Programme Officer Early Recovery and Livelihoods DRC

Programme Officer Early Recovery and Livelihoods DRC

Job Description

Job Purpose

The scope of the post falls into the following broad functions:

·  Early Recovery & Livelihoods programme management and development in line with the direction set by the Country Strategic Paper: in co-operation with partners, developing and managing CAFOD supported long-term development programmes[1];

·  Managing effective relationships with partners: developing and nurturing partnerships and providing or facilitating capacity development support, where appropriate;

·  Internal and external representation: of the DRC programme, in co-ordination with the Programme Manager and the Humanitarian Department, as appropriate;

·  Financial management and monitoring of projects: developing and managing budgets, and monitoring expenditure in line with agreed parameters;

·  Systems and compliance: ensuring the effective use of CAFOD’s systems to share programme knowledge and inform decision making. This includes ensuring compliance with agreements, regulations and requirements attached to our work;

Job Scope

The post-holder will be responsible for building effective working relationships with peers in the Programmes Department, as well as with colleagues in the Humanitarian and Programme Effectiveness Departments. This is in order to develop and maintain horizontal links, and to foster between programmes, learning, innovation, good practice, and fundraising within and between regions or areas of work. The role has also a number of cross-divisional and cross-organisational functions linked to work with CAFOD’s Education, Communities & Supporters, Fundraising, Finance, Media, Policy and Advocacy teams.

The post-holder will be expected to undertake frequent travel (approximately 12 weeks per year).

Accountability

This role reports to the Programme Manager

Key responsibilities

Programme management and development in line with the direction set by the CSP/RSP

·  In co-operation with partners, develop and manage CAFOD- Early Recovery & Livelihood programme (this includes long-term development and advocacy), contributing to the development and review of CAFOD’s DRC strategy and programme frameworks;

·  Jointly responsible with partners for the effective implementation, monitoring, evaluation (including facilitating external evaluations) and reporting on Early Recovery & Livelihood programme, in line with jointly agreed standards (programme cycle management) and donor requirements;

·  In agreement with partners, jointly develop programme and project proposals and assess the existing capacities to manage and implement the work. This includes leading on preparation of funding applications and reports for external funders, in liaison with the Programme Funding Team, and the development of partner capacity development plans to address capacity issues;

·  Promote, capture and disseminate learning from partners and programmes, and ensure that this informs future Early Recovery & Livelihood programme development;

·  Realise CAFOD’s principles by acting in line with CAFOD’s partnership standards, and by promoting and supporting partners’ adherence to jointly agreed accountability, gender, safeguarding children, supply chain management/procurement good practice, and other standards, as these emerge;

·  Contribute, where appropriate and in agreement with partners, to advocacy and information work in support of partners efforts, with relevant stakeholders in the country;

·  Oversee and support (where appropriate) the work of Programme Accompaniers, Programme Support Officers and consultants working on CAFOD-Early Recovery & Livelihood programme;

·  Respond to emergencies as they occur, as requested by the Country Representative, and in co-ordination with CAFOD’s Humanitarian Department;

·  Keep up-to-date with development issues and trends, both within the relevant sector, and more generally;

·  Monitor the political and security context to contribute to CAFOD’s organisational risk assessments and security plans.

Managing effective relationships with partners

·  Develop, nurture and manage relationships with CAFOD’s partner organisations in line with the principles and standards set in our Partnership Policy, guidance and tools, and in agreement with the Programme Manager;

·  Work with partners to regularly assess the quality of the relationship, ensuring that effective communication channels are in place, and that any shortcomings are addressed;

·  Invest in partners’ capacities, by jointly identifying needs, developing plans to strengthen capacities, identifying sources of support, and allocating resources. This can be through a facilitator or by direct provision of specific capacity strengthening support;

·  Support partners in accessing the tools and support required to successfully implement capacity development plans;

·  Organize (and where relevant accompany) partners’ visits.

