Christian Aid (CA) Vacancy for a Program Assistant, Forestry and Natural Resource Management

Christian Aid (CA) is a UK-based international NGO, partnering with others to end poverty in Africa. At the heart of this vision is the transformation of the lives of people who live in poverty, empowering them to have a brighter future. Christian Aid works in more than 30 countries and has been operating in Nigeria since 2003. The Nigeria Country programme focuses on Community Health and HIV, Accountable Governance including humanitarian response and Gender.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:  

Job Title: Program Assistant, Forestry and Natural Resource Management Department: International Location: Monguno, Borno Type of contract: Fixed Term Contracted hours: 35 Contract length: 6 months Reports to: Program Officer Forestry and Natural Resource Management

Role Purpose

• The Programme Assistant Forestry and Natural Resources Management (PAFNRM) will be responsible for implementing all Forestry and Natural Resources Management (FNRM) project activities in the target communities in Monguno LGA, both directly and indirectly through training/mentoring of project Beneficiaries (PBs) and community volunteers linking up with BOSADP, other NGOs and private sector actors at the community level.

Role Context

• The PAFNRM should provide community project supervision, promotes and values participatory approaches at the community level throughout the projects’ cycle, awareness raising and sensitisation, and all related program activities, Pre and Post forestry related activities (tree nursery, pitting, transplanting and management of tree seedlings) Monitoring (PAM) as well as supporting monitoring and evaluation under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer Forestry and Natural Resources Management (POFNRM). During the absence of the POFNRM, the PAFNRM will wholly be accountable for the project under the direct supervision of the Program Coordinator Monguno.

Key Outcomes: Under the direct supervision of the POFNRM and in collaboration with the community volunteers and other team members of the program and of the base, the PAFNRM will:

• Facilitate initial community entry activities.
• Implement the community forestry and natural resources management project plans and make recommendations for approval of community project activities
• Co-facilitate step-down trainings with beneficiaries and community groups on various topics under construction of drainage ditches, tree nursery and tree planting as outlined in the implementation plan.
• Support beneficiaries and community groups to conduct assessments/project tree nursery and natural resources management activities to all especially women and youths in the communities.
• Work on facilitating partnerships with relevant tree nursery and natural resources management value chain actors and their service providers (Private BDS providers) Support activities on community disaster risk reduction, famer field schools, asset transfer and revolving fund management, community-based saving and lending groups opportunities. Ensure data collection on tree nursery and tree planting under technical guidance of the M&E officer
• Coordinate with community- LGA BOSADP Officers, other NGOs and private sector actors.
• Facilitate the training of beneficiaries on tree nursery and tree planting.
• Facilitate Natural Resources Management related surveys in communities on tree nursery and tree planting.
• Prepare action plans and provide direct support to beneficiaries through visits, in line with the action plans and as required.
• Facilitate links and referrals relationships between the beneficiaries and community groups and local sources of support.
• Ensure all documentation, reports, and records on tree nursery and natural resources management from the community are maintained per agreed procedure, and information is provided on community activities as required.

Indirect Implementation:

• Support Project Stakeholders to implement FNRM program activities in the target communities, as listed above, through:
• Co-facilitation of community training on various issues and topics on construction of drainage ditches, tree nursery and tree planting as outlined in the project implementation plan and training modules.
• Support the CAID Program Coordinator and stakeholders as required in externally representing the program to government agencies, other implementing partners and service  providers. Help establish referral systems with other service providers at the local level, to be utilized by community volunteers, beneficiary and community groups to refer beneficiaries for services not provided by this program.
• Support the community volunteers, beneficiary and community groups to explore opportunities for soliciting additional indigenous support to program beneficiaries from local resources through community and in-kind contributions
• Co-facilitate training activities for external agencies and private sector actors as required, and in line with the programme implementation plan.
• Work with the Finance, Admin, Logistics, Security, Procurement Officers, project partners, and community volunteers to ensure that all financial activities conducted in each community are properly documented in line with CAID policies and donor procedures.
• Work with LGA based project teams to model techniques and processes for community engagement under direct implementation.
• In subsequent stages of community engagement, provide mentoring and oversight for the activities of the beneficiaries and community volunteers.
• Maintain documentation and M&E systems at the community level: under the technical guidance of M&E officer, work with community mobilizers, beneficiaries and community groups to ensure that all documents for beneficiaries’ groups are kept up-to-date, accurate, and secured; and ensure that information is compiled as needed in an accurate and timely basis to assess progress against activities and outcomes for each community.
• Other ad hoc tasks as requested by Programme Coordinator.

