Senior Program Advisor
09 Oct 2009 20:50:00 GMT
Deadline date: 23 Oct 2009 |
| Organisation: | CARE - Canada |
| Location: | 220170 |
| Type: | contract |
| Salary: | TBA (000's USD) |
| Description: | Senior Program Advisor LIFT 2 Project
Category:
Capacity Building Programme implementation Programme monitoring Project Development Project Management Teacher training Work Location: Sri Lanka(Jaffna/Colombo) Posting Restrictions: Family Accompaniment Permitted Contract Type 2 years Start date: October 2009 Job Summary LIFT -2 Project (Local Initiatives for Tomorrow ) has been designed and build on the foundation and experience of LIFT by applying the farmer filed school concept to building the capacities of a range of community-based organizations (CBOs) and complementing this with activities that enhance market linkages and access, and address discrimination that effects the target groups identified for the project. Based on livelihoods assessments conducted recently by CARE, the LIFT 2 project will target impact on smallholder farmers, poor fisher households, and households that depend on daily wage labor for their livelihoods, since these groups constitute the majority of the poor and marginalized in the program area. Special attention will be given to ensuring that women-headed households and unemployed youth are included in project activities. The main strategy of the LIFT2 Project will be on building the capacities of community-based organizations to directly tackle, and advocate on, issues that affect their members and communities, using principles of good governance. Contributing toward peace building objectives, the project will strengthen the abilities of CBOs to facilitate dialogue within communities to prevent and resolve conflicts. Finally, project experience from LIFT and information from livelihoods assessments both highlight the need to build the capacities of CBOs to plan for and mitigate natural and human-induced disasters such as floods and drought. Expanded disaster response capability will also enable them to respond more effectively to changes resulting from the conflict. LIFT 2 project while base its design on the farmer field school concept piloted during the LIFT 1, goes beyond the scope of LIFT 1 in terms of strengthening field schools to incorporate peace building and conflict resolution dimensions, addressing gender inequalities, facilitate market linkages and potential value added options for small producers, incorporating disaster risk reduction aspects as an component part of the overall program, and building and strengthening CBO capacities effectively negotiate with duty bearers for service provision and securing rights through consolidated institutional structures that empower the marginalized groups. Senior Program Advisor is responsible for providing technical advice to the Projects Director and the team to internalize and integrate above mentioned dimensions into an operational framework and assist in overall coordination and quality assurance of the LIFT 2 Project implemented in three geographic regions. Her/his major responsibilities include the financial oversight, preparation and timely submission of reports to donors and other relevant agencies. Senior Program Advisor will act as the main liaison person with the donor and will maintain good communication and relationship between the donor and the project. Senior Program Advisor will provide technical assistance to the information management unit of the LIFT 2 in developing and maintaining a comprehensive project database and provides inputs and advice on the preparation of and timely submission of area based quarterly reports to be submitted to the NGO secretariat through the PQL unit in Colombo. Senior Program Advisor LIFT project is responsible for facilitate generate learning, particularly on cross cutting issues such as gender, DRR, pro-poor market access and linkages, peace building and conflict resolution to benefit the Programming in conflict affected areas in close co-operation with Program Quality and Learning unit (PQL) of CARE Sri Lanka. The learning is partly to generate evidence based advocacy issues related to development programming in areas affected by the civil conflict. CARE Sri Lanka is in the process of organizational transition. This process is necessary as CARE moves from four years of Tsunami activities and into an era dominated by a different set of circumstances influenced by the completion of military operations in the North and East. In response to all these CARE is in the process of revising and reshaping its present business model. Shifting from a project to a program approach to its work to addressing the underlying causes of poverty and more emphasis on working with partners through strategic partnerships are some directions encompassed in this process. Senior Program Advisor is expected to be cognizant of these organizational developments and steer the LIFT 2 Project as an influential and pronounced component of development programming in areas under complex emergencies, integrate into the CAA Program umbrella to contribute towards achieving the country office LRSP objectives. Senior Program Advisor is also responsible for facilitating, coaching and mentoring the senior project staff to meet the quality standards and build capacities to develop second tire leadership. Responsibilities and Tasks Job Responsibility #1 - 30% of time Technical Support to the LIFT2 Project Director) Provide advice and Technical support to the Project Director and her/his team in the implementation of project strategies - Overseeing the project goal are achieved through proper direction and guidance to overall project implementation, monitoring and evaluation process - Support to develop multi-year plans and Annual Operating Plans - Participate and provide inputs in revising & preparing project plans and regular