Livelihoods Officer

Job Description

Community Organisation for Poverty Alleviation in Zimbabwe (COPAZ), a Private Voluntary Organization is looking for a suitably qualified and experienced Livelihoods Officer to implement a Livelihoods project in Tongogara Refugee Settlement pending confirmation of funding. The Livelihoods Officer will work closely with the Social Worker to strengthen the project logic of linking Livelihoods with mental Health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). He/she will be stationed in Tongogara Refugee Settlement in Chipinge District and should be willing to live and work in the Settlement.

Position: Livelihoods Officer
Reporting to: The Programmes Manager
Duty station: Tongogara Refugee Settlement in Chipinge District
Duration: Fixed Term Contract
Deadline: 24 June 2024

Duties and Responsibilities

Planning, Implementation and coordination

 Assist the Programmes Manager in developing and implementing detailed work plans which identifies and sequences
the activities needed to successfully complete the project.
 Facilitate the selection and registration of targeted children and youths for the project and maintain a project database.
 Designing and implementation of livelihoods needs survey for forcibly displaced children and youth (FDCYs).
 Ensure the implementation of the livelihoods programme against annual work-plans, targets, time-plans and result indicators
 Responsible for the development of handbook and training modules
 Organize and conduct livelihood trainings and meetings in the Settlement
 Organize and facilitate Entrepreneurship and IGA trainings for young people in the Settlement.
 Facilitate the procurement and distribution of start-up kits for IGAs with relevant records and documentation

Providing mentorship and technical support to IGA groups

 Developing business plans for income generating activities (IGA) businesses and provide mentorship and coaching for various business groups for sustainable livelihoods.
 Develop cash flow projections for Entrepreneurship and IGAs
 Advise and assist young people in business development, product marketing and business records
 Supervise Livelihood groups and directly monitor sales of produced products and usage of petty- cash by project participants.
 Conduct regular meetings with Entrepreneurship and IGA groups to discuss successes, challenges and way forward

Organising and facilitating Market Linkages

 Conduct market research and facilitate the marketing of project products
 Linking all established young entrepreneurs with internal and external markets.
 Organise and facilitate product and service marketing in public events
 Conduct a market reconnaissance with the help of the IGA group leaders
 Facilitate the invitation of potential buyers and interested parties to visit the young people’s projects.
 Facilitate the production and distribution of gender-sensitive information, education and communication (IEC) materials to the project participants to raise awareness on the right of women to access markets.
 Organize and conduct “Look and learn” visits to non-project companies in their professional field in order to gain practical experience and identify opportunities for improvement.

Documentation, Reporting and knowledge management

 Keeping and updating all project records and ensure that the correct quantities, excesses and lost quantities (if any) are recorded.
 Document day to day project activities and identify possible gaps, challenges and recommendations for future improvement.
 Documentation and sharing of impact stories, best practices, case studies and lessons learned for reporting and evaluation purposes
 Report on any safety and security incidents and wrongdoing/safeguarding issues
 Compile and submit comprehensive weekly and monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports, and specific activity reports, stories of change and any other reports when necessary to the Programmes Manager in a timely manner.
 Conduct monthly regular meetings with IGA groups and stakeholders to discuss successes, challenges and way forward

Networking with stakeholders

 Representation in community meetings and livelihood cluster and act as COPAZ focal point for Livelihoods in Tongogara Refugee Settlement.
 Coordinate and liaise at operational level, with local authorities and other development partners in the Settlement and provide information regarding beneficiary registration, distribution plans, and project progress.
 Participate in partner network meetings at field level
 Any additional tasks assigned by the Programmes Manager

 A degree in Agriculture, Development studies, Project Management or related field
 A Master’s degree in any of the fields above is an added advantage
 A Clean Class 4 Driver’s Licence
 Computer proficiency in Ms Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other packages
 Minimum of 3 years of experience in development/humanitarian work
 Proven work experience as a Livelihoods Officer working with IDPs, refugees and asylum seekers is required
 Knowledge of income generating activities (IGAs), small and micro enterprises (SMEs), agricultural and livestock production, marketing and value chains interventions.

Key skills

 Ability to relate and communicate with diverse population and groups
 Ability to understand the cultural context of the community, and use that culture as an input for community mobilization.
 Excellent technical understanding of livelihoods
 Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including patience, diplomacy, willingness to listen to others.
 Must be flexible, willing to perform other duties and work irregular hours.

How to Apply

Interested Candidates should send their application letter and Curriculum Vitae to the Programmes Director at gchikangaise@yahoo.com and/or gchikangaise@copaz.co.zw clearly indicating the position applied for on the subject of the email not later than Monday 24 June 2024 before 0900hrs. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.