participate in the mapping of health and nutrition services in line with intended programme outcomes.

·         Participate in the sensitization and messaging on Maternal Infant and Young Child Nutrition with clear linkages with nutrition and health centers.

·         Promote active participation of targeted beneficiary communities in project activities.

·         Work with Community heads/leads and Ministry of Employment, Social and Family Affairs Regional and District Representatives for effective implementations of the CSSP Programme.

·         Actively participate in community consultative process, document and share timely key discussions and feedback with Field Coordinator.

·         Timely and appropriately engage in problem solving for any issues arising from the communities/beneficiaries/authorities before escalating; promptly share information with Field Coordinator and Programme Manager.

·         Produce timely quality field project activity reports, clearly highlighting progress and any issues or challenges for attention to line manager.

·         Undertake regular monitoring visits as per work plan as agreed with Senior Field Coordinator.

·         Undertake periodic beneficiary discussions and engagements to keep up to date with community perceptions of the programme.

·         Keep Field Coordinator and Programme Manager up to date and informed about the situation in the field and any contextual developments which may affect activities and require timely action or change of plan.

·         Maintain transparent, accurate two-way information flow with targeted communities and key programme stakeholders.

·         Ensure beneficiary mobilization and sensitizations on CRM channels. And ensure complaints/grievances are submitted to appropriate channels, addressed as per the SOPs and documented.

Monitoring and Reporting:

·         In collaboration with MEAL Officer and Manager, participate in fieldwork to conduct baseline, midline and end-line data collection, routine HMIS data, and other data collection that the project might undertake.

·         Support monitoring of progress towards programme indicators and milestones, ensuring timely collection and review of required data and information.

·         Proactively support and encourage programme beneficiaries to use the Complaints Response Mechanism (CRM), if they have any complaints to resolve issues as they arise as appropriate.

·         Compile and submit monthly narrative reports to Field Coordinator in the required formats and per the agreed deadline.

·         Undertake regular visits to the project implementation sites and report back with findings/recommendations.

·         Identify, document and share beneficiaries case studies, photos and success stories.

Coordination and Representation:

·         Represent Concern in relevant stakeholder forums such as meetings with local authorities and community leaders, keeping field Coordinator informed of discussion points, issues arising and agreements made.

·         Participate in other external, partner or Implementing level meetings at request of Field Coordinator or Social Protection Programme Manager.

·         Participate in Social Protection Working Group and actively contributing from field level experience and expertise at request of Field Coordinator or Social Transfers Programme Manager.

Other:

·          Any other tasks as may be reasonably assigned by Field Coordinator or Programme Manager.

·          Be willing to play a role in any emergency response activities Concern may implement at request of line manager or Emergency Coordinator.

Accountability 

·          In line with Concern’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS): 

·          actively promote meaningful community participation and consultation at all stages of the project cycle (planning, implementation, M&E); 

·          work with relevant colleagues  to ensure that the Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM) is functional and accessible, that feedback and complaints are welcomed and addressed; 

·          Work with relevant colleagues to ensure that information about CRM, safeguarding and expected staff behaviour is disseminated among programme participants and communities.

Concern's Code of Conduct (CCoC) and its associated policies

·         Adhere to the standards of conduct outlined in the (1) Programme Participant Protection Policy; (2) Child Safeguarding Policy; and (3) Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy.

Job Specification:

Qualification and Experience:

Essential:

·         Diploma/Graduate in Health, Nutrition Public Health, Nursing (preferred) or other discipline relevant to this JD.  

·         At least 3 years’ experience working with an NGO at Project Officer level

·         Demonstrable experience and some technical skills in Maternal Child Health or Cash transfer programming and an understanding of social Protection/safety nets.

·         Experience in community health program implementation, community strategy and working with community structures

·         Demonstrable understanding and practical experience of key principles of Accountability, Safeguarding and the Centrality of Protection.

·         Fluent spoken and written English and Somali language

·         Computer skills including MS Word, Excel, e-mail, internet.

·         Teamwork skills and the ability to build good relations both internally and externally.

·         Experience working collaboratively with community and local government representatives.

Desirable:

·         Past work experience in one or more of the following sectors: livelihoods (especially Food Security and Livelihoods, Health and Nutrition, Urban, fisheries, pastoralism), and Social protection.

·         Familiarity and experience with participatory approaches including interviewing/ FGDs and data analysis techniques and systems

·         Proven influencing and negotiating skills with internal and external audiences.

Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:

·         Ability to organize and prioritize workload, using initiative when appropriate.

·         Good team player, flexible and capable of working effectively.

·         Ability to cope with stress; work under pressure often to strict deadlines.

·         Flexibility, adaptability, and patience.

·         Facilitation and interpersonal skills.

·         Analytical and problem solving skills.

·         Commitment to Concern’s ethos and values, and to the highest levels of Accountability.

Disclaimer Clause

This job description is not exhaustive and may be revised by the Programme Manager from time to time.

How To Apply

Interested candidates, who meet the above requirements, should submit their applications (cover letter and updated CVs) by email to [email protected] with the subject line “Social Protection Project Officer” by Tuesday 30th May 2023.

ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the written test and interview. 

                  Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Code of Conduct and its Associated Policies

Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organization, and the standards of behavior expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.