review with project director and staff - Provide technical advice to develop and implement proper Monitoring & Evaluation Plan based on the Log Frame indicators particularly at effect and impact levels. - Assist in the systematic analysis and documentation of project impact including synthesis and dissemination of lessons learnt to stake holders. - Participating and contributing to the development and implementation of overall country office strategy, program strategies, and county office Annual Operating Plan (AOP). - Responsible for tracking all project implementation reporting to Donors and other relevant parties are done on time - Assist in the development of future implementation plans include lessons learned from partners - Assist in developing a phase out Strategy. Job Responsibility #2- 20% of time Representation and Coordination for LIFT2 - Represent CARE with donors and UN agencies. - Attend relevant coordination meeting with the Projects Director or his/her designates - Assist coordinate CARE emergency and development projects to ensure effective integration and application of cross cutting issues - Identify strategic partnerships and programs for current and future activities of the LIFT 2 project Job Responsibility #3- 20% Administration/Finance/HR for LIFT2 - Responsible for financial oversight and ensure all financial records are in adherence to donor guidelines and CARE compliance systems. - Oversee sub grant management procedures to be aligned with donor compliance systems - Coach and mentor senior staff members and the team to help build their capacities in project management, quality assurance, reporting, and knowledge sharing. - Help build the project team build appropriate links across the organization Job Responsibility #4- 15% of time Reporting for LIFT2 - Responsible for ensuring the quality of donor reports according to the formats given, ensure the quality and timely submission of donor reports - Provide inputs and advice on the preparation of and timely submission of area based quarterly reports to be submitted to the NGO secretariat through the PQL unit in Colombo Job Responsibility #5- 15% of time Facilitate the integration of the lessons learned and results of the LIFT2 project into the broader framework for CAA programming, institutional learning and knowledge sharing - Facilitate consolidation of the approaches used, best practices and lessons learned in LIFT to influence development programming in conflict affected areas and the implementation of Programmatic shift within the CAA. - Work in close collaboration with the PQL unit to identify outcomes and impacts of LIFT project activities link to cross cutting areas such as gender & power relations, governance, conflict resolution and peace building, and disaster risk reduction to ensure application of best lessons and approaches within the LIFT methodology. - Facilitate cross learning between LIFT and other programs implemented in the dry zone, plantations and different districts in conflict affected areas to share experiences to improve the quality and impact of our work while eliciting common advocacy messages to make relevant policy changes at the regional and national levels. These messages may be linked to areas that CARE has identified as cross cutting to measure the impact of our work at organizational level. Working Conditions: Location: Jaffna/Colombo Expected percentage of time traveling: 25% Special Conditions: Jaffna peninsula and the Jaffna town is situated in the North. Colombo 9-10 hours by vehicle. At present there are limited communication facilities and limited restaurants, hotels and medical facilities available However, due to the ending of military operations and if the proposed development work to uplift infrastructure and the economy of Jaffna is taking place as planned along with land routes from Colombo to Jaffna open up for the public a speedy development of the area is expected. Education & Certification Undergraduate degree in Social Science, International Development, Agriculture or related field Minimal Requirements: 5 - 7 years work in the management of development programs using participatory approaches. Strong verbal and written communication skills in English; Project cycle management; Set-up of M&E systems and information management processes at field office level; Competencies: Maintains focus: Stays focused on work tasks and productively uses time and energy when under stress; deals well and maintains focus when faced with situations that cause ethical or value conflicts; deals well with distractions or interruptions; work effectively when feeling stress or pressure because of unclear or conflicting expectations Maintains relationships: Presents a positive disposition and maintains constructive interpersonal relationships when under stress; able to deal with difficult or challenging relationships and different work styles. Show respect for and learns from diversity: Demonstrates openness to new ideas, and values the uniqueness and richness of varying cultures and backgrounds. Demonstrates a willingness to understand changes: Shows willingness to understand changes in work tasks, situations, and environment as well as the logic or basis for change; actively seeks information about new work situations Shows persistence: Follows through even in the face of adversity and rapid change. Desired Traits: Master\'s degree in a relevant discipline Experience working in conflict regions. Knowledge on rights based programming Knowledge on livelihoods and rural economy Staff coaching skills Managing diverse teams Notes: We thank all candidates for the responses to this advertisement. However, we regret that we will be able to contact only short listed candidates. Contact Information Please apply online at www.care.ca or www.careersunited.org .You will need to register before submitting your resume. |