Internal and external representation

·  In co-ordination with the Programme Manager develop, nurture and sustain relationships and effective communications with relevant stakeholders, including local government, national networks and other agencies working in DRC. This will include other Caritas/CIDSE agencies;

·  In agreement with the Programme Manager, sustain relationships with relevant bi-lateral agencies, including DfID and the EC, seeking opportunities for programme funding, where applicable;

·  Communicate with other teams within CAFOD to ensure that the Early Recovery & Livelihood programme is well understood, and that information is available for fundraising and other communication, including publications, media briefings, education, etc. This may involve participation in sessions/events with Supporters, communities of practice, working groups, etc., as agreed with the relevant manager.

Financial management and monitoring of programmes and projects

·  In close co-operation with the relevant roles in the finance and funding teams, prepare, manage and monitor budgets relating to both CAFOD and partner-led expenditure, as agreed with the Programme Manager;

·  Deliver the Early Recovery & Livelihood programme within agreed budgets or instigate budget revisions according to evolving needs, in line with CAFOD’s finance guidelines and procedures;

·  Develop relevant risk registers and monitor them in conjunction with the Programme Manager;

·  Where appropriate, commission and manage (with partners) audits for Early Recovery & Livelihood programmes and projects;

·  Carry out partner financial profiles and reviews, in co-operation with the finance team.

Systems and compliance

·  Effectively use CAFOD’s programme management information systems[2] to ensure the Early Recovery & Livelihood programme and project information are up-to-date. This will include producing management information to support decision making;

·  Ensure compliance with agreements, regulations and requirements attached to our work.

Thematic focus:

·  Develop Early Recovery & Livelihood programme in DRC to help poorest people and most marginalized communities to be able to minimise, survive and recover from crises, and get access to the basic services and resources in a sustainable way and dignity.

·  Complement partners’ thematic understanding on Early Recovery & Livelihood programme, contributing to the development of relevant interventions that bring about positive change.

· 

·  Support churches and non – churches partners to implement Early Recovery & Livelihood projects in eastern DRC and extend initiatives in the western DRC.

·  Respond to child protection issues and support other programmes in this topic.

Notes:

1.  This list of duties and responsibilities is by no means exhaustive, and the post-holder may be required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as required. This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification;

2.  If considered useful and appropriate, specific percentages per function/areas of responsibility can be assigned by agreement between the post-holder and his/her line manager.

Child Protection

CAFOD recognises the personal dignity and rights of children, towards whom it has a special responsibility and a duty of care and respect. CAFOD, and all its staff and volunteers, undertake to do all in our power to create a safe environment for children and young people and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse. CAFOD is committed to acting at all times in the best interests of children, seeing these interests as paramount.

Key Competencies

Essential
Understanding our context
A Understanding Catholic identity;
B Understanding CAFOD
C Understanding international development: Understanding and experience of international development and programme management and quality standards within this context / Working together
D Managing ourselves
E Working with others;
F Communicating; Able to communicate with colleagues and partners at a distance
G Looking outwards; Understanding of effective and values-based partnership work between northern and southern organisations and communities. / Making change happen
H Managing resources Computer literacy i.e. familiar with Microsoft word, excel and knowledge of information and database management; Budget monitoring skills
I Achieving results; Able to manage competing work demands
J Managing our performance
K Taking the lead / Job-specific competencies
I. Understanding and first-hand experience of institutional funding work/projects, priorities, trends and donor conditions;
II. Experience using programme cycle management tools effectively to deliver work within an agreed programme framework;
III. Able and committed to working with and developing the capacity of local partners organisations/ National NGOs;
IV. Financial management understanding and experience;
V. Ability and willingness to travel (approximately 12 weeks per year), sometimes at short notice and to areas of potential risk
VI. Knowledge to write and speak English and French fluently
VII. Experience in Early recovery, livelihood, protection, and sustainable development
Desirable
VIII. First-hand work experience with a values-based partnership approach (between northern and southern organisations and communities).
XI. Previous work experience in the country/province.

