CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

In mid-2010 CARE Somalia/Somaliland initiated a change in its program structure and strategy - from working in technical sectors to working in more holistic programs focusing on the needs of particular ‘impact groups’. CARE has identified a number of particularly vulnerable groups in Somaliland, one of which is vulnerable rural women which the position report to. The Rural Women programming impact group are women headed families, where the husband is either absent, disabled or otherwise unable to contribute to the household livelihood that are particularly vulnerable. These women are particularly at risk of exclusion and marginalization. At the same time CARE identified that the impact of recurrent drought, excessive natural resource degradation and a lack of basic services are contextual factors that significantly influence the livelihoods of these rural women. These are causal factors behind many of them moving to cities and towns – often after losing most or all their livestock – and becoming part of the expanding population of urban poor. The aim of this program will be to work with these rural women and the communities they live in to address underlying causes of poverty, vulnerability and marginalization that affect them. CARE is looking for suitable candidate to fill the position of Senior Project Officer (Education)- Rural Women Programto be based in Hargeisawith frequent travel to other project areas.

I. Job Summary

The overall responsibility of the SPO- Education is to support education activities with the rural vulnerable women program including planning, implementation and evaluation of projects activities in Somaliland under the guidance and leadership of SOMGEP Initiative Manager and Area Managers. He/she ensures that efficient and effective systems and processes are in place to enable CARE to implement program activities in line with donor requirements. He/she will have frequent interaction with program technical, government and implementing partners.

II. Responsibilities

R1: Project Implementation

1.1 Lead all field work to conduct baseline, midline and end line studies, school assessments, and other studies that the project might undertake in the course of the project life.

1.2 Working with the program staff, MOE, and communities to identify support to target schools based on the assessment of need in all the districts of project operations.

1.3 Ensure that all the beneficiary communities participate fully in all the project work particularly in the prioritizing of community needs.

1.4 Working with the project team and MOE ensure that project intervention target marginalized children with special emphasis on the girl child.

1.5 Train and coach CECs and head teachers in the development of School Improvement Plans in collaboration with regional and district education officers.

1.6 Working closely with the project engineer, ensure that all construction/rehabilitation works are in line with the designs and BOQs and are of high quality and meet the child friendly school criteria.

1.7 Ensure that project intervention give special attention to the needs of girls and for children with special needs.

1.8 Working with CECs, school heads and Ministry of Health and MOE to promote life skills, hygiene and nutrition awareness among young learners especially girls in upper classes.

1.9 Collaborate with other rural women program activities for synergy in the implementation of project activities.

1.10 Design an overall operational plan for each region in consultation with the Regional Education Officers, CECs and other stakeholders.

1.11 Oversee the overall implementation of activities of SOMGEP project in accordance with requirements stipulated in the project documents.

1.12 Provide support to Project officers responsible for the implementation of SOMGEP in primary and secondary schools in both the Rural Women Program and the Urban Youth Program.

1.13 Assist Area Managers and Initiative Manager in producing project cash flow on monthly basis as per CARE minimum standards and donors’ requirements

1.14 Ensure that education program is implemented in close coordination with MOE and other actors of education projects

1.15 Establish good working relationship with MOE at regional and district levels, teachers and CECs and ensure that they take the leading role in planning, managing and monitoring of project activities.

1.16 Ensure that project procurement is properly planned and put into the Pamodzi system.

1.17 Work closely with the procurement officer to follow up the procurement process of the project goods and services.

R2. Partnership & Capacity Building

2.1 Train, support and coaching of education mentors, teachers and Community Education Committee (CECs) in order to ensure quality delivery of programs.

2.2 Ensure the implementation of SOMGEP project promotes capacity building to the maximum degree possible for local communities, MOE, CBOs and government staff and agencies.

2.3 Training and capacity building of CECs to oversee the management and administration of project schools.

2.4 To manage delegated budgets as require in liaison with the Area Managers to ensure that all project funds are spent in accordance with CARE and donor policies..

R3: Project Monitoring and review

3.1 Collaborate with the regional and district officials of the MOE to oversee project implementation.

3.2 Organize and participate in quarterly monitoring and evaluation of projects.

3.3 Ensure that project/program monitoring and evaluation system/tools are applied and project progress (activities and outputs), results and immediate objectives (outcomes) and impacts are systematically tracked, documented and shared as appropriate on the basis of CARE and donors’ requirements.

3.4 Travel to project sites of Education program and conduct regular monitoring of projects together with MOE and project team.

3.5 Ensure the participation of beneficiaries in M&E of project activities.

3.6 Provide technical assistance to REOs, DEOs, teachers and mentors through developing standards, monitoring/supervision tools, guidelines and trainings and other mechanisms to ensure quality of primary education.

R4. Reporting and representation

4.1 Ensure the timely production of quality monthly and quarterly reports by collating reports of different field locations into one report and submission to Area Managers or other Key management staff.

4.2 Document programme learning and disseminate lessons learned to key stakeholders in the field.

4.3 Prepare reports on each field visit conducted and submit to the report to Area Managers or other key management staff.

4.4 Prepare case studies and success stories in the course of your work with the project.

4.5 Represent CARE in all relevant forums, stakeholders such as local authorities, community leaders, representatives of NGOs, UN agencies and government issues related to education sector.

R.5 Others

5.1 Undertake any other duties as assigned by the area managers or other key management staff.

5.2 Perform other related tasks as requested by his/her immediate supervisor.

5.3 Account for CARE’s assets and interests and safeguard from loss arising from fraud, waste, weak administration and poor value for money

5.4 Carry out the responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects CARE’s commitment to delivering service to the needy beneficiaries.

5.5 To bring to the notice of the Area Managers any discrepancies, serious incidents or any urgent information which may need serious consideration regarding day to day program activities

5.6 To fulfill any additional assignments as deemed necessary by the organization.

III. Decision- Making authority

None

IV. Key Relationship /contacts

CARE sub – office staff

Staff of other CARE projects

Line ministries – MOE, MOLSA, MOH, MORA etc

Local partner organizations

Local authorities

CECs and communities

V. Direct Reports

None

VI. Working Conditions

Based in Hargeisa and requires substantive travel to project sites covering all the regions of Somaliland.

Required Qualification

· University degree in social sciences or any other related field.

· At least 3 years working experience with INGOs in Education

Person specification

· Strong command of English

· Good interpersonal and communication skills

· Good computer skills MS and Excel

· An individual with initiatives and strong team work skills

· Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups

· Establish courses of action for self and others to ensure work completed efficiently and effectively

Interested candidates who meet the criteria above are encouraged to send their application letters and detailed CVs to hrhargeisa@som.care.orgby2^nd November 2014 @ 3:30 pm**. Please indicate**‘Senior Project Officer (Education) – Rural Women Program’as the subject line of your email. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

CARE is an Equal Opportunity Employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.