Economic Recovery Officer

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Description

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As the Economic Recovery officer, you will be based in Gambella, with regular field visits to DRC target locations refugee camps and host community areas. Your primary tasks will include interacting with partner community and government organizations in the project locations to ensure the livelihood activities are implemented on time and in line with set quality approaches. DRC is seeking the role holder to possess the thematic food security and livelihood interventions; cash-based transfers, agriculturally based Economic Recovery (crop/livestock), graduation models, youth employment schemes, financial inclusion, climate adaptation and disaster risk management, resilience designs and social protection, among the expected area of strength. He/she should at the same time promote DRC’s values through various entry points in the project and preserve staff moral and enthusiasm for the project work.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Development and Management:

• Develop area Economic Recovery detail implementation plan in close with the Project manager and sector staff.
• Lead the implementation of area Economic Recovery interventions, including cash-based programming, agricultural programming, livestock, climate change adaptation, disaster risk management and small business development.
• Ensure that the food security projects are delivered according to DRC’s and donors’ contractual requirements and that all activities and deliverables are completed within the agreed timescale and budget.
• In collaboration with the relevant stakeholders and communities, organize the identification, registration, and verifications of beneficiaries.
• Closely work with area Economic Recovery Team leader and Manager in tracking the project procurement planning and financial forecasting
• Ensure that livelihood assistants and partner staff who will be working with you have the required understanding of food security and livelihood technical approaches.
• Collect and analyse market information pertaining to food security and Economic Recovery regularly.

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning and implementation of programme activities related to economic recovery activities. To this end, support the Economic Recovery Manager in producing and updating monthly work plans.
• Leads the overall implementation of sustainable agricultural activities including climate-smart agriculture, nutrition-sensitive agriculture and micro-scale irrigation schemes.
• Plan, supervise and facilitate DRC’s Cash and Economic Recovery-related interventions in the refugee Setting and host community areas.
• Ensure the high quality and timeliness of DRC’s Cash, Economic Recovery, and income-generating activities.
• Empower refugees and host communities to be able to manage their issues by themselves and have the ability to sustain Cash and Economic Recovery projects.
• Identify and communicate with the Manager on economic recovery needs in designated areas. Ensure to collection of both quantitative and qualitative information and data.
• Coordinate with Information Management colleagues and take an active part in the analysis of the collected information and data.
• Contribute to the quality of DRC’s community-based approach by effectively identifying and coordinating with community stakeholders, key informants and community members.
• Mobilize and build strong rapport with communities through consistent engagement with community-based structures and adhering to dignified, culturally sensitive approaches.
• Organizes, facilitates and participates in the planning and implementation of climate-smart agronomic practices, strategies and institutionalization of best practices and approaches within the project implementation areas and beyond.
• Provide technical support for agricultural nursery site, demonstration site and communal farm.
• Work with farmers to Improve access to inputs and strengthen the supply of improved seeds and farm tools.
• Develop an understanding of livestock production and productivity challenges and opportunities including livestock trade, animal health inputs and services to all relevant actors (public and private).
• Mobilize and build strong rapport with communities through consistent engagement with community-based structures and adhering to dignified, culturally sensitive approaches.
• Undertake community vulnerability assessment and process in target communities to define community gaps and provide the basis for planning.
• Facilitate planning, organizing, and management of village savings and loan associations (VSLAs)/ Income generation activities (IGA), and promote and aware VSLA/IGA strategy among communities and local leaders.
• Train DRC front-line staff and the clients on VSLA principles, procedures and actions, financial literacy and recording, and related topics.
• Develop work plans (Weekly, Monthly and Quarterly) to ensure effective implementation of VSLA/IGA related activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan.
• Identify and/or form and mobilize local structures such as VSLA/IGA groups, financial institutions and marketing groups in the villages and district.
• Conduct assessment on financial service providers, and challenges in reaching vulnerable group.
• Link the VSLA/IGA groups to Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) and Banks, Micro Financial Institutions (MFI) services for further financial access.
• Ensure all VESAs/IGAs are properly use and administer by the principles of informal and formal cooperative management and other applications through train members and provide technical supervision assistance.
• Regularly monitor and follow up and provide technical support to VLSAs/IGAs members and ensure quality practice and function per standard.
• Facilitate the identification of village level VSLA agents to enhance community awareness and ownership/sustainability of VSLA approach.
• Develop high-level technical advisory notes, concept notes, studies and facilitate workshops and develop training materials on Agricultural inputs.
• Develop and strengthen understanding of current livestock management, animal health, animal feeding, and livestock marketing.
• Analyse production and trade of live animal feed and fodder and current rangeland management practices, as these relate to the livestock industry, agricultural production, social and legal environment, and practices as well as all relevant actors (public and private) participating directly or indirectly in program.
• Supports communities and government partners to effectively plan and implement agronomic activities in the project supported woredas as set out in the project document.
• Ensure the involvement of stakeholders in participatory processes, development, implementation, and community enhancement activities in agronomy/irrigation schemes.
• Capacity building of staff, community, government, and other stakeholders in Climate Smart agricultural activities.
• Ensures the program’s sustainable agricultural activities, principles, values, and standards, and to the MOUs and donor Grant Agreement.
• Documents key sustainable agricultural activities lessons and share them with stakeholders.
• Assess, plan, track and report agriculture-related input supply, distribution, and utilization.
• Ensure the tools and materials procured for sustainable agricultural activities are properly delivered and used by the concerned bodies.
• Ensure networking, coordination, harmonization, and synergy of the program with other actors and initiatives operating in the program area.
• Identify key challenges related to agricultural inputs in the region and propose key interventions that involve government and private sectors.
• Prepares periodical implementation plans and field-level reports and submit to the field coordinator.
• Supervise the Economic Recovery Assistant(s) and ensure the quality of the activities.
• Coordinate with other departments in DRC to facilitate referrals and information sharing.
• Contribute to and provide field-related inputs for proposals for funding for new projects.
• Provide regular reports to the Economic Recovery Programme Manager and or DRC area office MEAL.
• Performs other activities assigned to him by the program manager.

Required experience and competencies:

• Understanding of agricultural and economic development programs, with specific knowledge of financial inclusion, income-generating activities (IGAs), village savings and loan associations (VSLAs), and cooperative development programs. Experience implementing these programs in the Gambella region is preferred.
• Knowledge of community development and crop calendars in the Gambella region.
• Skills in on-farm agricultural techniques and off-farm financial inclusion programs. Ability to provide training in these subject areas.
• Comfortable discussing sensitive topics and working with vulnerable communities.
• Familiarity with business grants is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including working with diverse staff and stakeholders.
• NGO experience supervising staff is desirable.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Personal integrity and ethics, including confidentiality.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, internet, email, and Windows.
• Good English language skills preferred.

Required education:

• BSc. With 2-3 years of experience in Agricultural economics, Agricultural Business, Cooperative Business Management, Agricultural Extension, and Rural Development relevant qualifications and level of experience are required and it also involves a master’s degree who have developmental economics and business-related qualifications.

Source: https://job.drc.ngo/jobs/job?id=169514

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