VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Concern Worldwide is an Irish-based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organization, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. Concern is currently recruiting the below post:

Job Code: 23-019-RH (You must quote this code on your application)

Job Title: Program Officer– Livelihoods (x1)

Location: Rivercess County

Reporting To: Program Manager – LIFE

Responsible For: N/A

Contract duration: Open-ended

Job Purpose: The new 5-year Irish Aid programme (2022/2026) called Livelihoods, Innovation, Food Security and Entrepreneurship (LIFE) is a food systems strengthening programme that will be implemented in Grand Bassa and Rivercess Counties. The Programme Officer will need to demonstrate expertise and experience working on agriculture programming for food systems strengthening. The position is responsible for direct implementation of community mobilization, trainings and direct liaison with local stakeholders at the field level including community leaders, and local government representatives. S/he will develop activity plans and monitoring schedules for all program activities in their districts of responsibility.

Specific Responsibilities:

Support participatory identification, development and dissemination of best agronomic practices (BAP) using Climate Smart Approaches (CSA), including the reduction of postharvest losses; Training farmers groups on identified agronomic practices and technologies, including establishing individual kitchen gardens, farm sites and demonstration sites, and promote their adoption by households and communities in the programme areas; Responsible for CSLA activities, including supporting the groups to identify Income Generating Activities (IGAs) to reduce poverty levels; Support the set-up and operationalisation of farmers’ cooperatives, management committees and Entrepreneurs of storage houses and piloted livestock projects ANSARM and some PARTNERS communities; Support PC and PM to liaise with MOA staff in selecting motivated Master Trainers and development of training modules, a critical aspect of the project design stage.

Community Mobilization, Sensitization and Education

Supervise field mobilization and organization of the communities to identify and analyse contextual problems, challenges and opportunities through participatory demonstrations under guidance of the programme team; Assist programme participants, and their community structures and government authorities to identify and mobilize local resources and skills required for attainment of sustainable development, with specific focus on the programme pillars; In collaborations with the local

government authorities, facilitate necessary trainings and capacity building efforts, with the support of the programme team; Support the PM and by extension the Programme Coordinator in identifying training packages that are relevant to the programme participants.

Mainstreaming Gender, HIV/AIDs, and other cross-cutting issues

Support contextual analysis of gender, HIV/AIDs and environmental issues, and ensure that they are adequately mainstreamed in all programme activities; Undertake activities in line with the programme objectives, to promote sustainable behavioural change, as it relates to gender and environmental practices that inhibit equitable and sustainable development of the communities.

Participatory Monitoring and Learning

Ensure that programme participants, and their local structures actively participate in, and undertake monitoring activities in order to address real local needs; Ensure that best practices and success stories are documented and shared with communication officer; Undertake routine monitoring of programme inputs, activities and outputs to facilitate identification of implementation gaps and keep programme fit for purpose.

Reporting and Accountability

Prepare routine activity plans, budgets and reports as required by the programme; Ensure all work done with communities is carried out in a manner that is respectful and sensitive to local culture, community needs and gender equality; Keep and maintain up-to-date Register of programme participants; Adhere to at all times to Concern’s global policies, guidelines and standards; Be aware of, understand and comply with all of Concern’s policies and procedures (P4, finance, logistics, HR, security management etc); Contribute to ongoing security management and planning as necessary; Actively participate in any emergency response if called upon to do so (within the existing programme area or in a new one); Undertake other related duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Country Director or the line manager.

Experience & Qualification:

• Bachelors’ degree in Agriculture, Food Security or other relevant qualification from a recognized university.
• At least three years of experience implementing agriculture, food security or livelihoods projects in Liberia with NGO(s) in rural areas. • At least 2 years of experience working to support the development of local agri-businesses/ and or knowledge on farming as a business to prospective entrepreneurs;
• Technical skills and competencies in at least two of the programme core areas, with focus on livelihoods, Agriculture, Food Security or Food Systems. • Community participatory appraisal and facilitation methods and tools.
• Flexibility to live and work in remote communities.
• Ability to work as a team with others, and with local stakeholders.
• Good interpersonal communication skills, with fluency in written and spoken English
• Computer skills, including hands-on use of the internet, Word, and Excel packages
• Possessing a driver’s license and motorbike riding skills

How to apply:

By email to: liberia.hr@concern.net with the JOB CODE 23-019-RH Program Officer– Livelihoods (x1) clearly in the SUBJECT LINE. By Hand to: HR Department, Concern Worldwide, Building Number-5 Andalucía’s Complex Compound Number-2, Between 6th & 7th Streets Sinkor Beachside, Behind Home City Furniture Store, Monrovia.

JOB CODE 23-019-RH Program Officer– Livelihoods (x1) clearly indicated on the envelope.

Applications must include the following:

• JOB CODE 23-019-RH Program Officer– Livelihoods (x1)
• A letter of application stating why you believe you are the best suited for the position.
• A copy of your CV (maximum 4 pages) giving active daytime contacts.
• Names and addresses of two (2) work-related referees with professional e-mail addresses.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 5:00 pm on Friday 15th September 2023.

FEMALE APPLICANTS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS VACANCY IS FOR INTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY.

Safeguarding at Concern: Code of Conduct and its Associated Policies

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

Concern Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all sections of society. While all applicants will be strictly assessed on their individual merit, qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.