Levels required for this post

1.  Being effective

2.  Excelling

3.  Leading the way

Terms and Conditions

Contract / A two year contract, including a 6 months probationary period.
Salary / Grade 6a.1 : $ 27,089.16 per annum (including 13th month salary) with 10 annual increments.
Hours / 35 hours per week. Normal CAFOD office hours are 8.00 am to 4.00 pm with one hour for lunch. This post will require some weekend and evening work for which time off in lieu may be taken.
Holidays / A total of 34 working days comprised of 19 working days per annum plus statutory holidays plus 6 days determined by CAFOD at Christmas/Easter.
Notice period / Six months either way after completion of the probationary period.
Pensions / There is an optional contributory pension scheme (10% employer and 5% employee contribution). Alternatively, AFOD will make a similar contribution to a Personal Pension Plan
Other benefits / Medical insurance will be provided for the staff member and spouse plus children
100%.
Disabilities / We are committed to making every reasonable adjustment to the workplace or working arrangements so as to accommodate people with disabilities.
Location / The post will be based in CAFOD’s sub-office in Goma town / DRC

CAFOD is an equal opportunities employer. Recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to child protection.

Additional information

CAFOD

CAFOD is the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales. We work with partners in over 30 countries across the world to bring hope, compassion and solidarity to poor communities, standing side by side with them to end poverty and injustice. We work with people of all faiths and none.

We work with more than 300 partners overseas, and with partners in the UK - all working to tackle the causes of injustice and poverty. Inspired by Catholic Social Teaching and the experiences and hopes of people living in poverty, CAFOD works for a safe, sustainable and peaceful world.

International Division

The International Division aims to have a lasting impact on poverty and injustice through development and humanitarian programmes. The Division promotes learning, empowering communities and people in need regardless of their race, gender, religion or politics, and building links between CAFOD supporters and partners overseas.

Programmes Department

In close co-operation with partners,[3] the Programmes Department is responsible for developing and implementing effective programmes that aim to have a lasting positive impact on poverty and injustice. The Department does this by implementing Just One World (CAFOD’s organisational strategy) in our different working regions, and particularly by putting CAFOD’s partnership principles in practice (partnership standards)[4].

WAGL Team

CAFOD’s work in DRC forms part of the West Africa & Great Lakes Team (WAGL). The WAGL team also works in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Niger (with a current focus on humanitarian programmes), and Nigeria. The team is managed from London, UK, by the Head of Region/ Deputy Head of Region

DRC Programme:

To have a lasting impact on poverty and injustice through development programmes, advocacy, and humanitarian response. The D. R. Congo programme works with partners to promote learning, strengthen and empower communities and people in need regardless of their race, gender, religion or political affiliation.

The project will be implemented in 3 selected provinces of the DR Congo namely North-Kivu, South-Kivu and Katanga and will demonstrate through an effective learning and documentation process how this approach can make national responses faster, better quality and more effective; and ultimately how the humanitarian system can change for the better. The post holder will work with a small number of selected humanitarian partners to identify their capacity building priority and develop capacity building plans. The post holder will support local partners to strengthen their humanitarian programmes and prepare for emergencies through capacity building, accompaniment, and linking them to resources. The post holder will design, coordinate and facilitate participatory staff development and peer learning processes for partners. He/she will also represent the consortium publicly and identify opportunities for collaboration.

8/8 date

[1]Unless a specific mention to “long-term development programme” or other exception is made, the references to “the programme” in this Job Description reflect CAFOD’s intention and commitment to deliver through an integrated approach. Therefore, “the programme” generally includes long-term development, emergency response and advocacy.

[2] WebPromise

[3] See CAFOD’s partnership policy

[4] As referred to in CAFOD’s partnership policy