Program Officer at Heifer International

Heifer International is an international development organization dedicated to improving food security and income opportunities for rural families while promoting sound stewardship of natural resources. As a private, non-governmental organization based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Heifer has created lasting change for farming households in over 125 countries across Latin America, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe for over 70 years.

Heifer International does so much more than put food in the mouths of hungry people. Heifer helps people feed themselves. The goal of every Heifer project is sustainability - project partners achieving self-reliance. And year after year, as partner families Pass on the Gift of knowledge and one or more of their animals' offspring to others in need, they become links in a network of hope, dignity and self-reliance that helps hundreds of others care for themselves.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Program Officer

Job ID: 1008
Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Function

We are seeking a dynamic, focused field coordinator to join our Naija Unlock signature program team.
With responsibility for the overall operation of the signature program within the jurisdiction of the field coordinator, you will have a proven track record in delivering projects, especially project set-up and partnership management, planning, coordinating, and reporting on implementation and ongoing monitoring, learning, and improvements to project delivery.
As a confident self-starter, you will have excellent communication skills, an eye for detail, and be a team player.
Additionally, you will demonstrate your willingness to work extensively in peripheral regions, liaising effectively and working closely with partners in the field to ensure successful project delivery.

Program Implementation (50%):

Support implementation of Naija Unlock program activities in the respective states
Coordinate project activities including analyzing project needs, developing and monitoring work plans and timelines; writing progress and evaluation reports.
Contribute to identifying and nurturing private and public sector partnerships in the respective states
Establish close and effective working relations with key organizations at the state level and ensure integration and coordination of agricultural development activities with other donor, government or private initiatives targeting agribusiness development.
Monitor the progress of the Naija Unlock program implementation at the state level
Provide input to Naija Unlock’s quarterly and annual reports, and work planning exercises.
Develop monthly activity reports.
Maintain excellent relationships with partners, government officials, and other relevant stakeholders.
Contribute to tracking and reporting systemic changes from Naija Unlock activities
Serve as Security Focal Points in their respective states.

Program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (30%):

Contribute to data collection, verification, or analysis feeding into Naija Unlock efforts at the state level
Support performance measurement surveys, including baseline, living income benchmarking and validation, tracking of project progress, annual surveys, and special studies.
Support articulation and dissemination of learning insights s from project monitoring, evaluation, and research processes.
Provide field-level oversight during annual surveys and other data-collection efforts
Contribute to identifying and analyzing lessons learned and best practices at the state, cohort, and farmer levels; contribute this feedback as part of the Naija Unlock Learning Agenda
Participation in weekly virtual management meetings (mostly by telephone)
Representation of Naija Unlock at relevant meetings, workshops, and donors’ events at the state level
Promote better communication among agencies at the state level, between state and local levels, and among the different local jurisdictions.
Develop new relationships with and collaborate with stakeholders at the state level.

Stakeholders’ Engagement (15%):

Coordinate stakeholder engagement activities, including focus groups, workshops, and other activities in their state
Liaison with key government line ministries and other key stakeholders in the respective states with the implementation of the Naija Unlock signature program
Promote and represent the Naija Unlock at state-level meetings and trainings.
Maintain excellent working relationships with and serve as a liaison to state agencies.
Effectively facilitate contacts and engagement with local partners that are collaborating with Heifer International in the respective states
Assist in networking with other development organizations, governments and other line agencies in promoting Heifer’s development model/initiatives, and potential collaborations.

Any Other Assigned Functions (5%):

Perform other job-related duties as requested.

Illustrative Key Performance Indicators:

Monthly updates of field operations and key achievements.
List of partners engaging with Heifer International in the state assigned.
State-specific training master sheet.
Mini database with output level results at the state level.
Updated calendar of field activities in the state assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum of Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture or related field with at least two years of post-NYSC experience.
Demonstrated experience in coordinating and working with international donors.

Preferred Requirements:

Three years or more of direct relevant experience in delivering agricultural development programs.
A good understanding of and sensitivity to issues associated with poverty, hunger, agriculture and the environment, and knowledge of the context in which non-profit organizations operate.
Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
Experience in cultivating partnerships with diverse stakeholders including government, private sector, non-governmental and civil society.

Most Critical Proficiencies:

Using persuasion and negotiating skills to influence outcomes including in challenging or sensitive circumstances.
The ability to confidently manage competing priorities and conflicting demands on your time.
Demonstrated proficiency in English, both oral and written.
Experience with ICT and proficient use of Microsoft Office packages.
Ability to work in a team.
Excellent organizational skills, including strong attention to detail.
Strong relevant networks within the state and experience in coalition building.
Working in a collaborative and coordinated way with colleagues both inside and outside of your team to achieve shared goals and visions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and evidence of using these to convey complex issues to a wide range of audiences and stakeholders.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness, and ability to incorporate innovative solutions.
Good writer, communicator, team player, and connector with the ability to make change happen.
Proven team leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to train and work cooperatively with diverse staff, including field staff in various locations.
Constant face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication with colleagues and the public.
Working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.
Ability to manage and execute multiple tasks with little supervision while meeting sometimes inflexible deadlines.
Willingness and ability to travel.

Essential Character Traits:

The ideal candidate should behave ethically; communicate effectively, demonstrate creativity / innovation; foster teamwork: compassion; generosity; humility, openness, eagerness to learn new skills and procedures, conscientiousness, and extraversion. Additional traits include self-confidence, loyalty and independence.

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

Application Deadline 17th July, 2023.

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