Purpose of the position:

The Project Officer – Livelihoods will be responsible for project implementation of field livelihood activities. The job holder will develop and implement all VSLA activities including guidance and training to successful formation of VSLAs, Rapid Appraisal of Income Generating activities, beneficiary training on small business / income generating skills. The incumbent will ensure regular visits to monitor activities and conduct timely reporting. The incumbent will work closely with leadership structures of refugees and host communities (Community Development Officers, LC, and RWC) in regard to savings and livelihoods. The incumbent under the direct supervision of the Area Operations Manager, will ensure that activities are approved, implemented, monitored and reported according to agreed project plan in line with the donor and World Vision Uganda (WVU) policies.

Major Responsibilities

Project management and sustainability:

Facilitate planning, organizing and management of VSLA related activities;

• Develop work plans to ensure effective implementation of VSLA activities.
• Facilitate identification and formation of VSLA groups among beneficiaries.
• Work closely with other livelihood projects in implementing the Saving for Transformation (S4T) approach
• Keep up-to-date with development issues and trends with regard to VSLA, community development in Uganda and refugee work.
• Responsible for financial cash flow planning and expenditure monitoring, approval of expenditures and related cost allocations based on approved project budgets.
• Maintaining effective coordination and working relations with donors and other relevant stakeholders at field level

Technical advice and skill development:

Identify technical capacity and challenges for beneficiaries, skills and knowledge they have in VSLA, business development and income generating activities;

• Facilitate establishment of village saving and loan groups among beneficiaries.
• Train beneficiaries on VSLA and S4T methodologies, including group governance and leadership, rapid appraisal of income generating activities.
• Oversee and monitor VSLA groups on share purchases, social contributions, borrowing and repayment of loans to ensure proper documentation and recording of VSLA cash box.
• Mobilize saving groups form saving and development clusters
• Ensure timely procurement of and delivery of right quality and quantity of kits.
• Assist in solving any conflicts within VSLA group members.

Stakeholders Engagement, Networking and Collaboration:

Conduct awareness on VSLA and IGA activities among communities and local leaders;

• Link VSLA groups to Vision Fund and other financial institutions to access financial services
• Facilitate and link VSLA members to trainings on life skills such as basic literacy and numeracy, household financial affairs, risk management and planning.
• Facilitate and link VSLA members to economic development and income generating activities.
• Make sure there is balanced gender representation amongst beneficiaries and leaders.
• Liaise with Resilience and Livelihood Specialist for all decisions related to VSLAs and livelihoods, and carry out other duties as may be assigned.

Documentation, Reporting and knowledge management:

Conduct regular follow up visits to VSLA groups, and their IGAs, and to members to see if they are applying the practices, and provide technical advice and mentoring.

• Track progress of the VSLA groups and keep records.
• Carry out quarterly meetings with beneficiary groups to assess performance at the community and project level.
• Facilitate data collection from saving and loan groups, and manage the information flow in the MIS database
• Support the preparation of VSLA groups own monitoring plans.
• Consolidate and compile monthly, quarterly and annual reports, inclusive of success stories and lessons learnt.

Child Protection and Wellbeing

Monitor the wellbeing and child abuse cases and report any incidents in line with child protection policy and guidelines.

• Work with local leaders to protect children from child violations and abuses
• Sensitize children including most vulnerable, guardians/parents and other stakeholders about children’s rights and responsibilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Minimum of Bachelor in Agriculture, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Micro Finance, Business Administration or any other relevant discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years’ professional work experience in project management, Livelihoods and microfinance enterprise development with vulnerable communities and familiarity with humanitarian programming and implementation.
• Experience in VSLA methodology, community and economic development, rural microfinance, enterprise development, linkage banking and livelihood programming is an added advantage
• Experienced facilitator and trainer, with training material development skills.
• Experience of data collection, collation, analysis, and report writing
• Professional, motivated, open, creative, mature, responsible, flexible and, culturally sensitive
• Strong leadership, organizational and analytical skills, and ability to work under pressure
• Excellent computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Excel, spreadsheets
• Track record demonstrating high integrity, innovativeness, creativity, reliability and dependable
• Team player, Self-motivator, able to work with limited supervision;
• Ability to ride a motorcycle with valid driving/riding license
• Effective in written and verbal communication in English. Ability to communicate in applicable local language(s) is an added advantage.

Submit your CV and Application on Company Website : Click Here

Closing Date : 22 July, 2020