Programme Support Officer (PSO), SIDA-I programme 56 views1 application

REPORTS TO:  Programme Manager

REPORTING TO POST HOLDER: None

DURATION: One year with a probation period of 60days

BACKGROUND

Effective agriculture has the power to change lives. It underpins prosperity, food security and stability the world over. Farm Africa focuses on transforming agriculture and managing natural resources sustainably. We champion a holistic approach that boosts yields, protects the environment and connects smallholder farmers to thriving markets.

We work with different types of farmers in a range of regions. Their local situations vary, but the problems they face are all too familiar: lack of training and technology, inadequate inputs, no finance, vulnerability to climate change and poor links to markets.

We have an ambitious strategy to expand our work over the next five years. We’ll increase our impact. Lift more communities out of poverty. Work with more corporate partners who share our vision. Open up more agricultural markets. Provide more expertise.

We’ll make change happen.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The purpose of the Programme Support Officer (PSO) is to provide overall support to G4F program manager, Project coordinators and technical staffs in the day to day program/projects implementation. The PSO is contributing to ensuring G4F programmes and projects are delivered to the highest standard of project donor contract’s requirements, are compliant with GoE regulations, and achieve maximum possible macro and meso-level impacts as well as delivering value for money.  The PSO will work closely with the Program Manager, Senior technical staff and Project Coordinators to ensure that support functions are being delivered to a high standard and efficiently. The post holder coordinates and facilitates the delivery of support service functions to projects and ensuring that the use of these services is planned and delivered in a timely and efficient manner so that effective programme delivery can be ensured.

The post holder will have significant responsibilities in helping Programme Manager, Project Coordinators and other G4F program staff to develop annual budgets and activity plans in line with donor contracts and Farm Africa internal financial policies and procedures.  The PO will also be responsible for ensuring that donor and government progress and final reports are submitted on time, in the correct format. He/she will assist in planning and organizing quarterly projects/programmes review meetings as well as the annual Project Progress Review (PPR).

KEY TASKS AND RESPONISBILITES

Key areas of responsibilities are:

• Ensure procurements are done on time for each projects as per the quarterly procurement plan and purchase request by closely working with the procurement section of the country and field offices.
• Ensure that the necessary and appropriate resources are available, on time, to meet planning and budgeting requirements, including sub-contractors and consultants
• Organize and facilitate trainings and events such as donor and high level field visit programs, partners meetings, quarterly/annual partners review meetings, PPR, Q reviews, and workshops.
• Work with the finance team and the operational team in ensuring the preparation and submission accurate forecasting. , review BMR,
• Work with the finance team and review BMR and report to the PM in budget tracking.
• Support in compiling plans and reports as well as field visit reports.
• Assist in drafting and reviewing ToR for new recruitments and consultancy works.
• Provide hands-on support to PMs/PCs to ensure approved projects are delivered according to the contractual requirements of donors or other stakeholders.
• Attend various meetings as assigned by the Program Manager.
• Feed into the monitoring and evaluation process and plans to ensure these will be very effective in assessing and recording progress and results in innovative work areas
• Participate in monitoring of project implementation with team members and other partners and give heads up on a regular basis to the MEL expert
• Lead the team in the preparation and submission of draft periodical activity reports.
• Record minutes of meetings and report to the PM and other team members as necessary.
• Liaise with other partner organizations and team members to ensure the timely submission of reports, and ensure their compliance with agreed MoUs.
• Assist in project data collection and management of projects data base.
• Support in other tasks of the PM in the day to day program/project implementation
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

These essential functions are not to be interpreted as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related duties as required.

Our VALUES

Investing in smallholder farming is the number one way to combat poverty in rural Africa. Farm Africa is a leading NGO specialising in growing agriculture, protecting the environment and developing businesses in rural Africa.

EXPERT. Deep expertise and insightful evidence-based solutions are at the heart of everything Farm Africa does.

GROUNDED. Positive change starts with Africa’s people, so our experts work closely with local communities, engaging them in every level of decision-making.

IMPACTFUL. We take a long-term view so we can deliver lasting changes for farmers and their families.

BOLD. We model innovative new approaches and are not afraid to challenge strategies that are failing.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education, qualifications & other knowledge

Essential

• BA degree or MSC in relevant discipline
• Good understanding in project design, implementation, M and E and  financial management
• Fluent written and spoken Amharic and English

Desirable

• Project management/management, Development, Economics, sociology, and related

Experience

Essential

• Five years of work experience in programme management or senior technical support with donor, NGOs, or research institutions
• Understand the large donor (institutional) environment well, with extensive practical experience of dealing with this
• Experience of project planning ,implementation and monitoring and evaluation

Essential

• Five years of work experience in programme management or senior technical support with donor, NGOs, or research institutions
• Understand the large donor (institutional) environment well, with extensive practical experience of dealing with this
• Experience of project planning ,implementation and monitoring and evaluation

Skills & abilities

Essential

• Has a relaxed and open working style, works well individually as well as in a team; reliable at all times; proactive and imaginative
• Relationship building and management
• Network management and networking
• Highly  literate and eloquent
• Teamwork skills and the ability to work in a multi partner approach
• Skills in gender based analysis and approaches
• Able to multitask and works well under pressure; negotiates and meets deadlines
• A commitment to excellent support internally and to partner organizations and stakeholders; has a positive attitude and always looks for solutions to problems and challenges
• Excellent communicator – written and spoken
• Good computer skills

Desirable

• Including private sectors
• Effective presentations
• M&E systems