Role Requirements Relationships:

• External: Build strong relationships with partners, networks, donors, stakeholders and community beneficiaries.
• Internal: Build strong relationship with program departments, FSL/WASH Staff, MEAL officers, program managers, M&E units and all in-country and global staff.

Decision Making:

• Make decisions to manage community gate keepers effectively, from identification of volunteers to the day-to-day management of community FNRM programme teams. Day-to-day decision to ensure community projects are running effectively and supporting the projects informed by Christian Aid's strategy and strategic focus areas. Make contributions around project proposals, ensuring they are prepared and comply with community expectations.

Analytical Skills:

• Works on complex issues. Problems and issues, risks and benefits may have implications across several project components.
• Required to develop new ways of doing things to better meet program goals requiring creative or analytical ability.

Developing Self and Others:

• Has direct responsibility for developing, coaching and motivating a community team.

Person Specification Applied skills/knowledge and expertise Essential criteria:

• Level of Education –Degree in Forestry, and in any relevant field with at least 2 years’ experience
• Must have substantial experience in implementing community-level development projects, using participatory engagement and grassroots mobilization techniques.
• Experience in handling field level project implementation and ensuring appropriate basic documentation and accountability at the community/field level.
• Excellent verbal communication and listening skills.
• Language Requirements: Spoken English-Excellent; Written English-Good (ability to type and prepare reports and other documents as needed.)
• Must be able to speak at least one local language predominant in that state.
• Experience working on value chain actors and their service providers (Private BDS providers)
• Sound experience working on disaster risk reduction, farmer field schools, asset transfer and revolving fund management, community-based saving and lending groups
• Excellent training and facilitation skills with a wide variety of groups having diverse experiences, backgrounds, skills, and education levels.

Desirable:

• Involvement in relevant value chain projects, and/or those involving vulnerable people, especially those with asset/cash transfer components and/or interventions.
• Experience in engaging directly with vulnerable people, facilitating women activities and/or facilitating vulnerable people’s participation in meetings, discussions, etc.
• Involvement in projects and/or initiatives that address issues of power, diversity, exclusion, participation, and gender.
• Ability to multi-task, engage in long-term planning, meet deadlines, and handles last-minute demands; exercise patience, and adapt to changing circumstances.

IT Competency Required:

• Basic

Competency Profile LEVEL 1: You are expected to be able to: Build partnerships:

• Work in a collaborative way that develops positive relationships and proactively provide help to others
• Treat everyone with courteousness, dignity and respect, recognising that people are different and have different views.
• Act and behave consistently with what you say
• Proactively participate in team work and contribute ideas, including those that may be beyond your own or your team’s role.
• Keep others informed about what is going on in your own work area.

Communicate Effectively:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.
• Explain things simply and in a different way if someone appears not to have understood.
• Be sensitive to and take responsibility for how your actions and words impact on others and adapt if necessary.
• Pass on messages or information promptly and accurately, ensuring clarity and understanding.
• Proactively question to clarify when needed.

Steward Resources:

• Be responsible for using resources economically, whether these are Christian Aid resources or wider environmental resources.
• Recognise that time is a resource and take responsibility and proactive measures for managing your time effectively.

Deliver Results:

• Agree your work plan and priorities, keep track of your own progress and keep others informed.
• Respond promptly to the requests of others, handling competing priorities and seeking guidance on these where appropriate.
• Consider the consequences of your actions, and take responsibility for the impact on your work, your colleagues and team objectives.
• Be accountable for your actions.
• Check the quality of your own work and deliver to expectations.
• Seek clarification and support from your manager when needed, ensuring appropriate sign-off.

Realise Potential:

• Acknowledge gaps in your own knowledge and skills and seek out information and advice in order to learn.
• Regularly ask for and act on feedback on own performance.
• Assist others by showing how to complete tasks and sharing knowledge.

Strive for Improvement:

• Demonstrate openness and willingness to embrace change, be flexible and adapt to new methods of working.
• Show initiative when faced with problems and proactively seek solutions.
• Willingly share knowledge and information that may help others.
• Respond quickly and positively to new initiatives.
• Find ways to make improvements in your work and ways of working.

Salary (full time) N3,187,627 yearly.

How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should: Click here to apply

Borno State, Monguno